Nepal Tourism Outdoor and Environment Development Project (NTOEDP) - Activities of 2009 - 2010

NETIF primarily acts as a bridge between the local hospitality entrepreneurs and communities, using the environment as a catalyst for both groups to collaborate together to provide services for the visiting tourists and livelihoods for the local communities with the objective to create a ‘Better Environment for Better Tourism’.

Nepal Tourism, Outdoor and Environment Development Project (NTOEDP) is the working arm of NETIF, with the view to enable stakeholders to create a destination without pollution and waste, where nature and wildlife areas are protected, where friendships prevail among tourists, local communities and entrepreneurs, and a destination where tourists will have a memorable holiday, entrepreneurs will have enough business and security, and local people will have enough food, shelter and dignity. The project is developing the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail (KVCTT), which starts from Sundarijal via Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, passing through Mulkharka, Chisapani, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Namobuddha, Balthali, and ending in Panauti.

NTOEDP Phase I (2009 – 2010)

NTOEDP objectives

1. To promote community focused eco-tourism to enhance the environment for better tourism
2. To harmonize  the local communities and tourism entrepreneurs and build networking channels for them
3. To develop and promote locally made products, such as organic produce and handicrafts.
4. To enhance the local capacity to manage tourism

During the first phase, NETIF focussed on implementing three major elements of the NTOEDP plan to incorporate community participation, awareness raising and social mobilization through local institutions with a bottom up approach.

Education - to all stakeholders involved about the importance of our natural environment and how to sustain it; how caring for the surrounding environment will attract interested tourists, improve the quality of life for the local communities as well as creating a sustainable income for all.

Plan of action - using participatory community and private public partnership (PPP) methodologies, bringing together both the private and public sectors to understand, support, and finance the plan of action, ensuring a cohesive involvement for successful implementation.

Advocacy - supporting and facilitating the different initiatives and schemes of the project.

Project’s Main Activities (From 2009 - 2010)

The NTOEDP Phase I ( 2009 -2010) project’s activities were focused on promoting quality tourism by collaborating together with local stakeholders, which in-return provided employment and income generating opportunities for the local communities, economic benefits for tourism entrepreneurs and satisfaction for visitors. The activities were focused on developing and branding “Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail (KVCTT)”along the rim of Kathmandu valley and its surroundings. The main strategies adopted and activities undertaken during the project period are as follows.

1. Addressing the Wishes of the Tourists through the Improvement of the basic facilities

2. Call for the Environment protection and waste management

3.Addressing the Wishes of local communities through the provision of micro infrastructure and skill based trainings

4.Optimum Promotional Campaigns to Increase the Visitors in the area

NTOEDP Project Activities:

Target Groups

The target groups of the project are:

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

International Partner

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

National Level Networking

 
NETIF is working closely with government agencies on a MoU to develop plans and projects and to gain authority and permissions to act where and when action is most needed.

Local Level Networking

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 our first 3 years

Awareness and local institutional building

Building & Small Scale Infrastructure

Entry Gate

NETIF played the leading role in designing and constructing the main entry gate to the KVCTT. The purpose of the gate is to establish the name of the ‘Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail’ with all who pass here and to help promote NETIF’s product, the environment, tourism and local communities. The entrance gate is located just below the army check post above Sundarijal. Here you will also find the ticket counter where you need to pay the entrance fee to the National Park.

Public Toilets

So far, NETIF has constructed two public toilets in vital places along the KVCTT. The toilets are there for trekkers and hikers and help to consolidate raw waste and keep it out of the water ways and help to prevent pollution of such kind along the trail. At present, NETIF has constructed toilet facilities in Shivapuri  Nagarjun National Park, at the entrance gate just above Sundarijal and also at Namobuddha, with plans to add more along the trekking trail in the future. The toilets also employ a local caretaker/cleaner who keeps them maintained in return of donations left by users.

Tourist Rest Shelters and Viewing Platforms

One of the biggest construction jobs on NETIF’s agenda was the construction of 12 rest shelters along the KVCTT. The shelters are located in prime positions along the trail and double as viewing platforms for the majestic Himalaya, rolling green valleys, pristine Jungle and bird and wildlife. The rest shelters are the best places for trekkers and hikers to kick of their shoes, sit back and enjoy the impressive views, maybe spot some wildlife or bird life. Some of the featured shelters are in Bhorlang Bhanjyang with encompassing views of the snow capped mountains, the Dhaps (Wetlands) below Chisapani, the perfect place for bird watching and chilling out.

The shelters also have another attraction; they are located in suitable places where enterprising villagers can set up small tea and snack shops to refuel trekkers. This helps to benefit the local economy and also the local shop keepers will be responsible for waste management around the shelters and viewing platforms.

View a Map of Rest Shelters Located on the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Route

Community Houses

NETIF has established two community houses along the trekking trail. The community house concept was implemented by NETIF as a way to bring together the communities along the trekking trail and give them a place for development meetings, women’s groups, youth groups and training programs. The initial construction was completed and then the community houses where gifted to two communities, Mulkharka and Nagarkot.

The community house in Mulkharka is a central place for villages to hold meetings and gatherings and is also home to the local women’s group where they participate in skills training and women’s empowerment activities. Nagarkot has a much larger facility which consists of two levels. The first being a vital tourist information centre to help promote local activities and tourism in the area, the top floor is shared by the Nagarkot Naldum Tourist Development Committee, The Local guide Office and the Forestry Office.

Both of the Community houses where constructed using local materials and labour.

Livelihood Training Programs

Local Networking and alliance building

International Networking and Alliance Building

Conservation and Alternative Energy

Promotional Activities

Effects/Outcome

Lessons Learned