A Study on Pilgrimage Tourism in Manakamana A study of Manakamana Temple, Manakamana VDC, Gorkha

Abstract

Tourism today is one of the fastest growing industries throughout the world. Tourism has tremendous growth potential as it stimulates the growth of the overall economy. It can help in solving chronic economic problems like unemployment, regional disparities and poverty in less developed countries like Nepal. It can generates income, raise standard of living of people, helps in having better social and political relations among regions and raises physical and moral well being of all people every where. Thus, it can be said that tourism is a movement against all types of backwardness. This Study entitled “A Study on Pilgrimage Tourism (A Case Study of Manakamana Devi Temple in Manakamana VDC, ward no.3, Gorkha District, Nepal)” was conducted with the objectives of assessing the tourist trend, and analyzes the socio economic impacts and role of Cable Car on local people and environment due to pilgrimage tourism. This study explored the impact using descriptive research strategy in which primary data were collected using the techniques of field survey with the help of three sets of questionnaire, field visit and observation. First set of questionnaires were asked with the local Household to evaluate the impact on socio-cultural, Economic and Environmental sectors. Second set of questionnaires were asked to the local entrepreneurs to analyze the impact in economic sector and final set of questionnaires were asked with the tourists pilgrims to find their Purpose for visit ,expenditure pattern and problems in their view. Secondary data has been collected from the different books and research articles. T. U. central library and official record at Manakamana VDC office for this study. The information collected from primary sources have been molded and edited as per the requirement and objectives of research and data has been analyzed with the help of computer program, simple statistical tool like table, graph, percentage and average has been used for the data analysis . The study area consists of 115 HHs with total population of 650, no. of hotels 100 and small scale shops owned by local people and tourists visiting the study area. Out of which 20 HHs, 5 hotels, 5 small scale shops and 20 tourists were taken for the study on the random basis. There were around115 households (HHs) in which most of the houses are with galvanized iron roof with mud bonded brick or stone wall, some with brick or stone houses bonded with cement and few with R.C.C pillar system in the Manakamana VDC with total population of VDC 6203consisting 3327 female and 2876 male. During the study it is found that Magar (50%) were the main caste, Agriculture (45%) was the main occupation, the average family size of the sample HHs were 4.45 persons per family, average literacy rate 75%. When the respondents were asked about the impact on socio-cultural sector the major finding was health sector in social aspect, 80% respondents of study area felt that Health service facilities was same as before where as only 20% felt that there was positive impact but the responded had not commented properly on the cultural sector.60% visitors responded that their main purpose of visit was for pilgrimage purpose while 35% visitors responded for spending holiday and for recreation. In economic study of the area, the income level of the local household was improved by selling the local products, arts and handicrafts to the local entrepreneurs and visitors varying from 10% to 50%.. The expenditure pattern by the visitors shows that they were mostly for the pilgrimage aspect. Very few visitors responded for high expenditure during their visit. Hotels and small entrepreneurs in the study area were able to generate 60% of employment opportunities to the local people. 75% of the respondents felt that there was negative impact on solid waste and disposal where as 85% respondents for negative impact in drainage system and majority of the responded commented for positive impact on water, soil, forest and most local people said that tourism activities has increased the air pollution in the study area due to the movement of people and services. After installation of cable car, almost all respondents agreed that their income has increased as a result of increment in no. of tourist. It has advertised the VDC well and supported to run their business and has made good earning for living. In contrary, they also expressed dissatisfaction over increased in crowd, pollutions, conflicts and some social evils. The most disadvantaged people are potters; their job has been found in danger after MCC. From the study it was found that most of the HHs said that the Pilgrimage tourism activities have brought major positive change in the social sector like education, involvement of people in social work, Women and child Health Condition where as health service, drinking facilities, while moral and social values has changed little bit. Most of the local HHs and entrepreneurs were satisfied that the tourism activity was able to increase their HHs economic level and the local economy after construction of Cable Car. Major environmental concerned was solid waste disposal, drainage system and existing earthen road due to tourism activities. Thus, pilgrimage tourism activities have brought positive changes in social sector, economic situation and some negative impact in the environmental condition. A proper preservation and conservation strategy with involvement of all the stakeholders are most for sustainable promotion and development of temple sites.