Pastoralism and Rangeland Management on the Tibetan Plateau in ...

industry. They take up an estimated share of 15–20 % of the global tourism
market, generating between 100 <strong>and</strong> 140 billion USD per year.
With the highest <strong>and</strong> most famous mountain peaks of the world, it’s unique
<strong>and</strong> rare flora <strong>and</strong> fauna, <strong>and</strong> a great variety of unique hill <strong>and</strong> mountain
cultures, the Himalayas have become an incredible cultural, historic, adventure
journey that one should make at least once in his lifetime. Mountains are a last
refuge for many rare plants <strong>and</strong> animals eliminated from more transformed
lowl<strong>and</strong>s. They are vital to biodiversity conservation, <strong>and</strong> this unique feature
of mountains makes them special place of interest (Figure 1). The tourism
potential of the Himalaya region is beyond dispute, <strong>and</strong> is seen as a promising
adaptation strategy, providing mountain people with alternative livelihood
options, building on the strengths of the region. Tourism is one avenue where
mountain specificities that are generally considered constraints to development
– remoteness, difficult access, wilderness, insular cultures, <strong>and</strong> subsistence
lifestyles – can be transformed into economic opportunities. Being labour
intensive, having relatively high multiplier effects, <strong>and</strong> requiring relatively low
levels of capital <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> investment, tourism can yield significant benefits in
remote <strong>and</strong> rural areas where traditional livelihoods are under threat.
Defined as environmentally responsible travel to experience the natural area
<strong>and</strong> culture of a region while promoting economic contribution to local communities,
ecotourism is becoming more contextual in fragile mountain areas
to avoid possible negative effects of mass tourism <strong>and</strong> at the same time offering
alternative livelihood options to mountain people <strong>and</strong> safeguarding their
natural environment.
The government of Nepal (GoN) recognizes tourism as one of the major economic
pillars to increase; national income, foreign currency earnings, employment
opportunities <strong>and</strong> improving regional economic imbalances through the
development <strong>and</strong> diversification of this sector. However, the benefit brought by
tourism has so far been concentrated only in some pockets of eastern, central
<strong>and</strong> western Nepal. A vast area, including the northern border region, remains
least benefited from tourism. Developing tourism across the northern border
regions can help improve the living condition of people as well as protect <strong>and</strong>
conserve the environment of the region, which are facing increasing stress due
to emerging climate change. This paper attempts to highlight some of the key
features that need to be addressed to promote cross border ecotourism in the
north.
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> > > 3. Eco-tourism <strong>and</strong> Nature Protection in Relation to <strong>Pastoralism</strong> <strong>and</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong> <strong>Management</strong>