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Introduction
 The contribution of tourism to the development and economy of Nepal is evident from the number of businesses and employees dependent on it. From luxury hotels employing thousands down to individuals such as a porter, tourism now defines much of Nepal in terms of the livelihood of people of many places.

At a brief glance, tourism with the benefits of foreign revenue and employment is always a welcome addition. Tourism however, is a phenomenon that inherently consists of externalities since it involves the consumption of resources by outside actors.

With its rich biodiversity, varied geomorphology, the Himalayas and cultural diversity, Nepal is an ideal destination for tourists. With immense untapped potential for further tourism development, Nepal could benefit even more if tourism were to be managed sustainably.

However, the degradation of the natural state of the environment – pollution, loss of wildlife and habitat, problems with waste management, adverse impacts resulting in decline of local culture and heritage etc. have been documented time and again highlighting the negative impacts of tourism.Tourism is thus a double-edged sword – with obvious benefits but also with serious irreversible negative impacts – the same being exemplified in Nepal. Considering the mentioned dependence of Nepal on tourism, ensuring that tourism is sustainable is key to Nepal’s economy and future.

The state of the development, management and sustainability of tourism in Nepal, despite its importance in the national economy is undefined, fragmented and ambiguous. There exists a cyclic and reciprocal relationship between the state of the environment and tourism and consequently, the need of a united vision and concept for the development and management of tourism is crucial to ensuring not only its sustainability but also in preserving the environment.
Responsible tourism is hereby proposed as the unifying concept for the same.

Responsible Tourism
By definition, responsible tourism is tourism ‘that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit’.

To aid understanding, the concept of Responsible tourism can be understood through Sustainable tourism, the goal of both being the same - sustainable development. While Sustainable tourism points at the obvious need for sustainability, Responsible tourism means taking the initiative, understanding actors involved, studying the impacts and benefits and spreading them out equally, in other words, spreading the responsibility for both impacts and benefits thus ensuring the ability of all levels of actors to act accordingly – be government, tour operators, hospitality industry and even individuals such the tourists themselves.

According to the Cape Town Declaration 2002

» Minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
» Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities
» Improves working conditions and access to the industry
» Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
» Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
» Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
» Provides access for physically challenged people
» Is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence”

The distinguishing characteristic of the approach is the focus on the responsibility of role-players in the tourism sector, and destinations in general, to take action to achieve sustainable tourism development.

Responsible tourism is a global phenomenon and approach that invites people to live locally, think globally and respond personally. It maximizes the benefits and minimizes the negative effects of tourism by engaging the local communities, promoting the use of local good, following best environmentally sound practices and so on. Tourists are now increasingly aware of the need for their travels and holidays to be 'green' and responsible. Following responsible tourism not only guarantees the preservation of the environment but also ensures that Nepal receives tourists who demand green travels.

Nepal and the Need for Responsible Tourism
The need for responsible tourism stems from awareness – awareness of environmental issues, degrading qualities of life support system. Tourism on a global scale is one of the key factors in environmental change. Awareness of environmental issues however is causing a massive transformation in tourism with travellers and locals seeking ways of building constituencies with the shared goal of making tourism sustainable and responsible.

Tourism in Nepal, despite its importance is not sustainable.Nepal has neither an effective waste management program nor strong developmental attributes and has suffered from long periods of political instability. Given these aspects, Responsible tourism is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of tourism is obvious. Responsible tourism divides costs and benefits across all actors without depending solely on the government enabling individuals and businesses as well as communities to do their part. This means greater benefits to both the hosts as well as to the tourists. Responsible tourism, with its focus on sustainability and sustainable development has the potential to connect many smaller ideas together.

Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF)
NETIF is a Non-Government organization founded in 2006 by a group of dedicated environmentalists and tourism entrepreneurs and registered as an NGO in The NGO works towards an economically winning combination of tourism and pristine 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 pristine environment that attracts tourists to the region. NETIF facilitates the transition of rural tourism sectors towards dynamic environmental considerations. NETIF primarily acts as a bridge between the local hospitality entrepreneurs and communities.
With the goal of contributing in the socially responsible, ecologically friendly and economically viable tourism management for the development of Nepal, NTOEDP is NETIF’s model project following the concept of Responsible tourism. Its key features are based upon empowering the local community and promoting community-based ecotourism.

NETIF has been developing Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail (KVCT) since the beginning of 2008. The trail 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. The major areas of intervention made by NETIF in Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking trails are awareness raising and local Institutional development, small scale community infrastructure, local capacity development ,conservation and alternative energy, networking communication and alliance building, research and survey. Almost all the activities were directed towards mitigating the problems such as pollution, energy conservation, waste management, natural resource conservation, addressing the needs of communities as well as tourists. NETIF has been addressing the issues of responsible tourism in following way.

Pollution and Waste Management
NETIF has already completed more than 10 awareness and cleanup campaigns throughout the trails. It has placed more than 300 waste bins, 8 incinerators and 4 garbage management fund in the trails. Further it has also trained people and advocated in the waste management in the trekking trails in various forums.

Energy and Conservation
NETIF partially supported in the instillation of 35 fuel efficient stoves and a wind turbine in the trail. In addition to it, it has also trained community in organic farming, and waste management and planted more than 5000 plants throughout the trail.


Community Involvement
There is an active involvement of local community in the activity implementations. For example Garbage Management Fund is managed by the local communities and even they have their partial contribution in it. In addition to it, local skills and expertise have been mobilized while constructing the infrastructure and in the mean time, local employment has been increasing through the transportation of construction materials to the trail. The local people's capacity has been enhanced through the trainings such as small hotel and lodge management, mushroom and organic vegetable cultivation, local guide training, folk dance and live presentation, corn husk training, basic vegetable farming etc. Most of the skilled people in the trail include women and marginalized ethnic groups of the village.

Natural Resource Conservation
NETIF's activities are also directed towards conservation of natural resources. For example metal poles were used in the construction of incinerators and tourists shelters instead of wooden poles. The waste wood was reused to make signage and information boards and are placed along the trail. More than, 200 conservation of natural resources awareness boards are placed along the trails. A simple guideline for tourist has been developed and placed along the trail. In the future NETIF will make survey on visitors flow and carrying capacity of the trail and prepare a guideline for the operation of green hotels along the trails.

Addressing the needs of local people and the Tourists
For NETIF, local communities have always the entry point for any activities in any geographical area. Their active participation and backup support from various stakeholders is necessary for the sustainability of the trail. Therefore NETIF has constructed 2 multipurpose community centers provided small tourism business development trainings such as vegetable farming, lodge management etc. to address the needs of local community. NETIF's activities have also addressed the needs of the trekkers travelling in the area. It has constructed 16 tourist shelters, 4 public toilet, 2 community houses and 1 entrance gate. The trekking trail has been upgraded and marked, brochures, maps and hoarding boards have been published to address the need of the tourists.

Health and Awareness
NETIF has been sensitive towards the health and awareness of visitors and host communities. It has developed brochures and information boards that create awareness among the tourists' health and security in the trekking trails. The brochures educates tourists what to do, what not to do, what to carry what to eat, about the drinking in the trails. Likewise, in future it has a plan to promote volunteerism and internship program in health sector in the communities touched by the trekking trail.

NETIF's Procurement Policy
NETIF has been using recyclable office materials. Its letterhead is made from handmade Nepali paper. NETIF is in process of developing its procurement policies, where the purchase goods and services will be avoided from the firm where there is child labor, and that use hazardous chemicals that increase risks on human health and environment.

NETIF will continue to implement its activities in the year 2012 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 and corporate houses to practice responsible tourism, mobilization of school going children in the trekking trail for environment awareness, internship program for University students and further initiation of programs in tourism, environment and climate change. So it is worthwhile to say that NETIF's activities are initiatives towards responsible tourism in Nepal.

