Problems and Prospects of Tourism in Lumbini

Abstract

Nepal has unequal ecological and natural environment variation ranging from the tarai plains to mountain and high Himalayas representing richness in biological and cultural diversity. It has been found that the area has huge potential of tourism development as in other destination of the country like Biodiversity, endangered fauna like crocodile and python etc. And their habitat, natural scenario, fishing, cultural and religious tourism etc have been found great potentialities of attracting various nature tourist. The study problem and prospect of tourism in Lumbini was carried out with the objective to analyze socio-economic situation around Lumbini anf problem and prospect of tourism in Lumbini Madhubani VDC ward 7 has been selected for the study. 17 local people, 17 hotel owner and 17 tourist were interviewed using different sampling methods. Tourism industry has several problems and prospects in Lumbini. Geographically Lumbini is situated about 327 km southwest from ktm, 175 km southwest from pokhara, 25 km from Sunauli (Nepal India border) and 22 km west from Bhairahawa. To reduce the overall poverty through creation of income and employment generating activities is the key sector. We find from tourism sector. At the exiting tourism development approach in Lumbini. The potentiality and essentiality of tourism in Lumbini is really natural, cultural, religious for all Nepalese. It is also near from major cities of Nepal (Butwal Bhairahawa) as well as has high accessibility. From results of the study shows there is a great potentiality for tourism in Lumbini. In spite of its strength , like transportation facilities, rich biodiversity, cultural diversity and religious values etc. the area has not been found properly developed due to weakness like lack of awareness, negligence of government, economic deficiency lack of publicity and promotion etc. In the study area, economic gain, utilization of local resources improvement on livelihood, publicity of the area, conservation of culture etc. have been found to be opportunity of tourism development of the area. Along with this threats on biodiversity, change in religion, prostitution and other negative impacts are observed in the area.