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

The Remake of a Statenation from tourism perspective. This will help address poverty alleviationinitiative through tourism.Nepal is not only one of the least developed countries in Asia Pacificregion, but also land-locked – a double disadvantage in her efforts to fulfildevelopment aspirations. Approximately 83 per cent of land mass from atotal of the 1,41,181 square km area of Nepal is covered with mountainlandscapes including Himalayas, however, attributed with pristine natureand culture (Shrestha 2000).The backwardness of the country, inhabited densely with a populationof 26.44 million, is evident while looking at average per capita incomeUS$ 383.00, 30.8 per cent of its population below poverty line, sluggisheconomic growth with average 3 per cent, low rate of domestic savingsand unequal distribution of income whatever made (CBS 2007).The landlocked position, diversified topography, geography and climate;harsh terrain providing limited useable natural resources; heterogeneousdistribution of people with specific lifestyles, traditions and needs inremote and isolated pocket economies have posed major challenges forher economic growth and development. The unavailability of requiredcapital, high technology and technical experts in desired scale have posedmajor challenges in the efforts to identify and mobilise resources fordesired economic growth and development.However, the same diversified mountain landscapes, varying vegetation,different climatic conditions and seasons possess excessive scenic beautyand excellent environment for the flourishing of tourism industry. Themountains and Himalayas in the mid and high lands in eastern, centraland western regions along with a number of national parks, conservationareas and wildlife reserves in the southern plains are endowed with richnatural resources and cultural heritage. Almost 20 per cent of Nepal’sland is designated as 16 protected areas, representing all the eco-regions,ecosystem and mostly the flora and fauna and heir habitats (ADB 2004).The southern plains from the east to the west Nepal also embracepotential tourist spots. These include popular Buddhist and Hindupilgrims and places like Birat Tourism area, Bideh area, Salhesh area, andSimraon area consisting of heritages of archeological, historical, culturaland religious importance (The Kathmandu Post 2009). These endemicattributes of Nepal are supposed to offer her with immense potentials forthe development of tourism and establish her as one leading destinations93