Nepal’s natural environment is our greatest asset, upon which our businesses and jobs ultimately depend. It is therefore vital that we take measures to protect our nature resources in order to guard against over-exploitation, which could undermine and ability of both current and future generations of Nepalese to benefit from them. The tourism industry plays an important role promoting inter-cultural contacts. Furthermore, Nepal’s rich cultural heritage is a valuable resource in itself. Tourism activities must therefore be developed and managed in close consultation with host communities to guard against exploitation and to ensure that they are protected from unwanted cultural change. Every individual and organisation working in the field of tourism industry must be committed to the betterment of Nepali society, and in particular to host communities in the areas in which they work. Development of a sustainable tourism industry cannot be achieved by individual and organisations working in isolation. To be successful, close co-operation between all stakeholders groups are required.

Objectives

1. Sustainable tourism - tie concept of sustainable tourism with responsible tourism and involve all actors

• Tie sustainable tourism and responsible tourism.
• Prepare concept paper of responsible tourism
• Build taskforce for implementation of concept.
2. Provide a bridging platform between the concepts of responsible tourism and implementation for those involved in tourism.
3. Prepare standards in Nepal as per the international standards for responsible tourism.
4. Promote tourism in Nepal through Responsible Tourism.
5. Inspire tourists to be involved in responsible tourism.

Program

1. To organize a workshop to build the concept of responsible tourism at the central level.
2. Prepare a working paper for the workshop
3. Prepare a responsible tourism task force from the workshop.
4. Prepare resources for responsible tourism such as books brochures learning materials etc. and also find Responsible tourism good practices and publish them.
5. Prepare interaction programs for orientation of concerned members of responsible tourism in any part of Nepal.
6. Organize interaction program and start Action research in one of the places along the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail.
7. Lobby for provision of incentives for those who practice responsible tourism with the government.
8. Raise awareness about responsible tourism through press, publication, programs etc.

Expected Outcomes

1. When tour operators and others involved in tourism incorporate Responsible Tourism in their working practices, tourism in Nepal will have a different identity. - A responsible identity, which can help Nepal, be the first choice for destinations consequently increasing tourism in Nepal.
2. Mitigate the impacts of tourism and resolve conflicts between local communities and those involved in tourism.
3. Those who practice responsible tourism will have the chance of not only fulfilling their Corporate Social responsibility but also have the satisfaction of aiding in conservation and cultural preservation.
4. Give emphasis and priority to local produce thereby improving things for local communities.
5. Biodiversity, environment, waste management preservation of social and cultural heritage etc. as well as economic improvement - Responsible Tourism will contribute to all these.
6. Educate and initiate those involved in tourism into responsible tourism. Make those involved do their part
7. Form certification for those involved in Responsible Tourism - certificates etc.
8. The development of Responsible Tourism will promote healthy competition and gradually improve Responsible Tourism - cyclic effect.
9. Increase quality tourists in Nepal
10. Proper distribution of the benefits of tourism via Responsible Tourism
11. Give special attention to the local governance while moving forward in Responsible tourism Management.
12. PromotingResponsible Tourism through tourist's positive attitudes towards Responsible Tourism and inspiring those involved in tourism to practiceResponsible Tourism.

Opportunities

1. The chance to take the view of all those involved in tourism and come up with a united concept for development of tourism.
2. Steps can be taken to take the concept derived and turn it into a national concept.
3. Implement the Responsible tourism action research into the scope of work of NETIF. In NETIF's scope of work in its policies tourism and conservation from 2009 - 2011, implementation of the concept of Responsible Tourism
4. The results from the action research will make it easier to clarify the concept of Responsible Tourism.
5. Consolidate the various associations involved in tourism and form a federation to make easier.
6. Awareness regarding Responsible Tourism can be spread through the tourists who practice Responsible Tourism

Strategy

1. Take the concept of Public Private Partnership (3P) and try to implement it.
2. All actors involved in Responsible Tourism - from all sides’ ownership - make feel - make the work of building united concept guaranteed.
3. For the development of Responsible Tourism, make policies with government.
4. Implement the built concept as action research. Form a learning cycle though the results of the research and use it to modify future research. Use publications etc. and form a continuous and effective cycle.
5. Keep association with international organizations involved in Responsible Tourism and open a chapter in Nepal.
6. Use a participatory approach with involved actors to form the core values, code of conduct of Responsible Tourism.
7. Involve tourists who practice Responsible Tourism as Responsible Tourism Activist.

