Eco-tourism: Future of Nepal's Tourism
Ecotourism in Nepal is based on three premises – (1) promoting people participation in planning and management of tourism resources; (2) increasing community development, nature conservation and tourism linkages; and (3) using tourism incomes to safeguard resources on which it is based. In brief, ecotourism has become an essential part of an integrated program designed to benefit as many people as possible without destroying the local resource base and the experience of visitors willing to pay the price for conservation.
Nepal has been practicing environmentally sound tourism for many years. As Nepal's tourism depends on ecology, people of Nepal are conscious about the conservation of ecosystem. The Country's Ninth Plan's, Policy and Implementation strategies include promotion of Eco-tourism. Programmes such as development of model tourist villages, development of new trekking areas comes under these strategies.
Nepal's Ninth Plan has following points for Environment Protection:
Local government bodies and private entrepreneurs will be mobilised to maintain environmental quality conducive to tourism. They will co-ordinate with concerned government agency to monitor tourism activities.
A multiple co-ordination mechanism involving the central government, local governments, social organisations and the private sector will be developed for the conservation of environment in sensitive areas.
Local government bodies will be activated to keep tourist areas beautiful and free from pollution. Local bodies and the private sector will be encouraged to set up rest houses in tourist areas on a fee charging basis.
An environment code of conduct will be formulated and the private sector will be required to adopt it.
Pollution control measures will be developed and specially monitored in eco-sensitive activities such as trekking and mountaineering.
The inner parts of the Kathmandu valley which are the sites of historical and religious importance will be designated as pedestrian only zones, restricting the entry of vehicles.
Whereas, the tenth plan is focussed to review tourism policies, assessments of net contribution to economy from tourism, review of institutional performance, Nepal's tourism policy, regulation and institutional arrangements. It will also focus to develop tourism infrastructure in remote areas which will ultimately help to develop domestic tourism in Nepal.
His Majesty's Government of Nepal, is always supportive not only on policy level but it provides grant assistance for the environment protection activities. Under Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation there is an Eco-tourism project in Rolwaling Region with the Austrian assistance. Eco-Himal, an Austrian NGO is implementing the project. With the Asian Development Bank's assistance second Tourism Development Project is going on. Under this project an Eco-tourism development activity in Manasalu region is in implementation. His majesty's government realizing increasing stress on the natural environment has introduced a legislation that requires tourism service providers
to compile Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to be submitted mandatory. This is to keep an eye on the environmental degradation, if any, transpiring in these areas.
Private institutions regularly conduct training courses on Eco-tourism. Their policy is to protect and make environment clean. Apart from these the NGOs involved in tourism promotion have great commitment to conserve environment.
It is believed that through Eco tourism development employment generation and wealth distribution can be possible. Nepal will use its experiences in developing sustainable tourism, associated with mountain trekking, where Eco-tourism is an appropriate development strategy for poverty alleviation and conservation.
His Majesty’s Government of Nepal (HMG) recognises tourism as a priority sector, and it is a major contributor to Nepal's economy, generating about US$170 million annually and attracting just under half a million foreign visitors - 463,646 - in 2000 (MoCTCA 2001). Tourism provides direct and indirect employment for over 300,000 people, is Nepal’s major earner of foreign exchange dollars and represents 15% of total export earning. (Nepal Tourism Board 2001) According to the Ninth Plan of HMG: “Tourism will be developed as one of the key sectors enhancing employment and as a key sector for economic development. The expansion of tourism to villages will contribute more to the economic development.” (Ninth Plan of HMG pg 64) Clearly, the tourism sector is considered by HMG as a key to strengthening the national economy, improving living standards and reducing poverty. Tourism contributes 4 percent to GDP and 20 percent to foreign currency exchanging.
Tourism and Ecotourism Development in Nepal
Nepal has less than four decades of experience with tourism development. At the beginning, tourism activities were concentrated only inside the Kathmandu valley. As the years passed, the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions started becoming popular trekking destinations amongst organized group trekkers (OGTs) who were later followed by free and independent trekkers (FITs). The growth in numbers of FITs led to proliferation of teahouses and lodges along all major trekking routes in mountain areas.
This changed the nature and impacts of tourism on the country forever. Within a span of three decades, the number of tourists, and for that matter, trekkers visiting Nepal has increased by several- fold, from around 6,000 in 1962 to over 460,000 in 1998. Over the years, tourism has become the number one source of foreign exchange.
It is an important sector, particularly in mountain areas, for generating income and employment opportunities, but is not without its costs. It is with the increase of tourism that the pressures on the country’s rich bio-diversity started to intensify. The magnitude of deforestation and increased pollution in all major trekking destinations became a matter of grave concern. It was in this context, for the first time in 1986, that the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) under the aegis of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) was designed to address key concerns.
