THE CLIMATE CHANGE and ECO-TOURISM MANAGEMENT Thakur Prasad Devkota [email protected]

Abstracts Tourism is a thriving industry in the world economy from the perspective of income generation. There are 940 million tourist (UNWTO) flows in the world. The Asia-Pacific region, a leader in inbound tourism has arrivals of 13% between 2009 and 2010, making the region a leader in the global recovery tourism. Asia- Pacific had the second highest growth inbound tourism arrivals in 2010 over 2009 (UNWTO). Nepal is rich in its biodiversity within the altitudinal variation ranging from 76 meters to 8848 meters above the sea level. The country occupies 0.3% of total land mass of the earth while it shares 10% of the earth's biodiversity (It accounts for 2.04% of flowering higher plant, 8.6% of birds, 4.27% of mammals, and 0.21% of fishes) and it has the 656 species of butterflies, 144 species of spider, 43 species of amphibians, 100 species of reptiles and 319species of exotic orchids (Vijaya Pradhan and Raman Grandon). Nepal has plants as much as 6300 meter in the Himalayas. Rich biodiversity, snowcapped mountains, high gorges, beautiful rivers with high current, plain lands with forests, and beautiful people with smiling face are some of its tourism products. The virgin ecology, rich biodiversity and cultural diversity, unpolluted environment, altitudinal variation of geographical feature, the Himalayan range with highest peaks of the world etc are the main potentials of tourism in Nepal. In order to implement eco tourism, the study has concluded that strategies such as destination planning, operation and empowerment of local communities, promoting eco-tourism, conservation of natural resources, product development and management, environmental protection, institutional co-ordination and regulation, human resource development, protection, promotion and management of cultural, religious, archaeological and natural heritages, information and communication system, marketing and promotion, establishment of cooperatives and entrepreneurship development.

Key words: Tourism, Ecotourism, Climate Change, Impact, Challenge, Coastal, Alpine, Environment, Ecosystem, Adopting, Mitigation, 1. Introduction Tourism is thriving industries in the present world that play important role for local, regional and global economic growth and development. The nature and culture that provide attractions to the tourists are the major products of tourism. The nature plays important role in the tourism development and within the nature; environmental factor is the main component for tourism development. The nature based tourism is often called as “Ecotourism”. Eco-tourism relates to travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with specific objectives such as studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery with its flora, fauna and any existing cultural manifestation (both past and present) found in this areas (lascurain. 1987). This implies a scientific, aesthetic or philosophical approach to travel, hence, it is interfacing the conservation concern with tourism interest, setting free the synergy required to jointly preserve the quality of the environment while protecting nature and promoting tourism. Sherman and Dixon, 1991 explained that nature tourism frequently uses simpler facilities encompassing less expensive and less sophisticated infrastructure making it practical in situations where funds for large scale development are not available and benefiting both the host and visitors. Eco-tourism differs from other forms of tourism particularly due to the opportunity for observation and learning it provides to tourists and its contribution to cultural conservation and long term sustainability of communities and natural resources. It is a form of sustainable tourism that benefits the community, environment and local economy. This may be achieved through various means such as employment for local people or programs where tourists contribute money or labor to community activities such as tree planting or conservation of local monuments or sites (SNV, 2003). In general ecotourism have the following characteristics:

 Possession of an environmental ethic,  Willingness not to degrade the resource,  Focus on intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivation,  Biocentrism rather than anthropocentric in orientation,  Aiming to benefit wildlife and the environment,  Striving for firsthand experience with the natural environment,  Possessing an expectation of education and appreciation.

Ecocotourism is related to the nature and environment and in order to promote it we need to protect the nature and environment. The elements of ecotourism are (i) relatively undisturbed or protected natural areas, (ii) considered as traveling to developing countries to relatively undisturbed natural areas for studying, enjoyment or volunteer assistance, (iii) conservation led, (iv) related to educative role that refers not only to the tourist but also to the industry operators and local communities. Ecotourism includes travelling to natural tourist spots where all concerned parties have a responsibility towards the environment or the ecological system i.e. a form of travel without substantially disturbing the ‘integrity’ of the nature. It gives tourists the opportunity to appreciate, learn and gain quality tourism experiences while raising their environmental awareness. The conservation areas, protected areas, national parks are the main destinations of the ecotourism. However, there is always a possibility of ecotourism causing harm to the environment. Ecotourism visits fragile and virgin natural resource areas where precious flora and fauna including endangered species. The principles of ecotourism developed by the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) are presented by Look and Gaze 2004 encompasses the following: 1) Avoiding negative impact that can damage or destroy the integrity or character of the visited natural or cultural environments. 2) Educating the traveler on the importance of conservation. 3) Directing revenues to the conservation of natural areas and the management of protected areas; 4) bringing economic benefits to local communities and direct revenues to local people living adjacent to protected areas; 5) emphasizing on the need for planning and sustainable growth of the tourism industry and seeks to ensure that tourism development doesn’t exceed the social and environmental ‘carrying capacity; 6) rating a high percentage of revenues in the host country by stressing the use of locally owned facilities and services; 7) increasingly relying on the infrastructure that has been developed sensitively in harmony with the environment; 8) minimizing the use of fossil fuel conserving local plants and wildlife and blending them with the natural environment. Ecotourism isalso related to the other form of tourism like alternative tourism, sustainable tourism, community based tourism, responsible tourism, pro-poor tourism, rural tourism, and cultural tourism. The issue of climate change is an important subject for the ecotourism development. Climate change is one of the major challenges the tourism sector is facing and has to deal with in order to survive. This has spurred industry players into looking at innovative ways as means to effectively respond to these concerns and priorities that have been the subjects of debates across the globe. The fragile ecosystem in the temperate zone and sub-temperate zone of Nepal may destroy the whole ecosystem and important fauna and flora due to the climate change. The anthropogenic activities increase the concentration of the CO2 and other unwanted gas that play important roles in the global warming and affecting the present situation of nature and biodiversity. In Nepalese context temperate ecology, the Himalayan range and diversified biodiversity are the main attractions for tourists. Climate change also has changed and diminishes several biodiversity from the nature. Increasing melting rate of snow covered zone due to the temperature rise severely affect tourism industries in Nepal. The disappearance of several fauna and flora,the changing of the altitudinal vegetative belt, the seasonal shifting, the decreased snow covered area and the rise in temperature have affected the ecotourism development in Nepal. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPPC) 4th assessment report (AR4) (2007) concluded that anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gas emissions are the major course for the observed and projected changes in the global climate system. It is now increasingly recognized that observed and projected climate change will affect ecosystem services in ways that increase vulnerabilities with regard to food security, water supply, natural disasters, as well as human health. IPCC also note that the warming of climate system is unequivocal, as it is now evident from the observations of increased global average air and ocean temperature (IPCC 2007). 2. Tourism from Global Perspective Tourism is a thriving industry in the world economy from the perspective of income generation. There are 940 million tourist (UNWTO) flows in the world, which is 6.6% over 2009 and 2.5% more than the pre- crises peak in 2008. The Asia-Pacific region, a leader in inbound tourism has arrivals of 13% between 2009 and 2010, making the region a leader in the global recovery tourism. Asia-Pacific had the second highest growth inbound tourism arrivals in 2010 over 2009. Inbound tourism arrival was 7.3% up in Africa, followed by America (up 6.6%) and Europe (up 3.3%), in Asia and the Pacific inbound tourism arrivals was 200 million in 2010. In 2010, international tourism receipts are estimated to have reached US$919 billion worldwide from US$851 billion in 2009, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 4.7 %.( source: UNWTO tourism Highlights 2011 edition). UNWTO also conclude the uninterrupted growth trend of international tourist arrivals from 25 million in 1950, to 277 million in 1980, to 435 million in 1990, to 675 million in 2000, and the current 940 million. In 2010, travel for leisure, recreation and holidays accounted for just over half of all international tourist arrivals (51% or 480 million arrivals). Some 15% of international tourists reported travelling for business and professional’s purpose and another 27% travelled other purposes, such as visiting friends and relatives (VFR), religious reasons and pilgrims, health treatment. The purpose of visit for the remaining 7% of arrivals was not specified. The following figure shows the purpose of the visit of tourist