Target group

1. National and international tour operators
2. All government and non governmental organizations, ministries, VDO, district tourism development committees, tourism development plan, Nepal tourism board, TAAN, HAAN PATA NMA etc.
3. NGOs and INGOs involved in the development of tourism such as SNV, UNWTO, UNDP, ICIMOD etc.
4. Local communities
5. National and international tourists

Problems

1. Lack of awareness about Responsible Tourism
2. Lack of steps towards Responsible Tourism from both government and private sector in Nepal.
3. Lack of national legislation about Responsible Tourism
4. Lack of desire to promote Responsible Tourism
5. Political instability

Challenges

1. The assumption that Responsible Tourism is an added unnecessary responsibility/duty
2. Difficulties in explaining the benefits of Responsible Tourism to businesses
3. Difficulties in bringing together the key actors required to bring about the concept of Responsible Tourism
4. Lack of interest
5. It is difficult to implement the same concept of Responsible Tourism across all of Nepal due to the diversity spread across Nepal in terms of geography, state of development, awareness. Owing to this fact, 3 levels of plans must be created - special, medium and normal.
6. The chance of tourists being involved in Responsible Tourism is little.
7. Difficulty in attracting quality tourists.

Working Procedure

1. Organize workshops and discussion sessions to develop the concept of Responsible Tourism with all actors involved in tourism - organizations, tour operators etc.
2. Prepare a proposal with the concept of Responsible Tourism
3. Finalize the concept through interactions.
4. Organize interaction and participation programs with the communities and businesses of the tourism destinations according to the concept prepared.
5. Build a Responsible Tourism Task Force to finalize the concept of Responsible Tourism.
6. The Responsible Tourism Task Force shall conduct various programs based upon the Action Research such as Responsible tourism Orientation Programmed, Interactions etc. The task force will also initiative and monitor the progress of such programmed.
7. At the central level, the task force will make efforts to influence the government for policy level decision.
8. Involve both national and international tourists who have been practising/ involved in Responsible Tourism from the initial stages of the preparation of the concept of Responsible Tourism.
9. Invite and seek assistance from both national and international experts in Responsible Tourism - form advisory board. Involve students in the research for study and research.

Responsible tourism – beyond tourism

What responsible tourism can lead to

1. Curb carbon emission
2. Reduce poverty
3. Development (since Responsible Tourism focuses on community)
4. Waste Management
5. Preservation of local culture and heritage (featuring local dances etc.)
6. Organic farming

Responsible Tourism Best Practice Guidelines
Design & furnishing

1. Use environmental friendly colours and/or traditional architectural designs
2. Use local materials where possible for buildings, interiors, and furnishings; they can be incorporated using either contemporary or traditional designs. For example recycled stone or wooden frames, Dhaka weave and other natural fibres for bed covers, table mats, napkins etc.
3. Regular maintenance of the premises reduces the waste of water, electricity, and energy such as water leakages, bad fitting windows and doors, faulty electrical connections.
4. Promote local traditional craftsmanship and art work in your establishment, and offer handicraft versions for your guests to buy.
5. Plan the design of new buildings with care, to save on using unnecessary heaters or air conditioning as well as complying with the earthquake resistant Government regulations.

Food & hygiene

1. Always wash your hands before meals and after using the toilet.
2. Make sure your kitchens and restaurant service areas are of a high hygienic standard – bad hygiene leads to bad food and water which leads to a sick customers and a bad reputation for your business.
3. Use clean, good quality ingredients, the more local the better.
4. Offer hygienic, clean and fresh local food and refreshments to your guests.
5. Encourage the use of organic, locally grown produce to offer to your guests.