Over 80 percent of all visitors come for holiday / pleasure or trekking / mountaineering purposes. Further, over 50% of visitors cite natural attractions as a key consideration factor in choosing Nepal as a destination and a further 38% come for trekking. Mountaineering expeditions are also important to Nepal’s remote area economy. In 2000, 132 mountaineering expeditions came to Nepal representing revenue of US$9.74 million up from 115 teams in 1999.
Who are involved in Tourism in Nepal ?
Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) is responsible for policy, planning, licensing, regulations and overall monitoring of the tourism industry in Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) undertakes planning and product development, international and domestic promotions and tourism research and advisory functions for MoCTCA. Other key government agencies are the National Planning Commission (responsible for national level planning on a five yearly basis –currently the Ninth Plan) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (responsible for park management and park entry fees. The tourism industry in Nepal has formed itself into about 20 different industry associations which take an industry wide approach. Apart from these, there are many national and international NGOs, for instance, IUCN, KMTNC, KEEP, SNV, TMI, WWF Nepal Programme, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Association of Tour and Trekking Agents, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents which are highly skilled with long experience. The Sustainable Tourism Network (STN) is an innovative and progressive organisation in Nepal. It is an open and inclusive network which brings together many of the key stakeholders such as IUCN, WWF Nepal, ICIMOD, Aqua Birds Unlimited Camp, Eco Himal, Park People Programme etc., but not exclusive to, those mentioned above. It includes participants from all these various stakeholder groups in order to share lessons learned, increase co-operation and partnership, create awareness, contribute to understanding, and encourage best practices in the field of eco-tourism and community based eco-tourism (CBET). This network, based in NTB, works as a catalyst body in national level and has been successful at increasing cooperation and partnership within the tourism industry in Nepal.
After the restoration of democracy in the country in 1990, His Majesty’s Government has adopted a series of policy to promote tourism in the country. As a part of liberalization policy, the government has allowed the people to open and operate hotels in the different parts of the country. But even before the dawn of democracy the government allowed the private sector to operate the resorts and hotels in the national parks with specific guidance regarding environmental impact in the nature. During this time in 1962, the prestigious visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to Nepal was announced. A visit to the Royal Chitwan National Park was also included so after hurried preparations, the new Meghauli airport was inaugurated and also heralded the introduction of the Dakota aircraft.
It was after the success of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1962 at Chitwan that Copeman, a foreigner with long term vision came up with the bright idea of starting a permanent hotel / lodge in the jungle. Having earlier been very impressed with the concept of jungle resorts on his visits to Africa, he saw a similar opportunity here. Based on Tree Tops, Africa, he named his venture Tiger Tops and started preliminary operations there on a trial basis.
The success of this park prompted both the government and long term visionaries to declare it a National Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. In 1973, it was declared a National Park. Subsequently the Government also realized that the Park should be opened to tourists as exposure and finance was both needed for the park’s sustainability.
In 1988, under the present King’s direction, seven concessionaires from the private sector were granted license to open hotels within the park on the basis of services, carrying capacity, proximity, and other factors. The facility was granted considering the importance of the Private sector who had developed long term vision in terms of protection, preservation as well as economic benefit. It was firmly established that the participation and support of the Private sector and the community was equally essential for the Forest Protection measures taken up. In addition, it would be their responsibility to provide along with participation from the community, economic benefit through employment and other related sources, support in education, health and sanitation. On top of this, the service of the Nepal Army was equally imperative. So in a way these hotel owners were taking a big risk investing so much without actually knowing how successful the venture would turn out to be. Strict codes of jungle conduct were maintained along with conservancy measures, which led to them being acknowledged as Quality Tourism providers.
International guests endorsed the quality and the activities of these hotels, which made the management even more responsible and vigilant towards hazardous activities on their premises.
It has to be admitted that the Department of Forest & National parks in conjunction with the resorts operating within the jungle have understood that just termination of poaching and logging is not enough. The only way wildlife parks can be kept intact is through a system devised with set rules and practices to be followed by those in authority and related to it in any way. In a bid to achieve Sustainable Tourism, the park has taken up conservancy measures involving proper jungle conduct and managed to implement laws and practices slated for financial gain for the park. General awareness has gradually prompted the villagers to give up their dependence on the jungle and slowly shift to other occupations like working as local labourers, with livestock and in piggery for their livelihood, which in turn has upgraded their very lifestyle.
There is no tourism without conservation therefore it is essential that all products of Tourism thrive in a healthy environment and are supported by sustainable measures.
Quality plays a vital role in terms of price, discipline and number of visitors. The mandatory fee is to ensure quality of services and to provide skilled manpower dedicated to conservation. Our experience has proved that it is feasible and practical to combine tourism and conservation together for complementing and supplementing each other. Special emphasis should be given to classify areas of the national parks through research and on this basis, consistent with the preservation of the area, individual restrictions should be made as to differentiate the type of tourism activity it is liable to support. The wildlife authorities should be alert in evaluating the carrying capacity of the area.