Figure :1, The inbound tourism by purpose of visit, 2010, Share

Source: World Tourism Organization, UNWTO Tourism Highlight, 2011 Edition The international tourism arrivals in different region are given below in 2010. The percentage of tourism arrivals covers 51% by Europe, it is the highest and Africa has the lowest figure in tourism arrivals. The figure B shows that the receipt by tourism in different region billion in US dollars. Table 1: International Tourist Arrivals in Different Region

S.N. International Tourist Arrivals Market Change Average Share (%) annual (%) Growth (%)

1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 2009 2010 2010 09/0 10/0 00-10 8 9

World 435 528 675 798 917 882 940 100 -3.8 6.6 3.4

-Advanced 296 334 417 453 495 474 498 53.0 -4.3 5.1 1.8 Economy 139 193 257 345 421 408 442 47.0 -3.2 8.3 5.6 -Emerging Economies

Europe 261. 304. 385. 439.4 485. 461. 476.6 50.7 -4.9 3.3 2.1 5 1 6 2 5

Asia and Pacific 55.8 82.0 110. 153.6 184. 180. 203.8 21.7 -1.7 12.7 6.3 1 1 9 -North east Asia 26.4 41.3 58.3 85.9 100. 98.0 111.6 11.9 -2.9 13.8 6.9 -South East Asia 9

-Oceania 21.2 28.4 36.1 48.5 61.8 62.1 69.6 7.4 0.5 12.1 6.8

-South Asia 5.2 8.1 9.6 11.0 11.1 10.9 11.6 1.2 -1.7 6.1 1.9

3.2 4.2 6.1 8.1 10.3 9.9 11.1 1.2 -3.6 11.9 6.2

Americas 92.8 109. 128. 133.3 147. 140. 149.8 15.9 -4.9 6.4 1.6 0 2 8 6

Africa 14.8 18.9 26.5 35.4 44.4 46.0 49.4 5.2 3.7 7.3 6.4

Middle East 9.6 13.7 24.1 36.3 55.2 52.9 60.3 6.4 -4.7 14.1 9.6

Source: United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2011 Edition

3. Tourism in Asia-Pacific Region In Asia and Pacific, inbound tourism arrivals surpassed 204 million in 2010 it is 24 million more than 2009 and 20 million above the 2008 pre-crisis peak. The region’s13% growth in 2010 was double the world average and , following a modest 2% decline in 2009, confirms Asia as the world’s strongest growing region of the past two years (source:UNWTO tourism highlights 2011 edition). Overall, the Asia-Pacific regional share of world arrivals rose by 1.2%points in 2010, for a 22% share among the world regions (Source: UNWTO, statistical year book for Asia and Pacific, 2011). The south Asian countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are planed of campaigning to promote the tourism marketing in the name of “Visit Year” that helped bust Asia-Pacific tourism. Table: 2, The Tourist Arrivals and Receipt in Asia and the Pacific

Major Se International Tourist Arrivals International Tourist Receipts Destination rie s1 (1000) Change Shar (US$ Million) Share % e% %

2008 2009 2010* 09/ 10* 2010 2008 2009 2010* 2010* 08 /09 *

Asia and The Pacific 184,057 180,936 203,838 1.7 2.7 100 208,597 203,101 248,659 100

Australia F 5,586 5,584 5,885 .0 .4 2.9 24,755 25,384 30,103 12.1

Cambodia F 2,001 2,046 2,399 .2 7.3 1.2 1,219 1,185 1,260 0.5

China F 53,049 50,875 55,665 4.1 .4 27.3 40,843 39,675 45,814 18.4

Fiji F 585 542 632 7.3 .5 0.3 547 422 .. ..

Guam F 1,142 1,053 1,196 7.8 3.6 0.6 ......

Hong TF 17,320 16,926 20,085 2.3 8.7 9.9 15,304 16,450 22,951 9.2 Kong(China)

India F 5,283 5,168 5,584 2.2 .1 2.7 11,832 11,136 14,160 5.7

Indonesia F 6,234 6,324 7,003 .4 0.7 3.4 7,378 5,598 6,980 2.8

Iran F 2,034 ...... 1,914 2,012 .. ..

