Prospect of Eco-Tourism In Nepal (A Case Study Of Dakshinkali Vdc,in Kathmandu District)

Abstract

The concept of eco-tourism started from Costa-Rica in 1987 by a Tour Operator.Principally ecotourism needs natural areas especially unspoiled natural areas. Nepal asa naturally beautiful country having huge bio-diversity contains great potentiality of eco-tourism.Dakshinkali as a hilly natural area with magnificent Himalayan ranges on theeast, south and northern sidealso contains one of the huge potential areas of eco-tourismin the country.The main objective of the study is to explore the prospect of eco-tourism inDakshinkali VDC of Kathmandu.The specific objectives are as follows. 1. To explore the socio-cultural aspect of tourism.2. To analyze the sustainability aspect of ecotourism in study area.3. To identify the important ecotourism of Dakshinkali and expose it. The study is based on primary data from 60 respondents and mainlyhas revealed thatthere is great potentiality of ecotourism and essentiality of environmental conservationfor the sustainable income from tourism sector. To maintain the tourism business withfuture prospect the values and principles such as ‘Take only photographs leave only footprints’ are essential to apply. The existed beauty of the placesuch as heart-touching hillyranges, cool fresh air, wide coverage on natural forest and topographical scenario etcare the key elements of ecotourism potentiality of the place. The study area is anappropriate site for eco-tourism. The sources of tourist attractions like scenic attraction18%, natural resources 8% and religious prospect 42% and rest of are abundant there.In spite of huge potentiality of tourism in general and eco-tourism in particular there arevarious constraints like poor transportation and communication facilities, poorrecreational facilities, a limited season, lack of trained manpower, lack of marketing,poor solid waste management system, limited number of educated people. Thus, the future of ecotourism in Dakshinkali is found to be very optimistic and reliesheavily on who is responsible for marketing, setting the planning, initiating the entry fees,involving the locals and establishing the infrastructures needed for ecotourismdevelopment.