So, while admitting that the concessionaires may earn through their respective hotels, it is also necessary to note that 50% of the taxes paid by the resorts is ploughed back for the welfare of the community. This act has significantly contributed in enhancing understanding among the Government, the lodge owners and the locals who have gradually come to acknowledge and appreciate the serious efforts made by the owners and have inculcated deep trust in them. The experience has become a textbook case in the history of conservation, and appreciated by conservationists the world over. India and South East Asia have been desperately trying to copy the system that has been adopted by the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife. Consultants from Nepal are being frequently invited to give talks on the subject in order to develop a similar successful project for Conservation.
While appreciating the sincere efforts of the Government, keeping the Royal Chitwan National Park in pristine condition, with or without tourists is a mammoth task by itself. Natural calamities and gradual deterioration of the environment due to the ravages of time have caused serious problems. It is high time everyone wakes up to the gravity of the situation and the concerned authorities come up with effective and stringent laws to end all activities leading to long term hazards.
Instead of indulging in frequent bickering and mud slinging among the concerned parties, it is imperative that all put their heads together and works for the betterment of these areas and the entire Bio-diversity.
Endorsements and appreciation from well-known celebrities like Prince Charles, Hillary Clinton, Robert Redford and Goldie Hawn to name a few, including scores of dignitaries and ministers from all over the world have certified the exclusiveness of this premier product. Wildlife and environment researchers have also admitted the serious efforts of both the Government authority and committed individuals behind the success of the park.
Since we are at the juncture where tourism and conservation are two parts of the same coin, it is up-to us to combine conservation and development to work harmoniously together for the economic benefit of the entire Kingdom of Nepal.
Nepal has long experiences in Eco-tourism. So it desires to develop this as a vehicle for supplementing other similar programmes in poverty alleviation of the country. With the technical assistance of Asian Development Bank a comprehensive project document for Eco-tourism project development is completed. This proposed ADB funded project will help to support the infrastructure development namely, for reconstruction of the airfields in various parts of Nepal which is an essential component to develop ecotourism. Similarly, this project will also help in capacity building of various ecotourism related software components, such as, development of trekking, trails, skill development trainings etc.The government of Nepal will be implementing this project to strengthen eco-tourism activities in Nepal. Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP) is already in operation with the financial assistance of UNDP, DFID & SNV. The main objective of this pilot programme is to support for the review and formulation of tourism development policies and strategic planning. The programme will focus disadvantaged, approved and discriminated section of Nepal's rural women and men, lower casts and ethnic minorities. The programme will develop strong backward and forward linkages and will bring grass root participation in decision making process so that the benefits can reach the poor in rural communities. It is expected that his programme will demonstrate tourism models for sustainable tourism development in Nepal.
The policy outcome of this project guides to develop Eco-tourism policies in the future. Finally, Nepal is in the process of developing its Tourism Master Plan with technical support of World Tourism Organization (WTO). We hope a comprehensive plan will help to streamline the long pending issues related with ecotourism.
Success stories
Success story of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) :
In 1986, the King Mahendra Trust for Natural Conservation (KMTNC) launched the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the first and largest conservation area in Nepal, covering 7629 Sp. Km. as an innovative concept in the protected area management system of the country. The programme has changed the traditional subsistence activities into a framework of sound resource management, supplemented by conservation, development of alternative energy programmes to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and to enhance the living standards of the local people.
ACAP draws about 62% of the country's total trekkers (107,960 in 1999). It follows the principles of maximum people's participation, sustainability and a catalyst (facilitator) role. ACAP is spread out in 5 districts of the Western Development Region of Nepal and covers 55 VDCs. It is divided into 7 unit conservation offices located in Jomsom, Manang, Lho Manthang, Bhujang, Lwang, Sikles and Ghandruk. The focus of Jomsom, Manang and Ghandruk, which are also popular areas for trekking, are on integrated tourism management and agro- pastoralism. The programme priorities for Bhujang, Sikles and Lwang are poverty alleviation and integrated agriculture and livestock development, agro forestry and community development. The focus in Lho Manthang, upper Mustang which came under the jurisdiction of ACAP in 1992 has been on managing controlled tourism on a sustainable basis and promoting.heritage conservation, which is the major tourist attraction along with alternative energy, resource conservation and community development programme. The Conservation, Education and
Extension Project (CEEP) is being implemented in the entire ACAP and forms the backbone of all the conservation efforts in the region. ACAP has completed and is implementing the recommendation of its management plan that emphasizes building the capacity of local institution to carry out ACAP's present activities. The legal framework for ACAP is provided by the conservation Area Management Regulations 1997; which is approved by HMG/N. The conservation Area Management Committee, which is formed under the above regulation in each village development council, is entrusted with the responsibility to manage, utilize and protect all the natural resources within its own respective VDC.
After successful ACAP it is now turn of Kanchanjungha, Dolpa, & Humla in Himalayan region and Palpa and Lumbini in Mountain and Terai region respectively.