Japan F 8,351 6,790 8,611 18. 6.8 4.2 10,821 10,305 13,199 5.3 7

Korea Republic F 6,891 7,818 8,798 3.4 2.5 4.3 9,774 9,819 9,765 3.9 of

Lao P.D.R. F 1,295 1,239 .. 4.3 . .. 276 268 .. ..

Macao (China) F 10,610 10,402 11,926 2.0 4.7 5.9 16,430 17,637 .. ..

Malaysia F 22,052 23,646 24,577 .2 .9 12.1 15,277 15,772 17,819 7.2

Maldives F 683 656 792 4.0 0.7 0.4 664 608 714 0.3

Mongolia F 446 433 456 3.0 .3 0.2 247 235 244 0.1

New Zealand F 2,459 2,458 2,525 .0 .7 1.2 5,037 4,586 4,855 2.0 Nepal F 500 510 .. .9 . .. 336 371 388 0.2

Pakistan F 823 855 914 .9 .9 0.4 316 269 363 0.1

Philippines F 3,139 3,017 3,520 3.9 6.7 1.7 2,499 2,330 2,783 1.1

Singapore F 7,778 7,488 9,161 3.7 2.3 4.5 10,714 9,364 14,124 5.7

Sri Lanka F 438 448 654 .1 6.1 0.3 342 350 576 0.2

Taiwan(pr.of F 3,845 4,395 5,567 4.3 6.7 2.7 5,937 6,816 8,648 3.5 China)

Thailand F 14,584 14,150 15,842 3.0 2.0 7.8 18,173 15,663 19,760 7.9

Vietnam F 4,236 3,747 5,050 11. 4.8 2.5 3,930 3,050 4,450 1.8 5

Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) *= Provisional figure or Data; .. = figure or data not (yet) available; 1 =change of series; Series of International Tourist Arrivals- TF= International tourist arrivals at frontiers (excluding same-day visitor); VF: International Visitors arrivals at frontiers (tourist and same day visitors);

The most destination posted double-digit growth, boosted by the strong development of local economies in the region. The North-East Asia was the best performance sub-region (+14%) with double-digit growth in arrivals for virtually all destinations. Arrivals in South-East Asia, the only sub-region to so positive result in 2009, were up12%. International arrivals in South Asia increased by 11% with particularly strong performances from Sri Lanka, Maldives India and other destination noted by UNWTO.

4. Climate Change and Tourism from world perspectives

UNWTO cites that tourism and travel is also a vector of climate change, accounting for approximately five per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. By 2035, under a “business as usual” scenario, carbon dioxide emissions from global tourism are projected to increase by 130 per cent. Most of the increase is attributed to air travel but the tourism sector has pledged to substantially reduce emissions (UNWTO 2009).

Climate change is the natural and human-induced phenomenon which is continues to be a major challenge for this century and beyond. The anthropogenic activities cause the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) of varying global warming which has adversely affected the planet and the life support system. To curb the problems of Climate change and tourism on the international scenario series were conferences and commitments were made. UNWTO is actively working to raise awareness on climate change issues in the tourism sector and on integrating tourism into the United Nations and other international policy processes on climate change. Some of the worlds recognized commitments, policies and conferences regarding the climate change and tourism are outline in the following table

Table:3, Important declaration and conferences regarding climate change and tourism

Date Place Declaration Activities April Tunicia Djerba The first International Conference on Climate 2003 Declaration on Climate Change Change and Tourism was organised by and Tourism UNWTO and several other United Nations agencies. The conference resulted in the Djerba Declaration on Climate Change and Tourism, which signified the importance of climate change for the sustainability of the global tourism industry, urged the formulation of appropriate adaptation plans, recognized the two‐way relationship between tourism and climate change, and highlighted the obligation of the tourism industry to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions an recognized the two way relationship between tourism and climate change.

2007 Davos, Davos Declaration The Davos Declaration included firm Switzerlan recommendations and a clear commitment for d action to respond to the climate change challenge including the urgent adoption of a range of sustainable tourism policies. UNWTO is leading by example and has calculated the greenhouse gas emissions generated by its own operations since 2008 and intends to compensate them in order to achieve climate‐ neutrality. The goals included within the Declaration are not only achievable but provide a link to the interrelated poverty agenda. Four key areas that will require action were agreed upon:

 Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the tourism sector (especially from transport and accommodation activities) • Adapt tourism businesses and destinations to changing climate conditions

• Apply existing and new technologies to improve energy efficiency • Secure financial resources to assist poorer regions and countries.

2007 In 2007, UNWTO launched a Climate and Tourism Information Exchange Service to enable tourism stakeholders access to research and data. The organization has developed and disseminated technical publications addressing climate change impacts and adaptation responses. The most important of these are

“Climate Change and Tourism ‐ Responding to

Global Challenges” in support of the Davos Declaration, and “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the Tourism Sector: Frameworks, Tools and Practices” in coordination with the University of Oxford, the WMO, and UNEP released in 2008.

2007 Bali UNWTO cannot tackle climate change and (UNFCCC tourism issues in isolation. A side event at the COP 13) UNFCCC COP 13 in Bali (2007), where the Davos Declaration Process was presented, aimed to integrate UNWTO efforts into the overall United Nations system response to climate change and to enhance collaboration and partnerships with related sectors. UNWTO will also continue to lead initiatives that contribute to the overall UN effort to develop a common framework in tackling climate change.

Nov 2007 Cartagena UNWTO, in partnership with the World Travel de Indias, Market (WTM), held a one day Ministers’ Colombia Summit in London where Ministers were given the opportunity to discuss and endorse the Davos Declaration. The participants at the summit urged all tourism and travel stakeholders to follow the recommendations of the Davos Declaration which was also discussed and endorsed at the UNWTO General Assembly held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia in November 2007.

