Name of the Workhop: Promotion of Responsible
Tourism for Sustainable Tourism Development in
Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail
Date: 28th April 2012
Venue: Chisopani
Speakers: Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, Mr.
Dipak Mahat, Dr. Ananda, Mr. Arun Shrestha and Mr.
Bijay KC
By: Prabin Paudel
NETIF strongly believes that Responsible Tourism(RT)
is a key factor for the promotion of sustainable
tourism development of Nepal. For the promotion of
RT at Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail (KVCTT),
a one day interactive Workshop on “Promotion
of Responsible Tourism for Sustainable Tourism
Development in Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking
Trail ” was organized at Chisopanion on 28th
April 2012, where various tourism professionals,
representatives from Shivapuri Nagarjun Natioanl
Park, local hotels, women groups, teachers, farmers
were present and discussed about the importance of
RT on local perspectives . One of the major
objectives of workshop was to aware of the impacts
of tourism on the natural, social and economic of an
area and to ensure equitable livelihoods for the
society. At the same time, the workshop also
emphasized about how RT will take responsibility for
making tourism more sustainable for everyone.
On the occasion, tourism expert Mr. Prachanda Man
Shrestha discussed about overall tourism scenario
and benefits of the tourism by maintaining its
bio-diversity and gaining opportunities by
developing various types of activities at Chisopani
area like- horse riding, village walk, home stay,
jungle walk, bird watching etc. Mr Shrestha also
emphasized on quality tourism by adapting different
marketing strategies for the promotion of
eco-tourism of an area.
Similarly, Mr. Dipak Mahat, the past President of
TAAN stressed about methods of practicing RT at
Chisopani by adapting public private partnership
models by enhancing environment conservation, waste
management, maintaining good relationship with
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and providing equal
opportunities to local village. He further added
that Chisopani as a destination should link with
other major popular trails like Helembhu and
Langtang region and make combine efforts of
developing other activities like mountain bike
circuit, yoga center, home stay, rainbow trout
farming etc. for the sustainability of the
destination.
Dr. Anata Yogi from discussed about the importance
of Yoga to become healthy and creative. Dr. Anata
also requested for the support to establish Yoga
Center at Chisopani. As it could be one of the
attractive product of an area.
The President of NETIF, Mr. Arun Shrestha made
presentation about linking NETIF activities with RT.
At the same time Mr Shrestha focused about
challenges, importance, opportunities and future
program of NETIF with practices of RT in the project
activities. Mr. Shrestha further added about the
sharing the equal benefit from the tourism by
harmonizing different local stakeholders for the
economic and employment opportunities, especially
for the young people, women groups, poor and
backward communities by encouraging them into
different activities like organic farming, cultural
dance, guiding and other.
The program was concluded by President of Chisopani
Environment & Tourism Development Forum (CETDF), Mr.
Bijay K.C. Mr K.C imphasised about adopting RT in
the area, with the coordination of different
stakeholders. He further requested all hoteliers to
place the environment fund box at the proper place
and sale the panoramic pictures for the support of
environment conservation of the area.
During the workshop, “Chisopani Brochure” was
inaugurated and distributed to the stakeholders. The
ultimate aim of the workshop was to create an
atmosphere where all the stakeholders can work in a
consolidate form to adopt RT as one of the tools for
the sustainable tourism development of an area. The
workshop was a regular activity of Nepal Environment
and Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF), which has
been developing cultural trekking routes around the
Kathmandu valley with the support of Suomen Latu
–Finnish INGO. The trail displays the best of
Nepal’s rural culture, biodiversity and stunning
Himalayan views. This year (2012), NETIF has
extended its trekking trail around Shivapuri
Nagarjun National Park. The trekking trail is all
the way from Budhanilkanta (Pani Muhan), Nagi Gomba,
Bagdwar, Shivapuri Peak, Chisopani and then to
Shundarijal. This trail has potentialities of
getting reorganization as an eco-trail. The
eco-trail can be developed both for hikers and
trekkers. So far NETIF has established tourist rest
shelters, community houses, waste collectors,
incinerators, trekking trail promotion activities
such as route marking signage etc. NETIF works
through local partners called Tourism Development
Committees along the trekking trail (KVCTT) and has
already implemented village clean up campaigns,
trainings on waste management, hotel management,
food and hygiene, eco-guiding, handicrafts
production, organic farming and other various
capacity building trainings in the communities.
NETIF is planning to organize RT workshop in all its
destinations of KVCTT to prepare guidelines and to
share knowledge of operating social responsible
business in coming days.
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