Harmonizing Approach for Promotion of
Sustainable Tourism in Nepal
Efforts made by:
Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation
(NETIF) to charter a Responsible Path
Jitendra Rana
Responsible Tourism Specialist/Advisor-NETIF
Paper for PATA Adventure Travel & Responsible Tourism Conference, 7-11
February 2011, Pokhara
Medium chosen by NETIF to promote
Responsible Tourism Parameters
Improvement of the
“Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail”
focused on
development and promotion in key areas of
Recreation
Culture
Environment
NETIF Objectives
Major Objectives:
 To try to define and understand the meaning of responsible tourism in context of
Nepal
 To promote sustainable tourism and good environmental practices
 To enhance the livelihood of the local communities as well as promote benefits to
the tourism stakeholders
THE KATHMANDU VALLEY
CULTURAL TREKKING TRAIL
TREKKING ITINERARY
DAY 1: SUNDARIJAL TO CHISAPANI
DAY 2: CHISAPANI TO NAGARKOT
DAY 3: NAGARKOT TO DHULIKHEL
DAY 4: DHULIKHEL TO PANAUTI
Attractions and Highlights of the KVCTT
Beautiful Waterfalls
Nepal’s Vibrant Architectural Heritage
Unforgettable Himalayan Panoramas…
…Annapurna, Rolwaling, Langtang, Everest and Beyond
Scenic Rural Views and Fresh Country Air
Traditional Rural Villages
Natural (Dhaps) Wetlands
Pristine Jungles and Forests
Wildflowers
Major Activities undertaken in
Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking
Trail
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Alliance and partnership building for overall program
Community sensitization and organization
Awareness, education and advocacy
Development of plan of action with stakeholders
Finalization of plan of resource and community mobilization
through institution building
Capacity building for community participation
Implementation of plan for 2009-2010
Documentation and dissemination of Learning by Doing
Approach
Revision of approach for improved harmony and synergy
for the next phase of implementation of NTOED Project for
2011-2013.
Key Quantitative Change Indicators
 Four Tourism and Environment Management Funds created
 60 wooden environment awareness boards carved and placed at
trails
 10 incinerators constructed in the major settlements
 400 waste collection bins placed throughout the trail
 Two community buildings constructed
 Three public toilets constructed
 A new gate constructed in Sundarijal at Shivapuri Nagarjun National
Park
 12 tourist rest houses constructed in the trekking trail
 6000 meter trail upgraded
 250 wooden signposts carved and placed at the trail
 5000 trees planted in Dhulikhel and Panauti area
Key Overall Qualitative Change
Indicators
 Easy movability in the trail with improved comfort,
direction/information, affection, hospitability, aesthetics/sanitation, and
enjoyment etc.
 Improved awareness and education level of local people in need for
biodiversity conservation
 Awareness and information level of local people increased on
importance of heritage and its conservation
 Improvement in income and employment levels
 Awareness and knowledge of local people improved on use of energy
from renewable sources.
 Improvement in overall attitude of the local communities towards
proper use and conservation of natural resources
 Improvement in attitude of host local communities and tourists on
respecting and better understanding each other.
 Increase in flow of tourists (both national and international)
 Increase in livelihood opportunities for the local people
Recommendations on key action areas for
Responsible Tourism Promotion in Nepal
 Awareness and education building right from
schools, e.g. Sanjivani eco-club in Dhulikhel
 Conservation of environment and biodiversity
 " Garbage can be a resource, not a waste"
 Heritage protection and civil mannerisms
 Education to promote bicycle use for zero
emission transportation for recreational
activities , e.g. Hike and Bike event in
Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail
 Promote bicycle lanes in urban areas
 Promote green industries at national level
 A need for "Responsible Travel
Companion" booklet to all directly
concerned including the tourists
Final Conclusions
 Implementation of Action Plan for responsible tourism must start
from local level with the participation of the communities and
concerned stakeholders. However, top-down and bottom-up
implementation process must work in synergy
 Prosperity will automatically begin to percolate to lowest rungs of
the society through relevant programs
 Continue policy advocacy at top and required levels to take
decisions to advance responsible tourism agenda more
aggressively in all tourist destinations
 Advancing its mandatory programs, NETIF will continue to play its
role as a catalyst for expansion of relevant programs in other
areas as well
Thank You and Namaste!
Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation
www.netif-nepal.org