Water management

1. Water is precious, save money on your water and laundry bills by asking your guests to consider not changing their towels and linens every day.
2. Collect or redirect your rainwater drainpipes into the garden, pond or containers to use for watering the plants or cleaning the floors and outside areas.
3. Use reusable water containers and water purifying tablets instead of plastic bottles.
4. Don’t pollute natural water sources; keep at least a 30m distance when washing or for sanitary use.
5. The river is for everyone; respect the local wildlife and don’t leave waste products that can harm the animals or fish.
6. All natural kitchen food waste can be easily made into natural compost for your community gardens or terraced plant pots for everyone to enjoy.
7. Install low flush toilets systems and low flow shower heads.

Employee awareness

1. Ensure a fair wage for all.
2. Ensure the guides and porters have appropriate clothing and footwear for the environment they are in; mountains, jungle, or the city.
3. Educate your guides on the local history, monuments, temples and customs so that the tourists can appreciate even more what Nepal has to offer.
4. Limit the weight of the porter’s packs to the regulated amount and according to terrain and altitude.
5. Employ local people for hotel staff, craftsmen and tradesmen for maintenance and repair work and tourist guides.
6. Guides should be responsible for the action of guests around religious sites, when it comes to taking photos and in places like local homes, burial sites and other sites of cultural importance.
7. Support local communities by hiring local guides and porters where ever possible.
8. Offer regular responsible tourism awareness training to all staff so that they understand the importance of caring for the environment and society.
9. Encourage employee of the month initiatives.

Consumer awareness

1. Offer responsible trekking guidelines and other helpful information to your clients.
2. Promote the local nature, cultural sites, and seasonal activities; be proud of the authentic Nepal.
3. Limit your group sizes, offer quality not quantity.
4. Say NO to plastic bags by using reusable shopping jholas.
5. Inform your guests or visitors water and energy conservation practices.
6. Advertise your social responsible practices in your brochures, posters, and websites.
7. Offer questionnaires to your guests for comments and ideas.

Energy conservation

1. Reduce your electricity bills, install CFL light bulbs and don’t leave unnecessary lights or heaters on in unoccupied rooms.
2. Use solar powered showers instead of using fuel wood collected from the forest.
3. Use locally made briquettes for heating and cooking purposes or renewable energy stoves.
4. Conserve energy in the winter and keep doors and windows closed in public areas such as the reception and restaurants.
5. Install light motion sensors in public rest rooms and energy key cards for guest hotel rooms.

Waste management

1. NEVER burn plastic, plastic releases highly toxic fumes into the air and contaminates the soil.
2. Make a profit from Waste, by organising your staff to separate the daily garbage and sell plastic, glass, paper, waste fabric and other items to suppliers.
3. Always carry your non-biodegradable waste back to the city.
4. Carry your equipment in and out or donate unwanted clothes or gear to an organisation back in Kathmandu.
5. Toilet waste at high mountain altitudes, above the tree line, must be either buried under rock or snow away from the trail.
6. Work with your local community and sponsor a sweeper or waste bin around the village streets.
7. Provide your guides and porters with rubbish bags to bring back the waste you create.
8. Please leave picnic areas and trails clean and tidy when you leave, so that others can enjoy them as much as you have; take home your garbage with you.
9. Reduce your printed paper consumption; print only essential documents and use electronic advertising and social networks.
10. Use more locally available fresh products and reduce the amount of plastic packaging without compromising on hygiene standards.

Community/social involvement

1. Respect the local customs and cultures and be sensitive to your dress, body language whether visiting religious places or out in the rural villages.
2. Don’t give money to children begging, support the local community by buying locally made souvenirs or donating educational materials to a local school.
3. Respect the local community; don’t swim naked in the river or streams.
4. Work with the local communities in environment and development initiatives in your tour areas and villages and showcase the projects to your clients.
5. Share your practices with the local communities and participate in school eco clubs and activities.