June 2008 CEOs representing every industrial sector across the world, submitted a set of

recommendations to the G8 leaders for inclusion within a post‐Kyoto climate framework March World Economic Forum Task Force on Low‐ 2009 Carbon Prosperity was launched partly in response to the recommendations from the CEOs and also to consider how they should be implemented. An ambitious vision for tackling greenhouse gas emissions, including a commitment to cut by half carbon emission levels of 2005 by 2035, was proposed by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in

2009. To achieve this, WTTC recognised that partnerships can play an important role. Sep 2009 UNWTO Secretary General attended the UN Leadership Summit on Climate Change on 22 September 2009 in New York, delivering a “UNWTO Climate Commitment” message. “Sustainable tourism and travel is important for all countries and pivotal for the world’s poorest states. It provides jobs, trade and development. It must be a pillar of the Green Economy with the active engagement of all tourism stakeholders. The World Tourism Organization is committed to working across the industry, both in the public and private domains, to advance a coherent response to Climate and Development imperatives, placing businesses at the heart of the transformation to a low carbon economy.” UNWTO made a strong commitment to support the Seal

the Deal! campaign and lobby for a fair, balanced and effective agreement in Copenhagen which will power green growth and help protect our planet, by involving tourism and travel sectors leaders in the call for an effective agreement on reducing emissions.

Source: UNWTO 2008, UNWTO 2009, Djerba Declaration on tourism and climate change 11, April, 2003 5. Tourism in Nepal 5.1, Ecotourism from Nepalese Perspective Tourism is an industry that has generates income. Throughout the world, it has been growing rapidly since human work has been replaced by machines, there is less work, and high yield and consumerism are growing rapidly. Therefore, economy has also been becoming global. The slowdown in economy of a country affects the whole global community. The interdependency is growing fastly due to the globalization due to caused by the growth in communication system. This phenomenon has benefited mostly the rich countries that have access to the world economy, such as exporting of goods to the less developed or developing countries. Therefore there should be a mechanism to enable their products to compete in global market. Since tourism is a major source of economy for the least developed country like Nepal, it should take an advantage of its uniqueness of landscape, biodiversity, cultural heritage, heterogenic society, nature walk; known as trekking, majestic views of Himalayas and many more. Next to oil, tourism industry has become the second largest industry in the world. Nepal is rich in biodiversity within the altitudinal variation ranging from 76 meters to 8848 meters above the sea level. It occupies 0.3% of total land mass of the earth while it shares 10% in the earth in biodiversity. Situated between Nepal and India, Nepal is 23 times smaller than India and 68 times smaller than China. These two giant countries are its neighboring nations that are thriving in economic development and emerging as super power of the world. Nepal has the highest mountain; Everest; and deepest gorge too. The climatic condition varies rapidly within 120 Kms from South to North (TGDB) The average length of stay of tourist is an important factor to determine the economic and financial returns from tourism. In general, the average length of stay of a tourist in Nepal is 12 days while the average spending is 65 USD (NTB). This is cheaper compared to Bhutan. The average package for 7 days for Bhutan is USD 1260.00 (WTO, 2004). This was a glimpse of income from a tourist. However, ensuring the benefit of tourism development trickle down to the grass-roots and/or points where tourism originates major concerns in the present day tourism development. The total share of Nepal is 500000(NTB) in the year of 2008; that covers both land and air travels. Available information indicates that about 924 million (NTB) of the world’s population travel from one region to another which is the raw materials of tourism industry. The psycho analysis of traveling and preparing the industry accordingly is the key component for tourism industry. Based on the assessment of the tourist arrivals in the region, it is indicated that; there is a 5% growth in the first quarter of 2008 (source: NTDB 2008).The tourist arrival in Asia and pacific is 188 million (WTTC) in 2008 of which Nepal was able to capture only 5 laces. Tourism industry is growing rapidly in Nepal and contributes 3.5% to GDP and 15% of total foreign exchange earnings of the country ( Raj. A Prakash). There are 1310 peaks that are above 6000 meter and only 326 peaks have been opened for climbing (TAAN, 2008). The first ascent of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) on may 29, 1953 by Tenzing Norge Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary created massive national and international media hype and propelled Nepal as a new potential tourism destination. Nepal Mountain regions are generally characterized by irregular & steep relief of land/surface, deep gorges, low temperature, fragile ecology, and poorly developed soil, limited choice of crops, remote isolated rural, low oxygen pressure, and low humidity of air. (Upadhayaya, 2006). According to the world travel and tourism council (cited by Dhakal, Dipendra Purush in Readings in Eco-Ecotourism) Nepal’s travel and tourism is expected to generate Rs 76.5 billion of economic activity in 2007 and increases to a total of Rs 209 billion by 2017. The contribution to the GDP is 2.7% in 2007 and it will rise to 3.3% in 2017. Similarly, the study has made a forecast that the travel and tourism create an employment amounting to 500,000 jobs in 2007, 5% of the total employment, or 1 in 19.9 jobs. By 2017 this will increase to 748,000 or 1 in 17.1 jobs. Table: 3, the Statistical Performance Tourism in Nepal The tourist arrivals in Nepal is not only increasing trend it has decreasing trend in some years like in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008 as shown in the table below.

Year Total Annual Holiday Trekking Busin Pilgri Offici Con. Raf Others Not. Avera Re Number Growt Pleasure and ess ms als / ting Specifi ge m of h Rate Mountai C ed length ar Tourist (%) neering onf. of ks stay 1999 491,504 6.0 290,862 107,960 23,81 19,198 24,13 5,96 - 19,574 -- 12.28 3 2 5 2000 463,646 -5.7 255,889 118,780 29,45 15,801 20,83 5,59 - 17,291 -- 11.88 4 2 9 2001 361,237 -22.1 187,022 100,828 18,52 13,816 18,72 0 - 22,316 -- 11.93 8 7 2002 275,468 -23.7 110,143 59,279 16,99 12,366 17,78 0 - 58.907 -- 7.92 0 3 2003 338,132 22.7 97,904 65,721 19,38 21,395 21,96 0 - 111,75 -- 9.60 7 7 8 2004 385,297 13.9 167,262 69,442 13,94 45,664 17,08 0 - 71,893 -- 13.51 8 8 2005 375,398 -2.6 160,259 61,488 21,99 47,621 16,85 0 - 67,179 -- 9.09 2 9 2006 383,926 2.3 145,802 66,931 21066 59298 18,06 0 - 72,766 -- 10.20 3 2007 526,705 37.2 217,815 101,320 24,48 52,594 21,67 8,01 65 78,579 22,159 11.96 7 0 9 2008 500,277 -5.0 148,180 104,822 23,03 45,091 43,04 6,93 243 99,391 29,529 11.78 9 4 8 2009 509,956 1.9 40,992 132,929 22,75 51,542 24,51 9,98 285 186,84 40,098 11,32 8 8 5 9 2010 602,867 18.2 63,082 70,218 21,37 101,33 26,37 9,62 730 252,47 57,651 12.67 7 5 4 7 3 Source: Nepal Tourism Statistics, 2010, Govn. of Nepal Ministry of tourism and Civil Aviation, Singha Darbar Kathmandu.