Success stories of other similar projects Nepal takes pride of :
1. Sagarmatha cleaning Campaign: His Majesty's Government has been always positive not only on policy level matters but also provides grant assistants for the environment protection activities in Sagarmatha region.Various projects and NGOs such as Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) have been actively working on to preserve and rejuvenate both natural and cultural heritage of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest).
2. Prior to the Upper Mustang Project, which is an extension of the ACAP programs, the main focus of ecotourism initiatives was to mitigate undesirable environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism. The approach, therefore, was rather reactive. However,
with the Mustang Project, Nepal got an opportunity to test many of the ideas and lessons learnt from other projects dealing with tourism and integrated development programs proactively. The Upper Mustang area was restricted to visitors until 1992. It falls in the rain shadow area of the Annapurna range and does not have significant forest cover. The majority of people either depend on dry cow dung or thorny bushes for fuel. Additionally, the area is considered as the last refuge of Tibetan traditions and culture, which has survived unchanged despite geo-political reconstruction. As measures to halt further degradation of this highly fragile environment and endangered culture, several measures were introduced. The number of visitors to the area was fixed at 1000 per year at a very high price tag, US $ 700 per visitor for a 10 days trek, and US$ 70 per day for additional days. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal also decided to plough 60 percent of the tourism revenue back for conservation and development activities of the area (but this fund to the local area, received from the tourism revenue, is much less than what was promised at the beginning). Hence, low volume but high value tourism became a key feature of ecotourism experience in Nepal.
3 The Ghale Kharka-Sikles Ecotourism Project is a step ahead compared to all other ecotourism projects in Nepal. The Asian Development Bank funded this 5 year project (199-1997) with the objective of creating a new destination to spread tourism benefits off the well-beaten trails. The project focused on developing a weeklong circular trekking route. It starts from Pokhara, the second most popular tourist destination as well as the gateway to ACAP, through virgin rhododendron forests and traditional villages such as Sikles, and ends again in Pokhara.
The circular route has been developed with adequate camping sites, 2 lodges, kerosene depots, a natural-cultural museum, information posts, well built trails, rubbish disposal facilities and directional/informative signs. All camping sites have been well equipped with a kitchen cum porter shelter, toilet, drinking water and rubbish disposal facilities. Similarly, micro-hydro schemes along with fuel-efficient devices to lessen pressure on forest resources have been promoted. Like in other areas of ACAP, several groups and committees have been formed, trained and empowered with responsibilities of managing natural and cultural resources as well as tour ism facilities available along the route. Unlike in other areas where all tourism related facilities are privately owned, all tourism facilities in the Ghale Kharka-Sikles Ecotourism area, from micro-hydro schemes to camping sites and rubbish bins, have been handed over to the communities concerned. They take the share of profits from managing these facilities, adding new elements to the design of ecotourism management in Nepal.
4. “Sirubari village tourism project” has won the prestigious PATA Gold Award in heritage and culture - heritage category at the 2001 PATA Gold Awards. Sirubari is a small village nestled on the southern slopes of a ridge in western Nepal. The village, which is inhabited entirely by the Gurungs, is small and compact with neat and clean trails connecting the mainly stone and slate built houses. A village tour in Sirubari allows visitors to experience a stay in a typical Nepali village.
However, the main attraction of Sirubari is that there are no hotels, lodges or restaurants in the village. All tourists coming there are assigned to a house, where they sleep and eat. Accommodation is simple but comfortable and clean. Sirubari is the best example of how a village can be promoted and developed without opening hotels and resorts.
Tourism development around the world including in Nepal is known to have disturbed local environments even causing significant destruction. This generates friction between the tourists and local people giving sufficient scope to sneak into the negative side of tourism. In many places, deforestation has become rampant to cope with the flow of tourists, as there is no alternative fuel for wood. But it is happening due to lack of awareness among the people. People of remotest place of Nepal know it well that there is no alternative of tourism for them. But there is a need to make people understand that there is no tourism without eco-tourism. Given the country's present economic conditions, it is necessary to continue to develop tourism in the future. It will not be practical to try to conserve the environment by restricting or closing tourist destinations and sites. A solution needs to be worked out to simultaneously promote tourism and conserve the environment.
The development of tourism in Nepal needs to go hand in hand with regional development and environmental conservation. Much acclaimed Royal Chitwan National Park recently has had same dilemma regarding the economic benefit it generated and environmental degradation it created. But this dilemma can be solved easily by bringing eco-friendly policy for the benefit of both eco-system and people. Now we have choice between mass safari tourism as in Africa and eco-friendly well preserved jungle tourism. But for the long term benefit, we have to make choice for eco-tourism allowing limited people to jungle. But people often make mistake by opening floodgate for all without thinking about next generation who will have to make their ends meet from the same profession. These kinds of tourism entrepreneurs should be discouraged to operate inside any national parks in the country. They don’t care about local environment because their sole intention is to earn quick buck. More importantly they are not motivated to save the environment and always decry the government’s policy regarding the environment. There is no alternative for eco-tourism for it is the future of tourism.