Natural resource & forest conservation

1. Please leave picnic areas clean and tidy when you leave, so that others can enjoy it as much as you have.
2. Wear forest friendly clothing to not disturb the local wildlife.
3. Don’t make open fires on the trail or picnic areas, purchase locally made briquettes for heating and cooking.
4. Keep to the trail; make good use of the facilities on the trail such as rest shelters, public toilets, information sign boards and waste bins.
5. Camp in established sites, don’t cut or clear trees and forest areas
6. Do not move or disturb rocks or cairns as they may be important indicators for others en route.
7. Do not swim in the rivers in national parks or forests.
8. Don’t pick plants or flowers, enjoy them in their natural beauty – take a photo or memory.

Health management & safety awareness

1. When on rafting or adventure activities, ensure safety at all times; always follow the instructions of your experienced guide don’t put yourself or others in danger.
2. Take care for the health of your guides, porters, and clients especially for altitude sickness, have emergency plans in place.
3. Buses should take care of your passengers; don’t move off until they have safely sat down or left the vehicle.
4. Drive with care; especially on mountain roads and busy streets.
5. Provide health and safety training for your guides and porters.
6. Don’t walk alone at night in the parks or forests.

Procurement policies

1. Support your local farmers and cultural entrepreneurs – buy fresh organic produce and handicrafts; hire cultural dance performers to entertain your guests.
2. Support the rural communities your clients visit by using their services, use lodges that have solar power hot water showers, that use locally made sustainable briquettes for heating and cooking, and have proper toilet and rubbish disposal systems.
3. Avoid carrying food from the city on treks and adventures, organise with the local communities to supply clean, healthy hot Nepali meals such as Dhal Bhat using local produce rather than plastic wrapped imported goods.
4. Buy in bulk and reduce the amount of packaging waste.
5. Use as many locally made and/or eco-friendly products as possible.

Air quality & noise pollution

1. Don’t use the horn excessively, especially when passing through villages.
2. Save on gas and oil; don’t leave the engine running when the vehicle is not moving.
3. Join carbon emission reduction projects and help plant trees, develop roads in a greener sustainable way.
4. Respect the natural environment when out in the forest or picnic areas; do not play loud music or make a loud noise.
5. In all cases your company should plan tours that have the minimal transport required. Also pay attention to vehicles used and the emissions they produce. Vehicles should be clean and well maintenance and aide by emission policies as set by the government.

- General

1. NEVER burn plastic, plastic releases highly toxic fumes into the air and contaminates the soil.
2. Ensure a fair wage for all.
3. Manage your electrical items – if you are not using them turn the off!
4. Share your practices with the local communities and participate in school eco clubs and activities.
5. Be a responsible citizen, help others and the environment.

- hotels & resorts

1. Make a profit from Waste, by organising your staff to separate the daily garbage and sell plastic, glass, paper, waste fabric and other items to suppliers.
2. Water is precious, save money on your water and laundry bills by asking your guests to consider not changing their towels and linens every day.
3. Reduce your electricity bills, install CFL light bulbs and don’t leave unnecessary lights or heaters on in unoccupied rooms, install light motion sensors in public rest rooms and energy key cards for guest rooms.
4. Collect or redirect your rainwater drainpipes into the garden, pond or containers to use for watering the plants or cleaning the floors and outside areas.
5. Support your local farmers and cultural entrepreneurs – buy fresh organic produce and handicrafts; hire cultural dance performers to entertain your guests.

– tourists

1. Please leave picnic areas clean and tidy when you leave, so that others can enjoy it as much as you have.
2. Always wash your hands before meals and after using the toilet.
3. Respect the local customs and cultures and be sensitive to your dress, body language whether visiting religious places or out in the rural villages.
4. Use reusable water containers and water purifying tablets instead of plastic bottles.
5. Don’t give money to children begging, support the local community by buying locally made souvenirs or donating educational materials to a local school.