Tourist arrivals are quiet low in Nepal compared to the world market share despite its high potentials. Total number of tourist arrivals reached 602,867 in 2010. These figure indicated 18.2% increment compared to 2009. The tourist visit Nepal for different purposes and from interaction, we found that the quality tourists are in decreasing order and only the number of tourist increase. The information presented in above table no:3 indicates the performance of tourism in Nepal from different point of views. There is an increasing ratio of the tourism industry that included activities such as mountaineering, rafting, trekking, and tourism in protected area recreational. The concept of ecotourism in Nepalese perspectives is mostly related to the ways it has been packaged. When we want to develop the rural area we must plan to protect and utilize natural environment and ecology. The sustainable development of the Eco-Ecotourism depends on rural culture, artifact, scenic view, ecologically friendly environment, different type of fauna and flora, geographical situation, organic feeding, hospitality, etc.. The access to the Himalayas, its unique culture, and its historical heritage; are universally recognized. In 1998 nearly $161million foreign currency was earned and in 2006-2007 it earned $162.8. The government of Nepal recognizes tourism as a priority sector and a major contributor to Nepal’s economy. It now generates about US$200 million annually, that amounts to roughly over 4% of the GDP and 15%of foreign exchange earnings. Tourism provides direct and indirect employment to over 500,000 people. Tourist per capita expenditure was US$499 in 1980/1981 but dropped to US$474 in 1995. Since then per capita expenditure has dropped to US$400 in 1997(NTB, 2001). The mountain and Himalayan range of Nepal are not only the potential resource of fresh water in the forms of rivers, streams and lakes as a basis of clean & renewable energy (hydropower) but also abundant & prospective products for the development of Eco-tourism. These activities ranges in terrestrial (trekking, mountaineering, pony trekking, Ski diving, rock climbing, bird watching), aerial (Bunge Jumping, Hot Air Ballooning, Paragliding, Ultra Light Aircraft, mountain Flight, etc.), and aquatic (Rafting, /Kayaking, Boating, Fishing, Swimming, ware Running, etc.) spheres, all of which are full of adventures. The land coverage consists of 26 million of people, 6000 rivers and rivulets, 6000 species(2.4%) of plants; 32 pecies(6%) of rhododendron; and 360 species (2%) of orchid and 36% of world poppies are found in mountain areas of Nepal including 151 species (4.2%) of mammals, 850 species (8.5%) of birds and over 635(4.2%) species of butterflies. We also have 2.2% of fresh water fishes, 1.1% of frogs, and 1.5% of reptiles (Shakya, Karna,). Nepal is covered by multi ethnic, multi cultural, multi religious and multi lingual culture. They have their unique features in all sectors of life; distinct ceremonies from birth to death and food habit. Their uniqueness is one of the attractions for the tourist. This cultural and biological diversity is the main attraction of the tourism development in Nepal. There are 2 UNESCO natural heritage sites; 7 national parks, 3 wild life reserves, 3 conservation areas and 1 hunting reserve (TGDB). This entire natural heritage is rich in biodiversity and the periphery of this very beautiful and panoramic view of Nepalese cultural rural with organic feeding. This entire natural heritageis situated in the rural area and it helps to develop the Eco- tourism in Nepal. 2.2.2 Community Based Ecotourism projects in Nepal Community based Eco-Ecotourism run and guided by the jurisdiction of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Annapurna region of western Nepal. It has followed the principle of maximum people’s participation on a sustainable approach for a community based tourism development. This project shows indigenous people as one of the most important factors for successful management of conservation efforts, It has tried to reach out to the poorest of the poor people as much as possible, relating the attachment of the poor segment of the community in all forms of community based tourism including community based mountain tourism, mentions community based tourism both in mountain or Terai as a form of tourism that takes environmental, social, and cultural sustainability into account. Ecotourism provides an opportunity to harness indigenous knowledge for the socioeconomic benefit of rural poor communities subject to making it sustainable and pro-poor. Eco-Ecotourism is an innovative approach for the welfare of rural people while boosting tourism. It is the key to any regional or community development and has potential advantage to contribute for the development to non-industrial regions or rural areas (source: Pradhanang, 1997:28). Table:4 Number of visitors to national parks and protected areas, a comparative study from 2007 to 2009

National parks 2007 2008 2009 Remarks

Sagarmatha National Parks 26,511 31,201 29,036 Chitwan National Parks 86,433 113,486 113,788

Langtang National Parks 8,165 9,533 10,535

Khaptad National Parks 9 29 2

Shey Phoksundo National Parks 368 678 325

Bardiya National Parks 3,637 5,035 5,565

Rara National Parks 87 104 146

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 27 55 21

Parsa Wildlife Reserve 189 15 72

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve 2,166 3,344 280

Shukla Phata Wild life Reserve 136 1,397 296

Makalu Barun National Parks 261 1,371 1,828

Kanchanjanga Protected Area 328 546 449

Shivapuri National Parks 74,958 84,892 107,540

Manaslu Conservation Area 895 1443 1659(May to May)

Annapurna Conservation Area 74,128(May to May)