Nepal has been practicing environmentally sound tourism for many years. As Nepal's tourism depends on ecology, people of Nepal are conscious about the conservation of ecosystem. The Country's Ninth Plan's, Policy and Implementation strategies include promotion of Eco-tourism. Programmes such as development of model tourist villages, development of new trekking areas comes under these strategies.
Nepal's Ninth Plan has following points for Environment Protection:
Local government bodies and private entrepreneurs will be mobilised to maintain environmental quality conducive to tourism. They will co-ordinate with concerned government agency to monitor tourism activities.
A multiple co-ordination mechanism involving the central government, local governments, social organisations and the private sector will be developed for the conservation of environment in sensitive areas.
Local government bodies will be activated to keep tourist areas beautiful and free from pollution. Local bodies and the private sector will be encouraged to set up rest houses in tourist areas on a fee charging basis.
An environment code of conduct will be formulated and the private sector will be required to adopt it.
Pollution control measures will be developed and specially monitored in eco-sensitive activities such as trekking and mountaineering.
The inner parts of the Kathmandu valley which are the sites of historical and religious importance will be designated as pedestrian only zones, restricting the entry of vehicles.
Whereas, the tenth plan is focussed to review tourism policies, assessments of net contribution to economy from tourism, review of institutional performance, Nepal's tourism policy, regulation and institutional arrangements. It will also focus to develop tourism infrastructure in remote areas which will ultimately help to develop domestic tourism in Nepal.
His Majesty's Government of Nepal, is always supportive not only on policy level but it provides grant assistance for the environment protection activities. Under Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation there is an Eco-tourism project in Rolwaling Region with the Austrian assistance. Eco-Himal, an Austrian NGO is implementing the project. With the Asian Development Bank's assistance second Tourism Development Project is going on. Under this project an Eco-tourism development activity in Manasalu region is in implementation. His majesty's government realizing increasing stress on the natural environment has introduced a legislation that requires tourism service providers
to compile Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to be submitted mandatory. This is to keep an eye on the environmental degradation, if any, transpiring in these areas.
Private institutions regularly conduct training courses on Eco-tourism. Their policy is to protect and make environment clean. Apart from these the NGOs involved in tourism promotion have great commitment to conserve environment.
It is believed that through Eco tourism development employment generation and wealth distribution can be possible. Nepal will use its experiences in developing sustainable tourism, associated with mountain trekking, where Eco-tourism is an appropriate development strategy for poverty alleviation and conservation.
His Majesty’s Government of Nepal (HMG) recognises tourism as a priority sector, and it is a major contributor to Nepal's economy, generating about US$170 million annually and attracting just under half a million foreign visitors - 463,646 - in 2000 (MoCTCA 2001). Tourism provides direct and indirect employment for over 300,000 people, is Nepal’s major earner of foreign exchange dollars and represents 15% of total export earning. (Nepal Tourism Board 2001) According to the Ninth Plan of HMG: “Tourism will be developed as one of the key sectors enhancing employment and as a key sector for economic development. The expansion of tourism to villages will contribute more to the economic development.” (Ninth Plan of HMG pg 64) Clearly, the tourism sector is considered by HMG as a key to strengthening the national economy, improving living standards and reducing poverty. Tourism contributes 4 percent to GDP and 20 percent to foreign currency exchanging.
Tourism and Ecotourism Development in Nepal
Nepal has less than four decades of experience with tourism development. At the beginning, tourism activities were concentrated only inside the Kathmandu valley. As the years passed, the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions started becoming popular trekking destinations amongst organized group trekkers (OGTs) who were later followed by free and independent trekkers (FITs). The growth in numbers of FITs led to proliferation of teahouses and lodges along all major trekking routes in mountain areas.
This changed the nature and impacts of tourism on the country forever. Within a span of three decades, the number of tourists, and for that matter, trekkers visiting Nepal has increased by several- fold, from around 6,000 in 1962 to over 460,000 in 1998. Over the years, tourism has become the number one source of foreign exchange.
It is an important sector, particularly in mountain areas, for generating income and employment opportunities, but is not without its costs. It is with the increase of tourism that the pressures on the country’s rich bio-diversity started to intensify. The magnitude of deforestation and increased pollution in all major trekking destinations became a matter of grave concern. It was in this context, for the first time in 1986, that the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) under the aegis of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) was designed to address key concerns.
Over 80 percent of all visitors come for holiday / pleasure or trekking / mountaineering purposes. Further, over 50% of visitors cite natural attractions as a key consideration factor in choosing Nepal as a destination and a further 38% come for trekking. Mountaineering expeditions are also important to Nepal’s remote area economy. In 2000, 132 mountaineering expeditions came to Nepal representing revenue of US$9.74 million up from 115 teams in 1999.
