Impact of Village Tourism in Rural Development (A Case Study of Ghandruk VDC, Kaski District)

Abstract

This thesis entitled “IMPACT OF VILLAGE TOURISM IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF GHANDRUK VDC, KASKI DISTRICT” has been prepared and presented as the academic requirement of the Master Degree programmed in Rural Development. This is the result of extensive study which is presented in the form of prescribed setting with due to consideration. Some theoretical explanation along with the Nepalese experiences in different sector of economy, cultural, environment as well as social and cultural relationship between the tourists and the host. This will help to generate the concept and consideration of tourists in Nepalese perspective and the real scenario with the efforts of tourism in Nepal and Ghandruk VDC. Ghandruk VDC has been an important place since the distant past. Which is one the unique rural tourism destination and culturally rich and naturally beautiful land of wonderful indigenous people, the Gurung. Ghandruk has good potentially of tourism development. There are lots of tourism resources. Some resources are not explored yet. Tourism has been found beneficial as well as necessary in the area. It has been experiences, that tourism is only one viable sector. This can help to alleviate poverty from this area. Positive impacts of tourism are found in the economy of the people, which proves that tourism has given some economics opportunities, farmers have got market to their farm products, ancient art and culture which are about to vanish started reviving, local people started getting more facilities from infrastructural development, tourist arrival is getting increased every year which are good signals. Negative impacts of tourism are found on environment: pollution, waste management and sanitation problems. Which are increasing? Price has hiked on all commodities; daily life has become more expensive. People are being dependent on tourism so collapse of tourism industry may take them to a zero level position, influence and imitation of western style is increasing especially on young generation they are more individualistic and materialistic. The benefit of tourism is not equally distributed, a few groups are being able to take more advantage, however lower class people are not being able to take more benefits. Finally we recommended that Ghandruk has wide tourism potentially, the main activities of Ghandruk for tourist is trekking and mountaineering, pleasure and peaceful environment. It has been observed that village tourism can be panacea for the rural development of Nepal for the case of Ghandruk has proven it but we have to keep our eyes open to curb its negative impacts. The literacy rate of Ghandruk VDC is 51%. Among them 54.71% of total population are Gurung communities in Ghandruk VDC. There is a great flow of tourists mainly from European and America. 21-30 years group is the dominant group of tourists. The major means of transportation in Ghandruk VDC are mules. The way of mules and tourists is the same. So, we can see negative impact in environment due to the dung of mules. Ghandruk VDC is especially famous for trekking, mountaineering, Gurung Culture, historical goods and handcrafts.