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

Mustang remains among the last Tibetan Buddhist enclaves in the cold arid
environment of the Trans-Himalayas, with its unique blend of history, living
culture <strong>and</strong> religious traditions. There is an aura of mystery reinforced by a
harsh environment, remoteness, relative inaccessibility, centuries of isolation
<strong>and</strong> the difficult living <strong>and</strong> livelihood conditions. Ironically, the impediments
of development constitute the very foundation for tourism development in
Upper Mustang. Also, for the discerning westerner, the idea of a lost kingdom
shrouded in the mysteries of a little comprehended past has its own appeal.
This, together with the distinctive biodiversity of the region is a part of the
tourist attraction of Upper Mustang.
4.1 Visitor Growth
From 1992 until 1999, there was a slow but steady growth in trekking tourism
in Upper Mustang, to the extent that the quota of 1,000 people was passed in
1998 <strong>and</strong> 1999 (Figure 2). A look at the growth trend in tourism, in terms of
total tourists flow to Nepal <strong>and</strong> those who came for trekking/mountaineering,
<strong>and</strong> trekking in Upper Mustang alone shows that the allure of Upper Mustang
has endured pretty well, relatively speaking.
Figure 2: Growth of trekking tourism in Upper Mustang
Trekking in Upper Mustang comprises a customized, full-service, selfcontained
trek normally organized by an overseas travel company in association
with a Kathm<strong>and</strong>u based, <strong>and</strong> registered, trekking agency. Over two-thirds of
the visitors to Upper Mustang visit in groups of more than six. In recent years
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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>