Total 203,275 251,686 345,670

Nepal tourism statistics 2009

The protected areas, national parks, the conservation areas, and other natural resources are the main ecotourism destinations that attracts a maximum number of tourists. The other ecotourism destination of Nepal and number of tourist visit in those areas are shown in table: 4. The other tourism activities related to the ecotourism in Nepal are the trekking tourism; rafting, expedition, etc are major activities. The major trekking areas are given below with available rate of each trekking route. The importance of Eco-Ecotourism can be implicated from its linkages at the grassroots level of a community. As tourism needs development of many factors and creates very wide range of effects, it can successfully help to improve the multiple features of socio-economic condition of people. Nepal has accepted Eco-tourism as an important utensil for poverty alleviation. The ACAP area, The Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) area, Kanchanja Conservation Area Project (KCAP) area and other conservation area national parks are major tourism destination of Nepal and also the major Eco-tourism domain of Nepal. Mainly the ACAP area is the well recommended area internationally for the Eco-Ecotourism zone. So the equal distribution of benefit of tourism to the peoples the Eco-tourism plays the most significant role in Nepal. 2.2.4 Potentials of Eco-Ecotourism Nepal has a high potential for developing Eco-Ecotourism. Domestic tourism increases as the income of the people increases. Holiday-makers will be increased when the consumer society develops. There is a correlation between Tourism and people's income. It is clear that; Eco-tourism, while still only a minority tourism market, is already making a valuable contribution to rural economies. Its contribution can be expressed not only in financial terms, but also in terms of jobs, contributions towards funding conservation, encouragement to the adoption of new working practices, and the injection of a new vitality into sometimes weak economies. In total, tourism has that following potential benefits to rural development: job retention, job creation, job pluriactivity service retention, farm support, forestry, landscape conservation, smaller settlements, rural arts and crafts, cultural provision, nature conservation, the historic built environment, environmental improvements, small minorities’ communities, and the role of women, new ideas and initiatives. The geographical situation of Nepal varies from tropical to snow zone regions. The continuous increase in global warming due to the anthropogenic activities has created anew field in the planning to adopt the development sector. The potential field is to develop the adoptability to the climate change as environmental friendly development plan in the tourism. 2.2.5 Trekking Tourism in Nepal Trekking tourism is the most important component of ecotourism in Nepal. Trekking route will often pass through forests of rhododendron, bamboo, oak, and hemlock, and visiting one or two rural each day. Rivers are crossed on log passages or suspension bridges. It is not unusual to cross snowfields in the morning and bathe in sub-tropical streams in the afternoon. For the most part, Nepal trekking routes are well traveled by local people, but remain unmarked without sign posts. The objective of Nepal trekking is not just the particular destination, but the journey itself. Tourism can travel at a modest pace, observing nature, rural communities, and spectacular mountain panoramas while you are trekking in Nepal. Experienced trekking guide will lead for path finding and an introduction to the local people, culture, religion and lifestyle. Nepalese trekking in the form of tea house and camp/tent trekking as clients demand private or group basis activities with friends, family, and students whether in large or small group for the adventure trip in Nepal Himalayas. Rafting is its aquatic activity. The rivers of Nepal are suitable for the aquatic ecotourism activities like rafting. The main trekking routes of Nepal that are the main ecotourism sectors are Everest region, Annapurna region, Dhaulagiri region, Kanchenjunga region, Manaslu Region, Langtang treks, Rolwaling Treks, Rara Treks, Lower and Upper Dolpa, Humla Mt. Kailas, Ganesh Himal Treks and other trekking routes. 2.3 The Climate Change and Eco-Ecotourism Throughout the history the climate of the world has undergone natural changes. We are currently experiencing a period of warming and it is widely accepted that the cause of this warming is a direct result of the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere caused by anthropologenic activities (from industrial developments, deforestation, agricultural improvements and the increased use of cars/planes etc). Ecotourism is a new concept in Nepalese tourism. Sending rural and winding money is a practice of Human Zoo (Zoological Eco-tourism). Eco-tourism understand that rural people are the owner of the nature and culture resources, they are the caretaker, service render and responsible for their betterment through conservation, preservation and economic development of the rural. The tangible forms of Eco-tourism products in Nepal include multidimensional attractions like snowcapped great Himalayan ranges, deep gorges, beautiful landscapes, beautiful forests (flora), unlimited wild animals & birds (fauna), preferable cool climatic conditions, traditional culture, innumerous festivals, Hindu temples, and Buddhist monasteries etc. This changes have started to affect many natural systems, including hydrological systems(increased runoff and earlier springs peak discharge, warming of lakes and rivers affecting thermal structure and water quality), terrestrial ecosystems (earlier spring events including leaf-unfolding, bird migration and egg-laying, biodiversity decline, and pole ward and upward shifts in range in plants and animal species), as well as marine systems (rising water temperature, change in ice cover, salinity, acidification, oxygen levels and circulation, affecting shift in ranges and changes in algae, plankton and fish abundance);(Stefan Gssling,C et al); The fourth assessment report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published in 2007 came out with a number of key conclusions. The major conclusions stated that the warming of the earth's climate system was unequivocal, and most likely caused by anthropogenic green house gas. During the 21st century the world average temperatures could rise by 1.1 to 6.4 degrees centigrade, sea level rise would be between 0.09 to 0.88 cm depending on the extent to which environmentally focused policies and programs are put in place. Assessment by Indian Scientists reported that over the Indian region, the warming may reach to 2.1 to 2.6oC in 2050 and 3.3 to 3.8oC in 2080s. While the rainfall is projected to increase, there will be variations in its spatial pattern (Rabindra nath et al.) The planet's climate is naturally dynamic and always changing. However, human activities have worsened the situation by releasing greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere; that causes climate to change unpredictably. Carbon dioxide (CO2), in particular is produced when the fossil fuels are used to generate energy or when forests are cut down and burned resulted in its concentration increases from 280 ppm to 387 ppm in our environment since 1750. Tourism sector, especially transportation and accommodation have a significant contribution to the overall global CO2 emission. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (NO2) are emitted through agricultural activities, change in land use and other sources. Winters is getting warmer; summers is less warm, vulnerability to natural disasters (droughts, floods, dangers of erosion, landslide and flash floods) is increasing. The Himalayan ecosystem comprises of a complex, fragile and unique geomorphology that is highly sensitive to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. Snow cover will be reduced and glaciers will melt and recede as zonal vegetation belt shift upwards due to the warming. Bio-diversity hotspots with endemic genetic resources and species habitat will be threatened by climate change. Warming would mean that there will be less snow and more precipitation in the form of rain. In the Himalayas the impact would not be limited to mountainous countries like Nepal, but would affect 1.5 billion people residing in the 9 major river basins who depend on the Himalayan "water towers" for sources of fresh water. The Himalayan ecosystem is a critical determinant of the climate of the Indian sub-continent as a whole. The rising trend of the temperature increases the melting ratio of the glaciers, and high evaporation of the rainfall that affect the river basin and coastal region. This phenomenon will raise the sea level that may cause the coastal erosion and worst a sizeable proportion of the land mass to submerge over the next 30 years (David Viner and Maureen Agnew, 1999). Those important tourism destination like Maldips and are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise. Climate change modifies rainfall, evaporation, run-off and the processes associated with soil erosion and moisture storage. Rising temperatures, increased evaporation and transpiration will induce moisture stress. This phenomena is expected to increase the risk of illness in several parts of the world and consequently the tourism. The extreme heat will cause discomfort in many places, decreasing the cloud cover that increases the exposure to harmful rays and re-emergence of the eradicated as well as new type of disease (David Viner and Maureen Agnew, 1999). The meaning and nature of resources will change. Accelerated melting of glaciers and snow from the high mountain peaks would mean that the mountains will no longer remain as the water towers for the lowlands. This will also induce changes in the strategy for water usage for energy and restriction of the drinking water supply. It may also cause an increase in forest fire and urban smug. David Viner and Maureen Agnew also reported that global warming is threatening the fresh water ecosystem upon which many outdoor recreational and tourist