– trekking agents

1. Wear forest friendly clothing to not disturb the local wildlife.
2. Don’t make open fires on the trail or picnic areas, purchase locally made briquettes for heating and cooking.
3. Keep to the trail; make good use of the facilities on the trail such as rest shelters, public toilets, information sign boards and waste bins.
4. Support the rural communities your clients visit by using their services, use lodges that have solar power hot water showers and use locally made sustainable briquettes for heating and cooking.
5. Always carry your non-biodegradable waste back to the city.

– rafting

1. Don’t pollute natural water sources; keep at least a 30m distance when washing or for sanitary use.
2. Ensure safety at all times; always follow the instructions of your experienced guide don’t put yourself or others in danger.
3. The river is for everyone; respect the local wildlife and don’t leave waste products that can harm the animals or fish.
4. Respect the local community; don’t swim naked in the river or streams.
5. Camp in established sites, don’t cut or clear trees and forest areas.

– tour operators

1. Offer responsible trekking guidelines and other helpful information to your clients.
2. Promote the local nature, cultural sites, and seasonal activities; be proud of the authentic Nepal.
3. Limit your group sizes, offer quality not quantity.
4. Work with the local communities in environment and development initiatives in your tour areas and villages and showcase the projects to your clients.
5. Reduce your printed paper; use electronic advertising and social networks.

– mountain expeditions

1. Avoid carrying food from the city on treks and adventures, organise with the local communities to supply clean, healthy hot Nepali meals such as Dhal Bhat using local produce rather than plastic wrapped imported goods.
2. Carry your equipment in and out or donate unwanted clothes or gear to an organisation back in Kathmandu.
3. Do not move or disturb rocks or cairns as they may be important indicators for others en route.
4. Take care for the health of your staff and clients especially for altitude sickness, have emergency plans in place.
5. Toilet waste must be either buried under rock or snow away from the trail.

– transport

1. Don’t use the horn excessively, especially when passing through villages.
2. Save on gas and oil; don’t leave the engine running when the vehicle is not moving.
3. Take care of your passengers; don’t move off until they have safely sat down or left the vehicle.
4. Drive with care; especially on mountain roads and busy streets.
5. Join carbon emission reduction projects and help plant trees, develop roads in a greener sustainable way.

– restaurants & shops

1. Make sure your kitchens and restaurant service areas are of a high hygienic standard – bad hygiene leads to bad food and water which leads to a sick customers and a bad reputation for your business.
2. All natural kitchen food waste can be easily made into natural compost for your community gardens or terraced plant pots for everyone to enjoy.
3. Use clean, good quality ingredients, the more local the better.
4. Say NO to plastic bags by using reusable shopping jholas.
5. Work with your local community and sponsor a sweeper or waste bin around the village streets.

– guides & porters

1. Ensure the guides and porters have appropriate clothing and footwear for the environment they are in; mountains, jungle, or the city.
2. Provide health and safety training for your guides and porters.
3. Educate your guides on the local history, monuments, temples and customs so that the tourists can appreciate even more what Nepal has to offer.
4. Provide your guides and porters with rubbish bags to bring back the waste you create.
5. Limit the weight of the porter’s packs to the regulated amount and according to terrain and altitude.

– lodges & tea houses

1. Use solar powered showers instead of using fuel wood collected from the forest.
2. Offer hygienic, clean and fresh local food and refreshments to your guests.
3. Use locally made briquettes for heating and cooking purposes or renewable energy stoves.
4. Use environmental friendly colours and/or traditional architectural designs
5. Take care of your water use, collect rain water for your garden.

– national parks and picnic areas

1. Please leave picnic areas and trails clean and tidy when you leave, so that others can enjoy them as much as you have; take home your garbage with you.
2. Respect the natural environment; do not play loud music or make a loud noise.
3. Do not swim in the rivers.
4. Don’t pick plants or flowers, enjoy them in their natural beauty – take a photo or memory.
5. Don’t walk alone at night in the parks or forests.
 

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