English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...

Sustainable tourism and post-conflict state buildingconsumption-led society. In such a context, the perspective of sustainabledevelopment may differ between developed and developing countries insuch a challenging scenario.Various literatures (Karshenas 1994; Mowforth and Munt 1998) showthe differentiations on the interpretations of sustainability betweenindividuals, organisations, social groups and development states of variousnations. Karshenas (1994) adapts the theory of sustainable developmentto the context of developing countries. He views that owing to differencesin economic fundamentals between the developed and the developingcountries, a uniform definition of sustainable development cannot suffice.He defines sustainable development in terms of the pattern of structuralchange in natural and human-made capital stock. It also ensures feasibilityof at least a minimum socially desired rate of growth in the long run. Hisdefinition comes on this argument that the developing economy seeks totransform its transition from natural resource base to an industrial economyin order to accumulate human-made capital. However, the developedcountries as post-industrial economies and with low value added ratioof natural resources on the contrary is in a way of the reconstruction oftheir natural capital stock through present day afforestation which wasdepleted in earlier phases of their industrialisation and development.However, whatever the approach of sustainable development is therefor both developing and developed countries, the focus essentially is ongrowth, equity and environment. Development based on the approach ofsustainability emphasises the optimum use of resource, efficient creationof infrastructure, protection and enhancement of quality of life, andcreating of new businesses to strengthen the economies of communities.The Earth Summit (the UN Conference on Environment and Development)held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 14 June 1992 adopted a comprehensiveprogramme of action termed as Agenda 21 endorsed by 182 governmentsfor securing the sustainable future of the planet into the 21 st century.Agenda 21 addresses the development of societies and economies byfocusing on the conservation and preservation of our environmentsand natural resources. The 13 th chapter of this document highlights theneed for an urgent action to achieve sustainable mountain development.Mountain tourism is importunately linked as a key factor to achieve thisgoal (Nepal 2003).88