Chapter - I
Background
The desire to invigorate Nepal’s rural economy through tourism and sustain its lifeline – a pristine, vibrant natural environment – gave rise to NETIF, Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation. Founded as a non-governmental organization in 2006, and registered in 2008.
With bases in Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, Nepal, NETIF works with local communities and international specialists to develop and sustain the environment and rural tourism enterprises that will attract tourists to the project area; to develop products that meet the needs of the present tourist market and the people living in the project regions while protecting the environment and enhancing the rural villages and trekking trails which will create unlimited opportunities for the future of rural tourism in Nepal.
NETIF believes that networking and local community involvement is the key to the success of our projects and we facilitate it through all levels of the community, right from the humble villager up to the top of the government ladder and everything in-between, from the National Parks and I/NGO’s to tourism enterprises. By doing this we aim to build a solid infrastructure that can be used as a platform to develop our ideas and as a model that can be used in other regions throughout Nepal as well.
NETIF’s main project and the one being evaluated by the SWC is the Nepal Tourism, Outdoor and Environment Development Project (NTOEDP) which covers the three districts of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kavre and commenced on the 1st of January 2009 to the 31st December 2010, the projects main product was the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail (KVCTT). NETIF has approached the SWC to evaluate the progress of the project. The project has been evaluated by the Social Welfare Councils (SWC) designated two member evaluation team.
Objectives of the Evaluation
The objectives of Monitoring and Evaluation are as follows:
a) To analyze the progress of the project (NTOEDP).
b) To study and analyze the change brought about by the project and its effectiveness and achievements.
c) To study and analyze the contribution made by the project in achieving its target and outcomes.
d) Field survey and analysis of the implementation strategies and process.
e) To analyze aspects of continuation, sustainability (financial and social) and cost effectiveness.
f) To explore and analyze the difficulties/obstacles faced and offer resolutions.
g) To analyze the aspect of coordination and partnership among the project management, organization and local line agencies
h) To analyze the financial aspect (Program cost, admin cost, financial regularities, discipline and transparency)
i) To analyze the uses and documentation status of the expandable and non expandable properties/materials of the project.
j) To study and describe the situation of renewal and auditing, process.
k) To study the regulation and buy laws to maintain financial discipline of the organization.
Team Formation
The following two staff from Social Welfare Council was assigned to this M/E program.
1. Ram Sharma - Team Leader
Acting Deputy Director
2. Prakash Bhatti - Team Member
Administration Assistant
Area of M/E
The Team has visited five districts of the project site throughout Bhaktapur and Kavre.
Methodology of M/E
a) Field visits
b) Interviews with beneficiaries, women’s groups, concern line agencies and focus groups.
c) Study the progress reports, audit reports and other relevant documents.
d) Discussion with NETIF Officials and Board Members
Project Duration:
The project duration was from the 1st Jan. 2009 to 31st Dec. 2010
Project site:
The project is implemented in 3 districts of the Central Development Region. Districts are: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kavre. The project area starts from Sundarijal via Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and ends in Panauti. The area covers Municipalities and 16 VDCs of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kavre districts.
Chapter - II
Description of the Project
The main area of focus for NETIF is “Better Environment for Better Tourism”. The NTOEDP is a project that aims to develop sustainable tourism in rurally poor and semi urban areas. The key points of the NTOEDP include the development of the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail, creation of income and employment generating sustainable businesses, infrastructure development, capacity building training programs for local people, organic farming promotion, introduction of alternative energies, waste management and village clean ups and the overall promotion of the Kathmandu Valley Trekking Trail in the national and international tourism arena.
Suomen Latu, a Finish organization for outdoors and recreation is supporting NETIF finically for this project. The project’s main objectives are to promote community based eco tourism, to enhance the environment for better tourism, to support the local communities and tourism entrepreneurs, to develop and promote locally made products, to enhance local capacity to manage tourism as well as product development and promotion. For the success of the project the key points are capacity building, networking and alliance building with all stakeholders right from the villagers through to local business, government and international organization.
Activities implemented under project
The following activities have been undertaken within the project bounds.
