Project Goal

To contribute in the socially responsible, ecologically friendly and economically viable tourism management for the development in Nepal.

Objectives

1. to promote community based eco-tourism to enhance the environment for better tourism
2. to support the local communities ,and tourism entrepreneurs
3. to develop and promote locally made products,
4. to enhance the local capacity to manage tourism.
5. Product development and promotion.

Approach and Strategies adopted to achieve results

Approach
 - Bottom up planning

Strategies

1. Community participation, awareness raising and social mobilization through local institutions.
2. Bottom up approach
3. Capacity building of local communities.
4. Trekking trail infrastructure development.
5. Networking , coordination and communication
6. Marketing and promotion of the trail.

Project area and Target Groups

The project area starts from Sundarijal via Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and ends at Panauti . The area covers Municipalities and 16 VDCs of Kathmandu, Bhaktpur and Kavre districts.

Target Groups

1. Local communities of the Trail.
2. Tourism based entrepreneurs( hoteliers, restaurant owners, teashop owners, handicraft producers etc)
3. Local Tourism Development Committees
4. Eco clubs and waste management Committees
5. Women self-help groups of the trail
6. Leading farmers groups in the trail

Partners

International Partner

SUOMEN LATU: Central Association for Recreational Sports and Outdoor activities, Helsinki, Finland

National Partners:

Nepal Tourism Board, Katmandu University, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Government line agencies related to Tourism and Environment and Local Development, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Resort and Hotel Association of Nepal(RAHAN)

Local partners:

DDC( Kathmandu, Kavre and Bhaktpur) ,Tourism Information Center Dhulikhel,Nagarkot-Naldum Tourism Development Committee, Tourism Development Committees on the trekking trails, Women Self Help Groups in the trekking trail, Leading Farmer’s Group in the trekking trails.

Major Areas of Project Intervention

1. Awareness raising and Local Institutional development
2. Small Scale community infrastructure
3. Local Capacity development
4. Model Destination development in rural tourism
5. Networking and alliance building in tourism and environment management.
6. Conservation and alternative energy
7. Promotional activities
8. Research/Survey

Highlights of Achievements made in 2009

Awareness and Local Institutional Building

• 4 Tourism Development Committees formed and mobilized.
• 4 Tourism and Environment Management Fund created.
• 60 wooden awareness boards carved and placed at trails.

Small Scale Infrastructure

• 10 incinerators constructed in the major settlements.
• 210 waste collection bins placed throughout the trail.
• 2 Community buildings constructed
• 1 public toilet constructed
• A new gate constructed in Sundarijal
• 4 Tourists rest houses constructed in the trekking trail.
• 6000 meter trail upgraded
• 60 wooden sig nage carved and placed at the trail.

Local Capacity Building

• 38 people trained in Small Hotel and Lodge management Training
• 28 people trained in Mushroom and Off seasonal vegetable Cultivation
• 25 people trained in Corn Husk doll making.

Networking and alliance building

• 4 cleanup campaign completed in various destinations.
• 1 workshop organized on Organic farming
• 1 workshop organized in Waste management Issues in Tourist Destination

Conservation and Alternative Energy

• Partial support to Wind Turbine instillation in Chisapani.
• Partial support to improved cooking stove instillation in 34 households in Mulkharaka .
• 5000 tree plantation in Dhulikhel and Panauti area.
• 3 Landslide protection wall constructed in landslide prone areas.

Research /Survey

• Two surveys completed on Quality ,Quantity and managerial aspects of Solid Waste Management( Nagarkot and Dhulikhel)
• One Feasibility study on Livelihood Improvement through Agro tourism in trekking Trail( Mulkharka to Chisapani)

Promotional activities

• 1000 brochure published on Kathmandu valley cultural trail (in press)
• 1Website developed and regularly updated www.netif-nepal.org
• 6 hoarding boards including tourism resource map developed.
• Media coverage of trekking trails in 10 major medias of Nepal
• A Guidebook on Trekking trail (in press)

Effects/Outcome

• Increased Environment Awareness and Waste Minimization in the trekking trails
• Better facilities for trekkers and hikers
• Skill enhanced in micro enterprise development at local level
• Model Destination Development :Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail is a new product being developed by NETIF

Lesson Learned

Combine effort of Government Institutions, Private sectors , I/NGOs, Media , Civil society and Local communities is must for the success of any development projects .
Local communities are always the entry point for any activities in a geographical area, their active participation and backup support from various stakeholders is necessary for the sustainability of the project.

The way forward

The project will continue to implement its activities in the year 2010 in the active participation with all the stakeholders of tourism development of Nepal. The project activities will be primarily focused on
• local capacity development ,
• Preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
• Encouraging tourism entrepreneurs to practice responsible tourism.
• Encouraging corporate houses to practice environment and social responsibility.
• Environment Awareness building and mobilization of School going children in the trekking trail.
• Internship program for University students.
• Further initiation of programs in tourism, environment and climate change.