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About NETIF
Nepal
Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF) is a non
profit making NGO working in the field of Environment and Tourism.
We work towards an economically winning combination of tourism and
pristine environment with the idea that a beautiful environment will
attract tourism which in turn will stimulate the local economy as
well as safe guard the environment.
NETIF was founded in 2006 by a group of dedicated environmentalists
and tourism entrepreneurs. We registered as an NGO in 2008 and
established bases in Kathmandu and Dhulikhel; both economic and
tourism centres in Nepal. The organisation works towards an
economically winning combination of tourism and environment.
Complementing each other for better and sustainable tourism
enterprises, particularly aiming to achieve the well being of local
communities by training and encouraging them to utilize the
opportunities that environmental tourism offers and to sustain the
surrounding environment that attracts tourists to the region. NETIF
facilitates the transition of rural tourism sectors towards dynamic
environmental considerations.
Vision
What is NETIF’s ultimate vision?
“Environmental Tourism for a Better Economy”
We want
Nepal’s rural villages to be able to share in the economic growth
that tourism has to offer in Nepal, and to understand the importance
of conservation.
Our core vision is to encourage sustainable tourism development and
to provide a better livelihood for rural villagers in Nepal. We
combine this with our heartfelt concern for the surrounding wildlife
and environment.
NETIF’s aim is to integrate environmental conservation and community
development into a model program for tourism development that can be
used as an example of environmentally sustainable rural tourism
throughout Nepal. At NETIF, we strive to stand as an example and to
achieve success in our projects that can be followed and adapted by
other Government and Non-Governmental Organizations in Nepal.
How we work
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’.
NETIF Plan
How does NETIF plan to achieve this?
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.
Read more
about NTOEDP…
NETIF Objectives
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To promote community based sustainable tourism and good
environmental practices. |
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To support the local communities and tourism
entrepreneurs with training and awareness programmes to
increase local livelihoods and enhance the local
environment and cultural heritage. |
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To enhance the local To conduct various types of income
generating and self-employment oriented programs in the
field of tourism and environment. |
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To campaign against environmental degradation.
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To investigate alternative methods to minimize the
negative impact of tourism on the environment and
society. |
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To work and link with local, national and international
organizations and stakeholders, experts, and government
offices working in the sectors of Environment and
Tourism. |
NETIF Projects link
Board members
- Mr Arun Shrestha, President: MD – Tourism Entrepreneur
- Mr Keshav Kunwar, Vice-President: MD - Silt Consultancy
- Mr Subash Kaji Shrestha, Secretary: MD - Lekali Trading
- Mrs Sunita Vaidhya, Treasurer: MD - Women Entrepreneurs
Development Foundation (WEDF)
- Dr Sanjay Khanal, Board Member: Professor - Kathmandu
University, Environmental Science Faculty
- Mr Sun Prasad Shrestha, Board Member: MD - Dhulikhel Lodge
Resort
- Mr Ashok Maharja, Board Member: NGO Activist
- Mrs Sabita Aryal Khanna, Board Member: Lecturer - Kathmandu
University, Environmental Science Faculty
- Mrs Stela Tamang, Board Member: Education Sector
Key staff
- Mr Arun Shrestha, Project Manager
- Mr Prabin Paudel, Project Coordinator
- Mr Ashok Maharjan, Field Coordinator
- Ms Sanju Shrestha, Accounts / Administrator
- Mr Ram Hari Bhandari, Office Assistant
- Mr Nayaran Shrestha, Project Officer Sundarijal and Mulkharka
- Mr Bijaya K.C, Project Officer Chisapani
- Mr Dhana Lama, Project Officer Nagarkot
International Partner
SUOMEN
LATU
 Suomen Latu - The Finnish Central Association for Recreational
Sports and Outdoor Activities – is a promoter of outdoor
activities, an expert in hiking and an organization open to all.
Suomen Latu has more than 75,000 members - children, teenagers,
families, adults and seniors – who are active in the more than
200 member associations.
The main objective of Suomen Latu has always been to increase
Finnish people’s interest in exercise as well as developing
possibilities for outdoor conditioning and recreational
exercise. Nowadays, guarding everyman’s right to freedom and the
outdoors has become more and more important.
Other subject matters that are addressed include - promoting
outdoor and health beneficial exercise, making outdoor
activities and exercise more accessible in municipalities, the
quantity and quality of hiking routes and walkways, providing
opportunities for children and teenagers for healthy
recreational activities, involving families in community based
exercise and increasing well being in society.
In their vision, Suomen Latu and its member associations are
known as established experts in outdoor activities and hiking,
and as an open-to-all citizens’ organization advocating the
cause of all outdoor enthusiasts. In 2015 the Finnish people
will use more time on outdoor activities which is more versatile
than today. In the future, according to Eki Karlsson, the
Director of Suomen Latu, the organization will concentrate even
more on children, teenagers and families – not forgetting the
seniors. Also engaging young adults in the organizations
operations and activities is vital. “We will continue promoting
regular, year-round exercise and outdoor activities for people
of all ages”, Eki Karlsson says.
Although Suomen Latu mainly works in Finland, since 1997 steps
towards becoming an INGO has been taken. During 1997-2001 Suomen
Latu carried out a development cooperation project in
Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. During the project the
Tanzania and Kilimanjaro National Parks and Suomen Latu
constructed a trekking trail with facilities to the peak of
Mount Kilimanjaro. The trekking route still remains very popular
among the tourists from all over the world.
Since 2006 Suomen Latu has worked with the Nepalese NGO, NETIF,
to start an outdoor activities related development cooperation
program in the Kathmandu Valley. The project proposal was
submitted to the Finnish inistry for the Foreign Affairs in May
2007. The Ministry funded Suomen Latu for the year 2008, which
helped in funding the study for the program
Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation is a
non-governmental organization founded in 2006 by a group of
dedicated environmentalists and tourism entrepreneurs,
registered in 2008 with bases in Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, Nepal.
The NGO works for an economically winning combination of tourism
and pristine environment, complementing each other towards
better and sustainable tourism enterprises, particularly the
well being of local communities through opportunities that
tourism offers and the natural environment attracts. NETIF
facilitates the transition of rural tourism sectors towards
dynamic environmental considerations.
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