1. Awareness raising and local institutional development
2. Small scale community infrastructure
3. Local capacity development
4. Model destinationdevelopment in rural tourism
5. Networking and alliance building in tourism and environment management.
6. Conservation and alternative energy implementation
7. Promotional activities
8. Research/Survey
9. Philanthropic activities like blood donations programs, clean up campaigns, trekking trail maintenance, information and signage’s along the trekking trails
Awareness and Local Institutional Building
· 4 Tourism Development Committees formed and mobilized.
· 4 Tourism and Environment Management Funds created.
· 4 local organizations formed.
Small Scale Infrastructure
· 10 incinerators constructed in the major settlements
· 320 waste collection bins placed throughout the trail
· 2 Community buildings constructed
· 3 public toilets constructed
· A new entrance gate constructed in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park at Sundarijal
· 12 Tourist rest houses constructed along the trekking trail
· 6000 meters trail upgraded
· 100 wooden signage’s carved and placed along the trail
· 100 wooden awareness boards carved and placed along trails
Local Capacity Building
· 38 people trained in Small Hotel and Lodge management
· 28 people trained in Mushroom and off seasonal vegetable Cultivation
· 25 people trained in Doll making from Corn husk (Waste to Resources)
· 31 local people trained in Local Tour Guiding
· 30 local hoteliers trained in Waste to Resources: Doll making from clothe waste
· 22 local Dhulikhel hoteliers trained in Food and Personal Hygiene and Sanitation in Hotels
· 82 people trained in Mushroom and Briquette making in Dhulikhel, Chisapani, Nagarkot and Mulkharka.
· Field visit program with all the participants of Mushroom Training to different places of Mushroom cultivation and Markets.
Networking and alliance building
· More than 10 cleanup campaigns completed in various destinations.
· 1 workshop organized on Organic farming
· 1 workshop organized in Waste management Issues in Tourist Destination
· 1 workshop conducted on Heritage conservation in Sustainable Tourism around Panauti Area
· Celebrated the Wild life Conservation Week with Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
· Tree plantation, cleanup program, distribution of cleaners uniforms, distribution of panoramic posters, distribution of vegetable bags, Blood donation programs, placing of hoarding boards and Organic Exhibition done during Earth Day 2010.
· Blood Donation Program held in Nagarkot and Dhulikhel.
· Construction of community houses in Mulkharka (Women’s Group) and Nagarkot (Nagarkot Naldum Tourism Development Committee)
How does NETIF work with Local Stake Holders?
· Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation – Signed a MoU for three years (from 2010 to 2012) which covers the betterment of the trekking trails. According to the MoU, The Ministry will initiate the construction of medium and small scale infrastructure projects and NETIF shall initiate the promotion and construction of micro infrastructure, capacity enhancement of community in tourism management and social mobilization (Trekking route indication, notice boards, map’s, resting places, waste management, cleaning and minor repair and other necessary works Along the KVCTT).
· Nepal Tourism Board – NETIF is planning to sign a MoU for future workings with NETIF in the project area. In the past the NTB has worked with NETIF for the promotion and partial funding of events like Hike and Bike etc and seminars. As per the MoU draft paper, after the phase out of NETIF’s involvement in the project, NETIF will hand over all the project documents (like brochures, DVD’s, Posters and other promotional materials) to the NTB for the sustainable tourism promotion of the KVCTT.
· DDC (Kavre, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu) – NETIF has provided yearly progress and audit reports to the three DDC’s. The DDC’s are also planning to work in conjunction with NETIF in the future for the promotion and sustainable tourism development of the trekking trail.
· Dhulikhel Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Dhulikhel – Worked together in various environment and tourism related programs.
· Dhulikhel Municipality – NETIF has a MoU with the Dhulikhel Municipality for waste management, gardening and tree planting within the main business district of Dhulikhel. Presently seven workers are involved in this project which is partially funded by NETIF (60% NETIF, 40% DM).
· Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park – NETIF had an understanding with the National Park to work inside the NP area regarding waste management, wildlife conservation, environment protection, trail maintenance, small infrastructure development (tourist rest houses and view decks), rubbish bins, and incinerators and also in supporting alternative energy programs with the local people. The NP has also agreed to give free entry fees for participants of NETIF’s promotional events.
Conservation and Alternative Energy
· Partial support to Wind Turbine instillation in Chisapani.
· Partial support to improved cooking stove instillation in 34 households in Mulkharka.
· More than 5000 trees planted in Dhulikhel and Panauti areas.
· 3 Landslide protection walls constructed in landslide prone areas.
