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Introduction
NETIF’s projects derive impetus from local
initiatives and international specialists’
interventions. Suomen Latu, based
in Helsinki, Finland , is an organization working for Recreational Sports and
Outdoor Activities, brings its 70 years experience
to the administrative and managerial capacities of NETIF through its Project Manager. NETIF also has
cooperation partnership with Kathmandu University at
Dhulikhel, providing voluntary work for the
implementation of its projects and campaigns
In association with Soumen latu , a Finnish INGO.
NETIF is working in association with Suomen Latu -
the Finish Central Association for Recreational
Sports and Outdoor Activities - a promoter of
outdoor activities, an expert in hiking and an
organization open to all. With financial support
from the Finnish Ministry for the Foreign Affairs
Suomen Latu is working for the development of
sustainable tourism projects in Kathmandu valley and
its vicinity, with major focus on environment, local
communities and tourist interests.
Project Area:
The area of our project covers Shivapuri National
Park situated on the Northern Valley Rim,starting
from Sundarijal and extending to Chisopani, Nagarkot
and Dhulikhel. The districts covered include
Kathmandu, Kavre/Palanchowk and Bhaktapur. The main
focus area is the villages and environmental regions
that are covered by the “Kathmandu Valley –
Dhulikhel Cultural Trekking Trail”. The area also
extends to intermittently include Namobuddha, Kavre
Chowk and Balthali Village.
Project Programs:
NETIF aims to build economic opportunities for the
local people. And at the same time ensures quality
experiences for the tourist.
The base-line study had been carried out in the
month of May-June 2008 at the proposed project site
to identify the potentialities. The Project period
is for 2 years, commencing from January 2009 to
December 2010.
Project Objectives:
The
overall objectives of this project are:
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Promotion of ecotourism and community-based
tourism in the project area. |
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Entrepreneurship development training to local
people |
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Promotion of “Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trek” as
one of the major products of the country, |
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Working with local people, stakeholders and the
community of the trekking area for sustainable
tourism development, |
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Organizing environmental awareness programs. |
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Fostering network programs among stakeholders |
Project’s Main Activities (From 2009 - 2010)
The project activities are based on the current
requirements of the trail and the community, and the
provision of quality tourism services. The
activities have been planned after extensive
interaction with the communities and base line
surveys
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Upgrading and maintaining the old paths of the
trekking route
We plan to establish a work project that will
help to reconstruct some of the degraded parts
of the track and to establish a defined trekking
trail with sign posts that will aid trekkers and
also keep them to the trail and off the delicate
undergrowth and regeneration areas along the
trekking trail. |
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Constructing tourist shelter/ houses and resting
places
Given the long distances between resting
points and the limited availability of food
and drinking water along the trail we are
endeavoring to build suitable shelters and
rest places for trekkers where they can rest
and refuel. We hope that villagers will be
able to establish small tea shops in these
places to provide refreshments to the
trekkers. |
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Constructing recycling centers for garbage
management
Rubbish is one of the biggest causes of
pollution in Nepal. By establishing recycling
collection points and educating the villagers
and trekkers how to use them, we can help to
eliminate this problem and put an ease to the
strain on recourse used to produce items like
plastic and paper. |
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Establishing community based centers for
environment and tourism activities
Educating the villagers about environmentally
friendly practices is essential to preserving
our environment and making them understand its
importance in our future and about how
maintaining them can help to attract tourists
and a valuable source of income for themselves. |
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Periodical Clean-up campaigns
Clean up campaigns help to keep village areas
and more importantly water catchment areas clean
and clear of rubbish and they are also a great
way to bring communities together and get them
involved and working towards an untied goal. |
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Promoting Home stay programs in the village
areas
By
teaching the locals and helping them to
establish basic ideas in hospitality and
hygienic food practices we hope to create some
Home Stays for trekkers that will open up to
them an authentic cultural experience and window
to village life in Nepal as well as generate a
modest income for the villagers. |
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Networking among stakeholders of the trekking
areas
One
of the key factors to the success of the
projects is involving and working with the
villagers that inhabit the areas we are working
in. By involving the villagers and also sharing
their ideas we hope to create ongoing enthusiasm
for the projects. |
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Tourism Promotional Campaigns
Promotion is another key factor to the project’s
success, without tourists the established
businesses and income sources would fail. We aim
to promote the region and trekking trail through
tour agents, the Nepal Tourism Board and on an
international scale. |
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Environment awareness programs
Maintaining a pristine environment is an
important aspect that needs to be understood by
all people who use the area, right from
picnickers and trekkers to the villagers that
live in the park. We aim to teach villagers and
visitors about the importance of this through
the placement of signboards in the Park and
along the trekking trail and by arranging
training programs amongst the villagers. |
Training Programs:
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Local- Guide training |
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Small lodge and hotel management and
development |
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Entrepreneurship development |
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Local- Culture training programs |
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Handicraft training |
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Organic farming methods |
The
Project also focuses on:
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