Transboundary Eco-tourism in Kangchenjunga complex:

Transcription

1 Transboundary Eco-tourism in Kangchenjunga complex: A case of Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan Basudev Upadhyay & Nakul Chettri International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu, Nepal

2 Presentation Outline Introduction Potential and challenges Formal-informal mechanisms in regional Ecotourism Regional Cooperation in Transboundary Ecotourism Suggestive framework Conclusion

3 Introduction: Tourism as local income generation Largest industry Highest employment Fastest growing Highest revenue Mass benefit

4 Introduction: The Kangchenjunga complex Eastern Nepal, Darjeeling-Sikkim and Bhutan is an important transboundary areas with high potential for tourism development

5 Introduction: Biodiversity resources Sikkim and Darjeeling 7000 species of flora 500 species of orchids. 36 species of rhododendrons 200 species of mammals 600 species of butterflies >500 species of avifauna Bhutan 5,603 species of angiosperms and gymnosperms. 369 species of orchids 46 species of rhododendrons 105 species endemic to Bhutan 410 species of pteridophytes 50 freshwater fish species 200 species of mammals 800 to 900 species of butterfly 80 species of agricultural crops

6 Introduction: Cultural diversity The region is rich in cultural diversity and this richness is further enhanced by the variety of festivals that is being observed (e.g. Tshechu, black necked crane, white water rafting). Dzongs, monasteries and pilgrimage centres are the additional attractions.

7 Potentials and challenges: Ecotourism products Warm hospitality, adventure tourism, biodiversity exploration, pilgrimage, cultural tour and many others

8 Potentials and challenges: Tourism trends Trend of Tourist Arrivals in KNP No of Tourists Year International Tourist Domestic Tourist HMI Trainees Local Visitors

9 lacking Potentials and challenges: Ecotourism challenges Border areas are the most fragile and biodiversity rich areas hence risk of damage is higher Concept of Ecotourism has been misused Infrastructure, skilled human resources limited Inter-stakeholder conflict Seasonality and un-assured market Political sensitivity and instability Regionalism or Sub-regionalism concept in tourism is

10 Formal and informal mechanism National level tourism and collaboration (Bhutan) Gurung and Seeland 2008

11 Formal and informal mechanism Local level tourism and collaboration (Sikkim) Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) Travel agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association Sikkim Biodiversity and Ecotourism Project Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project

12 Formal and informal mechanism Cross-border tourism and collaboration Cross-border tourism networks (Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, United States) Sub-regional cooperation in southeast Asia: the Mekong basin (China s Yunnan province, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) TAAN- TAAS collaboration (Nepal and India) SASEC and the Great Himalayan Trail (Himalayas)

13 Regional Cooperation framework: Lesson learnt from Kangchenjunga Landscape National Strategy & Action Plans Regional cooperation Mountain Biodiversity (COP VII/27) Convention on Biological Diversity Bhutan India Nepal Regional & transboundary collaboration (Goal 2.3) Reduction of loss of mountain biodiversity

14 Conceptual framework Cross border tourism Global ( CBD, WSSD, MDGs) Regional (Cross border tourism policy) National (Increased cooperation between national agencies and ability to plan and implement pro-poor tourism) Local (Sustainable livelihood options for communities, Community participation in decision making process)

15 Conclusions Ecotourism - an important activity in the region Ecotourism has been misused in practice and in many cases the sustainability is questioned Tourism development and promotion activities not sufficient. Country specific policies Need to focus on cross border region. Regionalism or sub-regionalism policies and initiatives area needed.

16 Thank you