Who are involved in Tourism in Nepal ?
Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) is responsible for policy, planning, licensing, regulations and overall monitoring of the tourism industry in Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) undertakes planning and product development, international and domestic promotions and tourism research and advisory functions for MoCTCA. Other key government agencies are the National Planning Commission (responsible for national level planning on a five yearly basis –currently the Ninth Plan) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (responsible for park management and park entry fees. The tourism industry in Nepal has formed itself into about 20 different industry associations which take an industry wide approach. Apart from these, there are many national and international NGOs, for instance, IUCN, KMTNC, KEEP, SNV, TMI, WWF Nepal Programme, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Association of Tour and Trekking Agents, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents which are highly skilled with long experience. The Sustainable Tourism Network (STN) is an innovative and progressive organisation in Nepal. It is an open and inclusive network which brings together many of the key stakeholders such as IUCN, WWF Nepal, ICIMOD, Aqua Birds Unlimited Camp, Eco Himal, Park People Programme etc., but not exclusive to, those mentioned above. It includes participants from all these various stakeholder groups in order to share lessons learned, increase co-operation and partnership, create awareness, contribute to understanding, and encourage best practices in the field of eco-tourism and community based eco-tourism (CBET). This network, based in NTB, works as a catalyst body in national level and has been successful at increasing cooperation and partnership within the tourism industry in Nepal.
After the restoration of democracy in the country in 1990, His Majesty’s Government has adopted a series of policy to promote tourism in the country. As a part of liberalization policy, the government has allowed the people to open and operate hotels in the different parts of the country. But even before the dawn of democracy the government allowed the private sector to operate the resorts and hotels in the national parks with specific guidance regarding environmental impact in the nature. During this time in 1962, the prestigious visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to Nepal was announced. A visit to the Royal Chitwan National Park was also included so after hurried preparations, the new Meghauli airport was inaugurated and also heralded the introduction of the Dakota aircraft.
It was after the success of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1962 at Chitwan that Copeman, a foreigner with long term vision came up with the bright idea of starting a permanent hotel / lodge in the jungle. Having earlier been very impressed with the concept of jungle resorts on his visits to Africa, he saw a similar opportunity here. Based on Tree Tops, Africa, he named his venture Tiger Tops and started preliminary operations there on a trial basis.
The success of this park prompted both the government and long term visionaries to declare it a National Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. In 1973, it was declared a National Park. Subsequently the Government also realized that the Park should be opened to tourists as exposure and finance was both needed for the park’s sustainability.
In 1988, under the present King’s direction, seven concessionaires from the private sector were granted license to open hotels within the park on the basis of services, carrying capacity, proximity, and other factors. The facility was granted considering the importance of the Private sector who had developed long term vision in terms of protection, preservation as well as economic benefit. It was firmly established that the participation and support of the Private sector and the community was equally essential for the Forest Protection measures taken up. In addition, it would be their responsibility to provide along with participation from the community, economic benefit through employment and other related sources, support in education, health and sanitation. On top of this, the service of the Nepal Army was equally imperative. So in a way these hotel owners were taking a big risk investing so much without actually knowing how successful the venture would turn out to be. Strict codes of jungle conduct were maintained along with conservancy measures, which led to them being acknowledged as Quality Tourism providers.
International guests endorsed the quality and the activities of these hotels, which made the management even more responsible and vigilant towards hazardous activities on their premises.
It has to be admitted that the Department of Forest & National parks in conjunction with the resorts operating within the jungle have understood that just termination of poaching and logging is not enough. The only way wildlife parks can be kept intact is through a system devised with set rules and practices to be followed by those in authority and related to it in any way. In a bid to achieve Sustainable Tourism, the park has taken up conservancy measures involving proper jungle conduct and managed to implement laws and practices slated for financial gain for the park. General awareness has gradually prompted the villagers to give up their dependence on the jungle and slowly shift to other occupations like working as local labourers, with livestock and in piggery for their livelihood, which in turn has upgraded their very lifestyle.
There is no tourism without conservation therefore it is essential that all products of Tourism thrive in a healthy environment and are supported by sustainable measures.
Quality plays a vital role in terms of price, discipline and number of visitors. The mandatory fee is to ensure quality of services and to provide skilled manpower dedicated to conservation. Our experience has proved that it is feasible and practical to combine tourism and conservation together for complementing and supplementing each other. Special emphasis should be given to classify areas of the national parks through research and on this basis, consistent with the preservation of the area, individual restrictions should be made as to differentiate the type of tourism activity it is liable to support. The wildlife authorities should be alert in evaluating the carrying capacity of the area.