activities depend and the increasing temperature and evaporation rates will lower the lake levels and may change the tourist potential. Climate change could affect vegetation and ecological zone that, ultimately affect the disturbances of wild life. According to the recent scientific report (Hoegh Guldberg, 1996) coral bleaching events associated with global warming will spell catastrophe for the tropical marine ecosystem. The organisms important to the coral host abandoned the reef and corals die in large numbers. It has been estimated that in the next 20-40 years, the Great Barrier Reef will be severely damaged with the increase in sea temperature, seriously reducing the attractiveness of the area as a tourist destination (David Viner and Maureen Agnew, 1999). Extremes in the hydrological cycle leading to increased landslides, flooding, draught, sediment transport, land degradation, accelerated soil erosion and torrential rains will impact major tourism infrastructures and subsequently reduce the viability of recreation activities and wild life safaris. The changing in the hydrological pattern cause change in the lake level, losses of wetland that alter both migration patterns and breeding of birds and other wildlife dependent on the lake and wetland. The wild life and migrated birds are the major attraction of protected areas while the wetland and lake are disappeared due the climate change with which the tourism is also severely affected. The ecosystem services between the highlands and the lowlands have always been of critical significance. These ecosystem services include the functions that the highlands perform for maintaining the stability of the ecology and the human systems in the lowlands. These services include climate regulation, storehouse for fresh water, slope stability, carbon storage and carbon sequestration, genetic diversity, and not the least food security (Sharma, Pitamber). The economic valuations are being developed with reference to a number of key services such as biodiversity conservation, controlling deforestation, carbon storage and sequestration, watershed management for reliable water flow and soil productivity, maintenance of landscape and ecotourism. Ms. Serah Kiragu(IUCN) reported that the Vulnerability effect of climate change like the increasing sea temperatures, irradiance – both visible and UV light, ocean acidification, frequency of intense tropical storms, and altered rainfall and river flood that cause Coral Reefs to grow in a narrow range of environmental conditions and are particularly sensitive to changes in sea temperatures. Species inhabiting the shallower waters will be affected more than those species found in deeper waters. Climate Change may determine levels of irradiance by changing weather patterns that will affect cloud cover and the frequency of drought breaking floods may increase and reduce the visibility and limit the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water. This is having a direct impact on the pH level of the oceans and is causing acidification due to increasing levels of CO2in the atmosphere. So the climate change severely affects the Coral cover, structural complexity, food and habitat and diversity especially in the more sensitive species ultimately that severely effect the survival of the sea organisms. Reducing vulnerabilities calls for greater conservation efforts and protection of fragile ecosystems, biodiversity and water resources. However, not all of the changes will be negative. Certain climatic types in certain places will be lost, but certain novel climate is being created in other places. Mountain rangelands are benefiting while mountain shrubs and meadows are being threatened. Livelihoods such as nomadic herding will also change. The highlands are experiencing changes in agricultural practices. The shift in comparative advantage of agriculture production could result in changes in trade patterns between the highlands and the lowlands. There has always been a critical interdependence between the upstream and downstream livelihoods. Due to the climate change there may appear the new and noble species of fauna and flora, shifting of the ecological zone and change in the production system in high altitude of Nepal. Climate change could generate both some serious problems and opportunities for the tourism sector (R.K. Maikhuri et al). It severely affects the infrastructure, emergence of disease and insect pest in high altitude and cause damage and losses of the whole ecosystem. That also creates the opportunity of new arrangement and control infra-structures in order to avoid environmental damage instead of the old and traditional structure. According to the Ms. Serah Kiragu (IUCN) the climate changes affects the following sectors which is the major products of the ecotourism. Biodiversity loss could have devastating consequences even for the conservation efficacy– Individual species and ecosystems, depending on their climate tolerance and ability to disperse into a new location, new vegetative zones, are expected to shift, leading to a range shifts (e.g. wildlife, bird spp) Wetlands: Increased variability in the hydrological cycle is expected to leave inland wetlands to dry out with lower species diversity. Coastal Marshes: Habitat loss of estuaries and deltas, particularly where they are backed up by agricultural or urban land preventing natural retreat. Forests: Changes in vegetation types (given different tolerance levels of plant spp); forests may disappear in certain areas at a rate faster than the potential rate of migration or re-growth in new areas. Mountain forests: Drying out and invasion or replacement of Montana species by lower Montana or non-Montana species. Mangroves: Decrease in extent as coastal zone becomes squeezed between sea and inland agriculture. 2.4 Impact of Climate Change in Ecotourism 2.4.1 Socio-economic Impact In 2006, the travel and tourism (consumption, investment, government spending and exports) (WTTC) were expected to grow 4.6% and as much as a total of USD 6.5 trillion. This is a huge growth in tourism industry. In more than 150 countries (four out of five), tourism has been one of the five top export earners. In 60 countries tourism is the number one export industry (WTTC). The most visible are the immediate and sometimes severe impacts of weather phenomena caused by the warming: the destruction wrought by floods, storms, or fires, glacial lake overflows, the disappearance of beaches, etc... In addition there are indirect or long term impacts resulting from a substantial and lasting alteration of the environment at tourism destination that reduced their attractiveness such as polluted waters and receding forests that indirectly cause rising temperatures in humid region and encourage the proliferation of insects and the spread of contagious diseases that may well affect visitors. The first is that of small developing islands and coastal strips in the tropics. The tsunami caused by a seismic movement that struck the Maldives, on 26 December 2004, among other countries, was not a direct consequence of climate warming. Yet certain islands of this archipelago had been submerged, several years earlier, by another large wave surge as an effect of tides and storms that damaged numerous tourism facilities, Since the highest point of some of these islands such as those of Tonga, Tuvalu or Marshal Islands is just a few meters above sea level, and given that the sea level is bound to rise, their very existence is coming increasingly under threats. This is because the Maldives – like the majority of the 51 island countries or territories – live off tourism, thanks to which this nation that has recently managed to get off the list of the 49 least developed countries. Furthermore due to the warming, a large part of coral formations have already disappeared there (www.iipt.org/pdf/ tourism development and climate change). The economic impact of climate change in the ecotourism is seen by the increasing operation cost in order to develop the infrastructure. The climate change cause huge flood and landslide in the hilly areas and increase the sea level in the coastal region that destroy the tourism infrastructure. That increases the cost of the restructuring, repairing and maintaining of those infrastructure like airport, road, hotel, resorts, view tower parks etc. In addition it also increases the cost of the operation like the rise of temperature that causes some disease to the tourist has added the treatment cost. The natural catastrophes in the hilly and coastal region causes a reduction of the number of tourist visiting tourism destination as well as depleting tourism business. So there lesser number of tourist visited that causes loses of income, employment, and compelled the closing of the factory of tourism goods. 2.4.2 Socio-Cultural impact The ecotourism has positive as well as the negative impacts. It protects natural and cultural heritage and enhance the image of an area that generate source of income. It also functions as a significant catalyst of the economic growth and employment by increasing the demand of the tourism and non-tourism products. Moreover it provides re-skilling, training and employment opportunity of local services and maintenance of other amenities; supports a programmed of events, arts, sports and other culture, and helps to build distinctive communities, which result in the increase of local pride and self-confidence. The eco tourism provides opportunities for social inclusion and encourages cultural diversity. The tourism activities increase the cross-cultural interchange in different languages, religions, and ethnic groups. However tourism also has the potentials to deteriorate local indigenous knowledge and ethnic culture. Climate change affects the archeological structures as important products of tourism. The CO2 concentration in the environment causes acid rainfall that destructs the ancient structure. Just as the influx of large numbers of visitors can disrupt the natural world, visitors can also impinge upon small scale, static, and well ordered socio-cultural world of the rural community. Earnings patterns change, success/failure relationships are altered, and power structures are challenged.

