Every Year More and More Tourists Travel to Nepal to Visit the Upper Regions of the Himalayas

Every year more and more tourists travel to Nepal to visit the upper regions of the Himalayas for trekking. The upper regions of the Himalayas such as Annapurna, Mt Everest, Langtang, Upper Mustang and its people are receiving many thousands of visitors every year. The presence of these tourists demands resources, such as heating, food, timber and water.

In order to provide timber for lodges and heating, a great deal of forest has been cut down to for the sake of tourism. The result of this is landslides, lack of agricultural soils, lack of pasture land etc.

A large amount of rubbish is being left behind the visiting tourists, especially in the upper regions. The result is not only a visual shock, but contributes to the pollution of water streams, flora and fauna.

Wildlife poaching, begging and the loss of cultural treasures are all part of the negative impact of tourism in the Himalayas.

Act now to make a better future for the environment and the local people of Nepal!

”Take nothing but pictures,

leave nothing but footprints”

[6]

Cook meals together with other

trekkers, and save fuel. [1]

Pack warm clothes, to not [7]

depend so much on fires and

wood, for warmth.[2]

Preserve Nepal’s culture by

avoiding buying local artefacts.

Buying local food,

services and accommodation [8]

supports the local people, but

please pay fair prices. Avoid

giving begging children

money.[3]

Use a disposal

bag for any rubbish that can not

be burnt. Use disposal stations![4]

[5]

Bring a robust water bottle that can be reused to reduce the

plastic consumption of bottled water.

Treat drinking water with iodine.[9]

Explore, but please stick to the main trails to

prevent erosion.[10]

[6]

[1] Banskota, K and Sharma, B. (1998) Mountain Tourism for local community development in Nepal: a case study of Upper Mustang. Discussion paper seires No. MEI 98/1. ICIMOD, Kathmandu.

[7]

[2] Wertine, T. A., 1973, Pyrotechnology: Man’s first industrial uses of fire.American Scientist, 61670-82.

Goudie. A, (1993), The human impact on the natural environment. Fourth edition. Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Pg 30-31 37-48.

[8]

[3]Gurung, J.B. 1998 Upper Mustang conservation and development project’s field related problems and issues. A paper presented at the Officers Meeting held at ACAP Headquarters in Pokhara, 2-4 February 1998, pg 10.

[4] Johri, P.K. (2005) Encyclopedia of Tourism in the 21st century. By: J.L. Kumar for Anmol Publocations, New Dehli. Pg. 215

[5] Chadha S.K. (1990) Himalayas Envirnomental Problems.S.B. Nangia for Ashish Publishing House. Pg 134-135.

6 Buckley. M (2008) Shangri-La; A Guide to the Himalayan Dream. Bradt Travel Guides Ltd. Pg 165

7Singh. P.J. (Prem Singh Jina) (1994) Tourism in Ladakh Himalaya. Indus Publishing Company. Pg 145

8 Holden. A (2000) Environment and Tourism. Routledge. Pg 88. Box. 3.7.

[9]Mayhew. B and Bindloss. J (2009) Trekking in the NepalHimalaya. Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd. Pg (47)

[10]Cox. M.S., Fulsaas. K (2003) Mountaineering: the freedom of the hills. The Mountaineers Books. Pg 123-124

Other References:

First Page text: Sparrowhawk, J. and Holden, A. (1999) Human Development: the Role of Tourism Based NGOs in Nepal, Tourism recreation research, 24(2) : 37-44

First Picture Last accessed on 11/4 2011 12:00

Mt Everest Rubbish: Last accessed on 11/4 2011 12:30