Role of Eco-Tourism for Rural Development in Nepal: A Case Study of Godawari VDC of Lalitpur District

Abstract

This Study entitled ROLE OF ECO-TOURISM FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL A Case Study of Godawari VDC of Lalitpur District was conducted with the objectives of exploring the socio-cultural aspects of tourism, assessing the facilities available for tourists and describing the positive and negative impacts of ecotourism in Godawari VDC of Lalitpur district. This study is mainly based in the primary information and the data were collected using the techniques of household survey, interview and key informant interview with the help of questionnaire and interview. In Godawari VDC, there are 1825 households and total population is 7558 out of which male and female population are 3715 and 3843 respectively. (Population and Housing census, 2011). In order to make the study meaningful as well as advanced, within the limited time period a larger sample size was not feasible so the sample taken can be considered to be good representative of the universe of study. There were 1825 households (HHs) in the VDC. Of the total households, 30 HHs were selected on the basis of random sampling method and 10 shops of the foot trails were selected by lottery method. So, the total number of sample taken of the local HHs was 40. During the study it was found that Tamang (42.5%) were the main ethnic group in the study area. Agriculture (42.5%) was the main occupation, the average family size of the sample HHs were 5.42 persons per family, average literacy rate 70.51%, 45% of the sample HHs have knowledge about ecotourism, 38.89% think experiencing remote, un-crowded and unspoiled nature is ecotourism. 72.22% HHs thinks environment plays a decisive role in the promotion of ecotourism. 90% sample HHs believe employment opportunities is being created by ecotourism. 41.67% of sample HHs are engaged in hotel business such as hotel owner, cook, waiter, dish washer, etc. 55% HHs believed that the monthly income is NRs. 10,000-20,000. 47.5% of the sample HHs agreed that income generation and employment opportunities are the positive impacts of ecotourism. 32.5% of the sample HHs believed that high pricing is the negative impacts of ecotourism. 40 sample HHs believed that 52.5% tourism planning in the area is done by Government. 87.5% HHs agreed that about the local participation in the tourism activities in the study area. 77.5% of the sample HHs believed that tourist’s satisfaction level was satisfactory and 35% of the sample HHs think foot trails should be improved in the study area. In the same way, 5 tourists were chosen at once in different time interval, 3 times so the total number of sample tourists was 15. During the study it was found that Out of the sample tourists, 33.33% of them were above 45 years of age. 26.67% of them were from China, 66.37% of the sample tourists were male and 46.67% of them were engaged in service/jobs. 73.33% of the sample tourists were making their first visit to the study area and 40% of the sample tourists were staying for more than 4 days, trekking was the main purpose of visit of 40% sample tourists, 46.67% of the sample tourists think taking only photographs and leaving only footprints is ecotourism, 40% of the sample tourists think trekking is the main attraction of the study area. 86.67% tourists did not buy the products made from timber and wildlife. 40% of the sample tourists agreed about the lack of proper information, sign and symbols in the foot trails is the major problems of this area, 33.34% of the sample tourists suggested to increase the information, sign and symbols in the trekking zone and foot trails. From the study we can conclude that all the households who are engaged in ecotourism are getting benefit. Their access to health, education and economy has increased. By the use of the income, there has been investment in the income generating activities resulting in the regular flow of money in the HHs and motivation for entrepreneurship development at local level has helped positively in reduction of poverty and in holistic development of rural areas. All HHs were very positive towards enhancing tourism activities. They suggested that focus should be in made in making proper plans and policies regarding ecotourism and there should be active participation of local people.