· Partial support on ecological resources management in Haibung (Sindhupalchoak)
· Supported in Wild Life Conservation Weekly program, Organized by Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
· Encouraging and educating about the use of alternative energies like briquettes
· Active education amongst villagers about the dangers of deforestation
· Formation of the student body – “Sanjivani Eco Club” for local environmental awareness and waste management in Dhulikhel.
Research /Survey
· NETIF conducted a baseline survey/feasibility study of the trekking trail in 2008. According to that study, the project had been proposed to the Finnish Government and Soumen Latu. For this study, Kathmandu University Students and Professors where utilized for this study. The Base Line Study was conducted throughout the trekking trail area which is 72 km. As per this study the 2009/10 project was approved and initiated.
· Two surveys completed on Quality, Quantity and managerial aspects of Solid Waste Management (Nagarkot and Dhulikhel) by KU environmental students.
· One Feasibility study on Livelihood Improvement through Agro tourism in trekking Trail (Mulkharka to Chisapani).
· Study of Solid Waste management in between Sundarijal Chisapani and Jhule Corridor in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park for Sustainable Wildlife Tourism.
· Study of garbage management Practices between Mulkharka and Bagdwar within Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park for Superior Wildlife Eco tourism.
Promotional activities
· 1000 brochures published on Kathmandu valley cultural trail in 2009 & 2010
· 3 Website developed and regularly updated www.netif-nepal.org, NETIF Blog and www.visitnagarkot.com
· 8 hoarding boards including tourism resource maps developed.
· Media coverage of trekking trails in 10 major medias of Nepal
· A Guidebook published on Trekking trail
· Production of the Himalayan Panoramic view poster
· Presentation of Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail in THIRD NEPAL TOURISM FAIR/THIRD HIMALAYAN MART
· Travel Log Preparation on Kathmandu Valley Cultural trekking trails
· Travel log telecasted through Nepal Television (On going)
· Hike & Bike event organized from Sundarijal to Chisapani & Chisapani to Sundarijal.
· Participated in PATA adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism conference & Mart 2010.
· Visit to Finland by president of NETIF.
· Visit to Fiji by Project Coordinator of NETIF to present
· Participated in “ Sustainable Community Course, bridging gap between research & action” at Kenya, organized by Helisinki University of Technology, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Nairobi University, UNEP , UN Habitat and program supported by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
· Hiking program organized from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel.
· Technical support to NRN on hiking program from Dhulikhel to Namobudhha.
· Publication of NETIF e-newsletter.
· Orange Blossom promotional hike between Namobuddha and Balthali
· Production of promotional event T-Shirts, Bags and Caps
Target & Achievement
Within the Year 2009
S.no / Activities / Target / Achievement1 / Trainings / 8 / 8
2 / Workshop / 2 / 3
3 / Tourist Shelter / 4 / 7
4 / Incinerator / 8 / 10
5 / Toilet / 2 / 1
6 / Gate / 2 / 1
7 / Community Centre / 4 / 2
8 / Waste Bin / 200
9 / Maintenance Trail / 6000 m
10 / Wooden Signage / 60 / 60 pcs
11 / Tree Plantation / 5000 / 5000+ pcs
12 / Clean Up Campaign / 4 / 4
Note: Number of achievements made as the Euro value increased. NETIF was able to use the extra money by building additional rest shelters, incinerators and placing more waste bins along the trail
Within the Year 2010
S.no / Activities / Target / Achievement1 / Trainings / 8 / 6
2 / Workshop / 2 / 0
3 / Promotional Events / 0 / 4
4 / Tourist Shelter / 4 / 5
5 / Toilet / 1 / 2
6 / Waste Bin / 0 / 400 nos
7 / Maintenance Trail / 6000 m
8 / Wooden Signage / 100 / 150 pcs
9 / Tree Plantation / 2000 / 2000+ pcs
10 / Clean Up campaign / 4 / 10+
Note: in some cases the target value could not be met due to the decrease of the Euro value and the reduction of the fund to the amount of €6,500
Summary of field visit and observation
A preliminary discussion was held with the officials of NETIF in Kathmandu and finalized the details for the field study. Since it was practically not possible to cover all the project areas during the field study, it was decided to select the district on a sampling basis and finally two districts were selected for the field study. The districts are: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kavre.