So, while admitting that the concessionaires may earn through their respective hotels, it is also necessary to note that 50% of the taxes paid by the resorts is ploughed back for the welfare of the community. This act has significantly contributed in enhancing understanding among the Government, the lodge owners and the locals who have gradually come to acknowledge and appreciate the serious efforts made by the owners and have inculcated deep trust in them. The experience has become a textbook case in the history of conservation, and appreciated by conservationists the world over. India and South East Asia have been desperately trying to copy the system that has been adopted by the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife. Consultants from Nepal are being frequently invited to give talks on the subject in order to develop a similar successful project for Conservation.
While appreciating the sincere efforts of the Government, keeping the Royal Chitwan National Park in pristine condition, with or without tourists is a mammoth task by itself. Natural calamities and gradual deterioration of the environment due to the ravages of time have caused serious problems. It is high time everyone wakes up to the gravity of the situation and the concerned authorities come up with effective and stringent laws to end all activities leading to long term hazards.
Instead of indulging in frequent bickering and mud slinging among the concerned parties, it is imperative that all put their heads together and works for the betterment of these areas and the entire Bio-diversity.
Endorsements and appreciation from well-known celebrities like Prince Charles, Hillary Clinton, Robert Redford and Goldie Hawn to name a few, including scores of dignitaries and ministers from all over the world have certified the exclusiveness of this premier product. Wildlife and environment researchers have also admitted the serious efforts of both the Government authority and committed individuals behind the success of the park.
Since we are at the juncture where tourism and conservation are two parts of the same coin, it is up-to us to combine conservation and development to work harmoniously together for the economic benefit of the entire Kingdom of Nepal.
Nepal has long experiences in Eco-tourism. So it desires to develop this as a vehicle for supplementing other similar programmes in poverty alleviation of the country. With the technical assistance of Asian Development Bank a comprehensive project document for Eco-tourism project development is completed. This proposed ADB funded project will help to support the infrastructure development namely, for reconstruction of the airfields in various parts of Nepal which is an essential component to develop ecotourism. Similarly, this project will also help in capacity building of various ecotourism related software components, such as, development of trekking, trails, skill development trainings etc.The government of Nepal will be implementing this project to strengthen eco-tourism activities in Nepal. Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP) is already in operation with the financial assistance of UNDP, DFID & SNV. The main objective of this pilot programme is to support for the review and formulation of tourism development policies and strategic planning. The programme will focus disadvantaged, approved and discriminated section of Nepal's rural women and men, lower casts and ethnic minorities. The programme will develop strong backward and forward linkages and will bring grass root participation in decision making process so that the benefits can reach the poor in rural communities. It is expected that his programme will demonstrate tourism models for sustainable tourism development in Nepal.
The policy outcome of this project guides to develop Eco-tourism policies in the future. Finally, Nepal is in the process of developing its Tourism Master Plan with technical support of World Tourism Organization (WTO). We hope a comprehensive plan will help to streamline the long pending issues related with ecotourism.
Success stories
Success story of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) :
In 1986, the King Mahendra Trust for Natural Conservation (KMTNC) launched the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the first and largest conservation area in Nepal, covering 7629 Sp. Km. as an innovative concept in the protected area management system of the country. The programme has changed the traditional subsistence activities into a framework of sound resource management, supplemented by conservation, development of alternative energy programmes to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and to enhance the living standards of the local people.
ACAP draws about 62% of the country's total trekkers (107,960 in 1999). It follows the principles of maximum people's participation, sustainability and a catalyst (facilitator) role. ACAP is spread out in 5 districts of the Western Development Region of Nepal and covers 55 VDCs. It is divided into 7 unit conservation offices located in Jomsom, Manang, Lho Manthang, Bhujang, Lwang, Sikles and Ghandruk. The focus of Jomsom, Manang and Ghandruk, which are also popular areas for trekking, are on integrated tourism management and agro- pastoralism. The programme priorities for Bhujang, Sikles and Lwang are poverty alleviation and integrated agriculture and livestock development, agro forestry and community development. The focus in Lho Manthang, upper Mustang which came under the jurisdiction of ACAP in 1992 has been on managing controlled tourism on a sustainable basis and promoting.heritage conservation, which is the major tourist attraction along with alternative energy, resource conservation and community development programme. The Conservation, Education and
Extension Project (CEEP) is being implemented in the entire ACAP and forms the backbone of all the conservation efforts in the region. ACAP has completed and is implementing the recommendation of its management plan that emphasizes building the capacity of local institution to carry out ACAP's present activities. The legal framework for ACAP is provided by the conservation Area Management Regulations 1997; which is approved by HMG/N. The conservation Area Management Committee, which is formed under the above regulation in each village development council, is entrusted with the responsibility to manage, utilize and protect all the natural resources within its own respective VDC.
After successful ACAP it is now turn of Kanchanjungha, Dolpa, & Humla in Himalayan region and Palpa and Lumbini in Mountain and Terai region respectively.
Success stories of other similar projects Nepal takes pride of :
1. Sagarmatha cleaning Campaign: His Majesty's Government has been always positive not only on policy level matters but also provides grant assistants for the environment protection activities in Sagarmatha region.Various projects and NGOs such as Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) have been actively working on to preserve and rejuvenate both natural and cultural heritage of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest).
