Benifits of Ecotourism

There are several benefits of ecotourism. In recent years, ecotourism has exploded in popularity. Ecotourism takes tourists away from civilization and exposes them to exotic wildlife, new cultures and entrancing landscapes. At the same time, travelers strive to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Sustainable ecotourism, or ecotourism at its best, enhances the lives of the people in the host country without exploiting these peoples, disrupting their culture or damaging the ecosystem. When handled correctly, ecotourism benefits the host country.

One of the benefits of ecotourism is the influx of money into the host country, particularly if the agencies used, such as travel or tour agencies, are owned by citizens. In addition, since ecotourists often travel to remote areas, these tourists spend money in remote areas, helping with local economic development.

This type of tourism can also add economic diversity to a developing nation by helping create new jobs and businesses that are different from their traditional sources of income. In other words, developing a tourist industry can be a real advantage if your main industry is agriculture.

When ecotourism targets national parks, the parks directly benefit from the fees paid by tourists. This enables the parks to be managed and conserved more effectively. This can become a beneficial cycle as funds spent by travelers who are dedicated to leaving as few footprints as possible are used to maintain complex ecosystems.

In addition, ecotourism may ultimately protect more ecosystems over time. If, for example, locals can sustain themselves through ecotourism-related ventures, they may not need to deforest, mine or deplete local natural resources as much as they might otherwise have done.

Another advantage of ecotourism is that it can promote local crafts, events and traditions. This will not only bring additional cash into local communities, it will also preserve traditional culture as visitors want to learn about and experience local practices as well as purchase locally made arts and crafts.

Overall, ecotourism can promote conservation as host countries and local communities as well as travelers realize that there are benefits to reap from keeping the countryside as natural as possible.

Responsible Travelling

As an Eco- traveler it is your responsibility to prevent or minimize any negative impacts on the environment, local community and economy of the destination you are visiting. 

Before you go

• Choose your travel provider on the basis of their eco principles and practices.
• Educate yourself about the destination you are visiting by reading guidebooks and travel articles.
• Be aware of local history, culture and customs of the locals before arriving. Learn enough knowledge of the language to be polite i.e. hello, please and thank you. By making the effort to learn even the basics it will be appreciated by locals; and enrich your experience.
• When packing, if you want to bring gifts for local people in developing countries don't give sweets; instead bring clothes and pens, and ask your tour operator or driver to give them to community elders so that you don't encourage begging from children.
• Learn about the vital Eco-systems before arriving.

During your Stay

• Be sensitive to the local culture by wearing clothing that is accepted. Be aware of people's sensitivity to being photographed; always ask first. Observe local customs.
• Remember that you are a visitor and therefore be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of the locals. This may include different concepts of time, personal space, communication etc. which are not wrong or inferior, just different.
• Demonstrate responsible behavior to other travelers who are less informed than you by acting as an example.
• Use local transportation, guides, inns, restaurants and markets to benefit the local economy.
• Be sensitive to displays of wealth in front of people from developing countries. By displaying possessions such as cameras and jewellery, feelings of jealousy may be created which then generates barriers that inhibit genuine interactions between travelers and locals.
• Ask your tour operator or guide what their established environmental guidelines are for limiting and improving tourist impact on the environment and local culture. General guidelines involve staying on trails, maintaining set distances away from wildlife, and not encouraging drivers to move too close to wildlife, even if it is tempting for getting a better picture.
• Comply with international environmental conventions. Do not buy any animal products while traveling. Do not remove any objects, plants or animal products from nature. Not only can these affect fragile ecosystems, but is also illegal.
• Conserve Resources. Be aware of resource shortages such as water and food as many tourist destinations are under increasing pressure.
• Don't allow your guide to hunt endangered or threatened species or harvest rare plants for your consumption.
• Encourage practices to conserve the environment, including the use of renewable resources in a sustainable manner and the conservation of non-renewable resources.

On return

Continue with your commitment to conservation at home by incorporating it into everyday life. Support organizations or societies that follow Eco-principles and share your experiences with others with the goal of increasing awareness of environmental issues.

Trek to Rolwaling Valley

Those people who wish to experience an isolate part of Nepal one should make an exceptional trek to the Rolwaling valley, one of the most appealing regions of Nepal. Enclosed in the shadow of the Rolwaling Himal, this remote Himalayan valley lies on east of Kathmandu the most popular villages in the Rolwaling valley. Beding (3510m) and Na Gaun (4120m). Trekkers may spend a few days in the Rolwaling area ascending to the Na Yak pastures at 4700m. Here trekkers are greeted by a spectacular panorama of the Gauri Shanker and Menlungtse Peaks.

 Rolwaling is the East-West Valley below Gauri Shankar (7145m) and just south of Tibetan Border. Rolwaling has a unique environment and is exceptionally rich in bio-diversity which makes this region one of the finest tourist destinations in Nepal. The region consists of Tamang settlements combined with majestic mountain ranges and several kinds of vegetation. On Rolwaling trek, you will be enchanted by the panoramic views of Pharchamo Peak (6187m) and Ramdung (5925m). This remote area is a challenging and rewarding trekking destination.

Rolwaling Khumbu trek provides an experience the remoteness of this region, romantic mountain views, diverse flora and fauna and rich local cultures. This trek requires a good walking experience and a good physical form. There is technical route in Tashi Lepcha Pass. One should have a peaks climbing permit for this route.

There is a Great nunnery Gompa called Bigu Gompa. There are more than 300 nuns. Two festivals are celebrated in a year in this place like manirimdu in Tenngboche Gompa in Kumbu region. In Sherpa Language Biku means "Seed". There is Sherpa village. View of Gaurishankar (7,145m), Melungtse (7,181m) and other mountains, good landscapes; the village of Beding (3,690m) and monastery, the village of Na (4,183m), Tso Rolpa lake are the main attractions.

Rolwalling trekking to Rollwaling Himal, west of Everest and near the Tibtian border, offers fascinating experience. Starts in Barabise, passes Tinsang la pass and descends Bigu Gomba which houses Buddhist nuns. The trail descends Bhotekosi River and turns into the Rollwaling valley, one of the most remote, mysterious, and fascinating places in the trek. The land is full of the tales of the yeti, the elusive snow man in the world and it is the place where some mountaineers arranged expedition to hunt yetis in the past. Beding is the last permanent settlement & Na Gaun which is only the summer settlement, is the highest altitude reached in the trek.

This is a spectacular high route that leaves Khumbu via a glaciated pass and reaches the Rolwaling Valley to the east and its major settlement. There are no villages or shelters along the way and the route is dangerous even in the best of conditions. Only experienced mountaineers should attempt it and then, only with a party that includes some Sherpa who have been over it before. The entire party, including all the porters, should be equipped for severe conditions of cold and high altitude. Since it is necessary to camp on ice, parties should carry tents and fuels for everyone as well as ice climbing equipments (ice axe, rope, crampons, and ice screws). Under ideal conditions the crossing need not require technical climbing, but such conditions cannot be counted on. Storms are to be expected and food for at least five days should be carried in order to be able to wait out bad weather. Temperatures below freezing are always encountered. Crossing has been made at all times of the year, but the best time is probably April to early December. Falling rocks is dangers most often encountered. Ice avalanches are also possible.

Source: www.nepaltrekkingtours.com