Eco Tourism in Nepal
Ecotourism is perhaps nowhere more relevant than in Nepal.
With ecotourism we mean the responsible form of tourism that minimises the
negative effects of conventional tourism not only to nature but also to the
culture and social values of host community. Nepal needs consideration for
both.
The fragile Himalayan ecosystem is in a threat due to
environmental degradation. The region is losing its precious forests which have
resulted in soil erosion and other related problems. Tourism is the major cause
of deforestation in the Himalayas as firewood is the main fuel used for cooking
and heating in the mountains. Plastics bottles, plastic packs, glass bottles
and other garbages from trekkers is having adverse effect on the region.
Awareness about ecotourism is low on the mountain villages .Due to the efforts
of many organisations working for eco friendly travel practices, people are
getting more aware of ecotourism but the efforts are not in the proportion of
the problem.
Nepal is also a culturally rich country with dozens of
ethnic groups (mostly living in the mountains where the tourists go of
trekking) having their own cultures. As the people are poor and not very
conscious of the values of their culture, they are quite vulnerable to tourist
cultures.
We request all our clients to extend help to protect the
precious nature and culture of host communities, firstly yourself not being the
cause of the problem and secondly contributing in the effort, small or big to
protect the environment and the culture of host community by travelling responsibly.
How to support
Nepal’s ecotourism efforts
Since our establishment we have always made our best possible efforts for ourselves not to be
the cause of environmental and cultural degradation and extend best possible help in favour of
ecotourism. We do not practice mass tourism. Our groups are always small and we
always seek support from our clients to help us for the cause. Our trekking
crew is given instructions on responsible and eco friendly tourism. However the
problem is mounting in the country . Lack of awareness among the common people
is the main reason. Many organizations are now working on the field and
awareness is increasing .Here are some of the ways you can help us.
In the mountains we use the lodges that use kerosene or
solar panels for heating, instead of the lodges that use firewood. Protecting
the precious forest is single most important step in favour of ecotourism. It
takes years for a tree to grow in cold alpine climate.
We carry back all the used batteries back to Kathmandu.
We prefer to drink can beer over bottled beer. The cans are
easier to bring back to garbage points than the bottles in the mountains. All
these bottles and cans are carried back to Kathmandu on helicopter from these
collection points.
We do not encourage our clients to buy bottled water in the
mountains. The plastic bottles are major sources of pollution in the
mountains.We insist you to carry your own bottle and use iodine tablets (or
what you prefer) to purify your drinking water. Quality iodine tablets are
available in our office or you can bring your own purifier from home.
We carry proper toilet tents in our trekking trips. We keep
our camp grounds garbage free. Burn the combustible garbages and carry the non
combustible in nearest collection point.
We use cotton bags instead of plastic bags for shopping and
other purposes wherever possible.
We do not camp fire in the camp grounds in the mountains.
We provide proper insurance and clothing for all our
trekking staffs. They are (mostly our guides) tarined on ecotourism practices.
We request you to respect the local cultures and traditions.
Nudity and public show of affections are suggested to avoid avoiding in Nepal.
You are also requested not to encourage begging among children. We are running
schooling programme for helpless children in Pokhara .Rather you can contribute
by sponsoring for the education of one of these children, if you so like.
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