2. Prior to the Upper Mustang Project, which is an extension of the ACAP programs, the main focus of ecotourism initiatives was to mitigate undesirable environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism. The approach, therefore, was rather reactive. However,
with the Mustang Project, Nepal got an opportunity to test many of the ideas and lessons learnt from other projects dealing with tourism and integrated development programs proactively. The Upper Mustang area was restricted to visitors until 1992. It falls in the rain shadow area of the Annapurna range and does not have significant forest cover. The majority of people either depend on dry cow dung or thorny bushes for fuel. Additionally, the area is considered as the last refuge of Tibetan traditions and culture, which has survived unchanged despite geo-political reconstruction. As measures to halt further degradation of this highly fragile environment and endangered culture, several measures were introduced. The number of visitors to the area was fixed at 1000 per year at a very high price tag, US $ 700 per visitor for a 10 days trek, and US$ 70 per day for additional days. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal also decided to plough 60 percent of the tourism revenue back for conservation and development activities of the area (but this fund to the local area, received from the tourism revenue, is much less than what was promised at the beginning). Hence, low volume but high value tourism became a key feature of ecotourism experience in Nepal.
3 The Ghale Kharka-Sikles Ecotourism Project is a step ahead compared to all other ecotourism projects in Nepal. The Asian Development Bank funded this 5 year project (199-1997) with the objective of creating a new destination to spread tourism benefits off the well-beaten trails. The project focused on developing a weeklong circular trekking route. It starts from Pokhara, the second most popular tourist destination as well as the gateway to ACAP, through virgin rhododendron forests and traditional villages such as Sikles, and ends again in Pokhara.
The circular route has been developed with adequate camping sites, 2 lodges, kerosene depots, a natural-cultural museum, information posts, well built trails, rubbish disposal facilities and directional/informative signs. All camping sites have been well equipped with a kitchen cum porter shelter, toilet, drinking water and rubbish disposal facilities. Similarly, micro-hydro schemes along with fuel-efficient devices to lessen pressure on forest resources have been promoted. Like in other areas of ACAP, several groups and committees have been formed, trained and empowered with responsibilities of managing natural and cultural resources as well as tour ism facilities available along the route. Unlike in other areas where all tourism related facilities are privately owned, all tourism facilities in the Ghale Kharka-Sikles Ecotourism area, from micro-hydro schemes to camping sites and rubbish bins, have been handed over to the communities concerned. They take the share of profits from managing these facilities, adding new elements to the design of ecotourism management in Nepal.
4. “Sirubari village tourism project” has won the prestigious PATA Gold Award in heritage and culture - heritage category at the 2001 PATA Gold Awards. Sirubari is a small village nestled on the southern slopes of a ridge in western Nepal. The village, which is inhabited entirely by the Gurungs, is small and compact with neat and clean trails connecting the mainly stone and slate built houses. A village tour in Sirubari allows visitors to experience a stay in a typical Nepali village.
However, the main attraction of Sirubari is that there are no hotels, lodges or restaurants in the village. All tourists coming there are assigned to a house, where they sleep and eat. Accommodation is simple but comfortable and clean. Sirubari is the best example of how a village can be promoted and developed without opening hotels and resorts.
Tourism development around the world including in Nepal is known to have disturbed local environments even causing significant destruction. This generates friction between the tourists and local people giving sufficient scope to sneak into the negative side of tourism. In many places, deforestation has become rampant to cope with the flow of tourists, as there is no alternative fuel for wood. But it is happening due to lack of awareness among the people. People of remotest place of Nepal know it well that there is no alternative of tourism for them. But there is a need to make people understand that there is no tourism without eco-tourism. Given the country's present economic conditions, it is necessary to continue to develop tourism in the future. It will not be practical to try to conserve the environment by restricting or closing tourist destinations and sites. A solution needs to be worked out to simultaneously promote tourism and conserve the environment.
The development of tourism in Nepal needs to go hand in hand with regional development and environmental conservation. Much acclaimed Royal Chitwan National Park recently has had same dilemma regarding the economic benefit it generated and environmental degradation it created. But this dilemma can be solved easily by bringing eco-friendly policy for the benefit of both eco-system and people. Now we have choice between mass safari tourism as in Africa and eco-friendly well preserved jungle tourism. But for the long term benefit, we have to make choice for eco-tourism allowing limited people to jungle. But people often make mistake by opening floodgate for all without thinking about next generation who will have to make their ends meet from the same profession. These kinds of tourism entrepreneurs should be discouraged to operate inside any national parks in the country. They don’t care about local environment because their sole intention is to earn quick buck. More importantly they are not motivated to save the environment and always decry the government’s policy regarding the environment. There is no alternative for eco-tourism for it is the future of tourism.
posted by Sarad @ 12:17 AM
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