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The role of tourism in a changing climate for conservation and development. A problem-oriented study in the Kailash Sacred Landscape, Nepal

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Abstract

An interdisciplinary study was conducted in the Kailash Sacred Landscape region in north-western Nepal, to explore opportunities for, and barriers to, sustainable tourism as an adaptation strategy, not only for reducing community vulnerability to climate change but also as a poverty–alleviation measure. Whilst the primary focus was on interactions between tourism and climate change, the study revealed a highly complex system, with many social, economic, environmental, and institutional drivers involved. In order to bring some clarity and consistency in the exploration of these complex interactions in context, elements of the policy sciences, primarily problem orientation, were utilised. The exploratory nature of the study, including its objectives and intended use, meant that goal clarification and analyses of trends were based on limited available information. Despite these shortcomings, the study was able to elucidate and clarify on important factors to consider in consultation with relevant participants. Diversification of livelihood options as well as preserving local culture were found to be highly valued—both by the local communities that were consulted as well as for those advocating for a tourism experience that is unique to this region. Harmonising these valued outcomes could be achieved by incorporating and legitimising local traditional knowledge. Insights into further collaboration on the issue of valued outcomes would strengthen and support the knowledge base for an appraisal of possible development pathways.

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Notes

  1. The CBD is a formal and legally binding multi-lateral pledge to conserve places recognised for their biological diversity, to sustainably use their natural resources, and to share equitably the benefits arising from the use of these resources. The Convention was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, 1992, and came into force in 1993 (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 2000).

  2. At the time of this study in late 2010, GIZ GmbH was known then as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), GmbH.

  3. Practiced by many ethnic Tibetans, polyandry is described as a marriage system whereby a household of many brothers share a single female wife (Levine 1987; McKay 2002). It results in assets being passed on undivided from one generation to the next (Levine 1987), as well as suppressing fertility rates in the populations (McKay 2002).

  4. Restricted Areas are places that are officially closed to self-serviced trekkers or opened to trekkers only when accompanied by a policeman, liaison, or environmental officer. Reasons for these restrictions vary, but these areas generally correspond to strategic and sensitive border crossings between Nepal and China (Tibet). These are also areas known for trafficking of poached forest goods such as timber wood or herbs and other medicinal plants and are therefore subject to controls (Chaudhary et al. 2010). Permits to these areas are strictly controlled, and numbers of trekkers granted permits are subject to a quota system (MoTCA 2008). For the purposes of this study, the services of an accredited and licensed trekking company were solicited for the arrangement of these permits, as well as to arrange for local guides and porters that accompanied the research team throughout their stay in Humla.

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Acknowledgments

This study would not have been possible without the participation, support, and interest of all local stakeholders consulted for this study. To them, we extend our appreciation and thanks. The authors would also like to thank Mr. Ram Chandra Sedai, local consultant, for his valuable input into this study. This study was funded by the Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with the expert support, facilitation and coordination from ICIMOD. In addition, we wish to gratefully acknowledge the constructive feedback received from three anonymous reviewers. Any remaining errors are our own.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Environmental Decisions, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland

    Carolina E. Adler

  2. Climate Change Adaptation Program, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Darryn McEvoy

  3. School of Business IT and Logistics, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Prem Chhetri

  4. Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, P.O. Box 93144, 2509 AC, The Hague, The Netherlands

    Ester Kruk

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  1. Carolina E. Adler
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Adler, C.E., McEvoy, D., Chhetri, P. et al. The role of tourism in a changing climate for conservation and development. A problem-oriented study in the Kailash Sacred Landscape, Nepal. Policy Sci 46, 161–178 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-012-9168-4

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