International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, Mar 10, 2024
Nature-based tourism, recognized for its conservation benefits and immersive experiences, plays i... more Nature-based tourism, recognized for its conservation benefits and immersive experiences, plays important role in poverty alleviation and economic growth in some developing countries. This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive study conducted in Bardiya National Park (BNP), a protected area in the Himalayan lowlands at Nepal-India border, to evaluate the economic viability and sustainability of nature-based tourism. The park's rich biodiversity and cultural experiences attract both national and international tourists. Using the travel cost method, we estimated tourism demand and quantified the economic benefits of various tourism activities within the Park. The results demonstrate that nature-based tourism in BNP is economically viable and has potential for nature conservation and community development in the region. Nature-based tourism contributes significantly to the household economy and provides incentives for local communities to protect the Park's natural resources. However, sustainable management is imperative to maximize benefits and minimize negative impacts. We recommend enhancing infrastructure, marketing, and visitor experiences to increase tourism revenue. Additionally, engaging and empowering local communities will foster sustainable practices. Achieving an optimal balance between visitation, revenue generation, and conservation is essential. This study provides valuable insights into developing BNP's tourism sector. The findings and strategies presented can inform policymakers and stakeholders in managing protected areas in the Himalayan lowlands.
Forestry is an extensive land use system in Nepal. Forest management has historically dealt prima... more Forestry is an extensive land use system in Nepal. Forest management has historically dealt primarily with the silviculture and biological management of forest. Forest is a renewable natural resource, which provides a wide range of environmental, socio-economic and cultural benefits and services. To obtain these benefits and services in perpetuity, an effective management strategy integrating both natural and social part of the forest dependent communities is one of the crucial prerequisites. The major issues lie on interaction between social and natural components and their adaptive mechanism. Management of forestland on a commercial scale has never been a successful story although it was started more than 40 years in Nepal. The first National Forest Inventory (NFI) was carried out with the sole intention of commercial harvesting of the forests so that financial returns could be made possible. Realizing that no significant efforts were made towards the introduction of silvicultural...
Impact of Climate Change on Livelihood and Biodiversity in Rural Communities (A Case Study of SiddhiGanesh and Nepane Community Forestry User Groups of Sindhupalchwok District of Nepal)
... My deepest gratitude and sincere thanks goes to my respected Supervisor Dr. Uma Kant Silwal, ... more ... My deepest gratitude and sincere thanks goes to my respected Supervisor Dr. Uma Kant Silwal, Associate Professor at CDRD for his valuable ... Assistant Health Worker-Sanosiruwari health post), Chair person of both CFUGs (Mr. Nanda Lal Nepal and Mr. Chardra Hari Nepal) for ...
Nepal’s Community Forestry Program is a
sustainable forest management and livelihood enhancement
... more Nepal’s Community Forestry Program is a sustainable forest management and livelihood enhancement program reformed from earlier programs of the previous century. The government’s initial policy was to provide the basic forest resources to local communities through their active participation in forest improvement and management. Nepal’s policy and development program was based on sustainability concepts. Community forestry can be sustainable and produce socially, economically, and ecologically beneficial results. A number of both qualitative and quantitative options have been applied to measure the sustainable use of forests and other natural resources in community forests, but classifying the results is challenging. Policy-makers, experts, and the communities should be involved in developing and improving criteria and indicators for community forest management, reflecting the diversity of perspectives that must be accounted for and the increasing worldwide demand for sustainability and governance. The main findings were that sustainability can be measured with numerous tools, but there are several challenges. A literature review revealed that nationally and internationally defined criteria and indicators have not been extensively applied in Nepal due to lack of technical and other expertise.
Forestry is an extensive land use system in Nepal. Forest management has historically dealt prima... more Forestry is an extensive land use system in Nepal. Forest management has historically dealt primarily with the silviculture and biological management of forest. Forest is a renewable natural resource, which provides a wide range of environmental, socio-economic and cultural benefits and services. To obtain these benefits and services in perpetuity, an effective management strategy integrating both natural and social part of the forest dependent communities is one of the crucial prerequisites. The major issues lie on interaction between social and natural components and their adaptive mechanism. Management of forestland on a commercial scale has never been a successful story although it was started more than 40 years in Nepal. The first National Forest Inventory (NFI) was carried out with the sole intention of commercial harvesting of the forests so that financial returns could be made possible. Realizing that no significant efforts were made towards the introduction of silvicultural practices to improve the status and condition of forests, the Master Plan for the Forestry Sector, 1989 felt the need for scientific forest management in the Terai. On this basis, the new Forest Act 1993 and Forest Regulations 1995 were introduced and emphasized scientific forest management for government.
Sustainability Assessment of Community Forestry Practices in Nepal: Literature Review and Recommendations to Improve Community Management
Nepal’s Community Forestry Program is a sustainable forest management and livelihood enhancement ... more Nepal’s Community Forestry Program is a sustainable forest management and livelihood enhancement program reformed from earlier programs of the previous century. The government’s initial policy was to provide the basic forest resources to local communities through their active participation in forest improvement and management. Nepal’s policy and development program was based on sustainability concepts. Community forestry can be sustainable and produce socially, economically, and ecologically beneficial results. A number of both qualitative and quantitative options have been applied to measure the sustainable use of forests and other natural resources in community forests, but classifying the results is challenging. Policy-makers, experts, and the communities should be involved in developing and improving criteria and indicators for community forest management, reflecting the diversity of perspectives that must be accounted for and the increasing worldwide demand for sustainability and governance. The main findings were that sustainability can be measured with numerous tools, but there are several challenges. A literature review revealed that nationally and internationally defined criteria and indicators have not been extensively applied in Nepal due to lack of technical and other expertise.
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Papers by Digambar Dahal
sustainable forest management and livelihood enhancement
program reformed from earlier programs of the previous
century. The government’s initial policy was to
provide the basic forest resources to local communities
through their active participation in forest improvement
and management. Nepal’s policy and development program
was based on sustainability concepts. Community
forestry can be sustainable and produce socially, economically,
and ecologically beneficial results. A number of
both qualitative and quantitative options have been applied
to measure the sustainable use of forests and other natural
resources in community forests, but classifying the results
is challenging. Policy-makers, experts, and the communities
should be involved in developing and improving criteria
and indicators for community forest management,
reflecting the diversity of perspectives that must be
accounted for and the increasing worldwide demand for
sustainability and governance. The main findings were that
sustainability can be measured with numerous tools, but
there are several challenges. A literature review revealed
that nationally and internationally defined criteria and
indicators have not been extensively applied in Nepal due
to lack of technical and other expertise.