2.4.3 The environmental impact Ecotourism protects the environment as the main tourism product. The biodiversity and the natural scene are the main product of tourism. Ecotourism operates within sensitive natural environments. That includes sea and lake shorelines, wetlands, high mountain areas, dense forest and conservation areas etc. Many studies have highlighted the threats thattourism has already brought into the environment. Intensive skiing has destroyed vegetation and encouraged land-slips; climbing erodes rock faces, and, with modern equipment, destroys their natural condition; walking and riding wears out paths in heavily used areas; noise and litter drive out and injure wild creatures; existing farming practices are upset by fire. The peace, quiet and authentic nature of the countryside can be seriously compromised. Diversifies fauna and flora are the main attraction of the tourist like the migrating birds, endangered plants, animals, insects, reptiles, amphibians and other aquatic animals. For the protection of the fauna and flora, the government manages the protected areas, conservation areas, and national parks, It also restricts the fishing and other aquatic activities in some lakes and rivers that lure tourists. These draw attention to the need protecting natural environment and encouraging a more rigorous analysis of the importance of the local eco-system. Climate change severely affects the environment condition that damages the nature. The rising trend of temperature increases snow melting and decreases snow covered areas as the main attraction of the tourism in the Himalayan range. Fragile ecosystem may dis-appear and shift the ecological zone as well as the production patterns also due to the ecosystem. Climate change increases the sea level causing the coastal areas to be threatened in addition the rising of the sea temperature may change the aquatic ecosystem. Furthermore climate change also causes seasonal shift that affects tourism. Due to climate change, the re-emergence of different types of insects diseases and heat rise are also hazardous for the tourism industry. It may also create new species of the fauna and flora that may create new scandal of tourism. Loses of the biodiversity, changes of the vegetation type, and the drying up of the wetland, etc... increase the negative effects of the eco-tourism in the Himalayan range and the coastal region.

2.5 The Challenges of Climate Change in Ecotourism: There are several challenges to human civilization. Among these challenges climate change and the economic crisis are the most prominent ones. The composite vulnerability of the climate change is as follows: Primary physical effect: A) Inundation, Low flow, Salt water intrusion, flash floods, drought, storm surge, river coastal morphology B) Natural ecosystem: mangroves, wetlands, deciduous forest, rain forest, peat basins, aquatic ecosystems, coastal plains C) Socio-economic stress: population, food grains losses physical infrastructure and capital assets at risks. D) Implementation of response strategies: institutional capacity, financial and technical feasibility, social acceptance

“The regional distribution of possible impacts of climate change and sea level rise is dominated by changes in sea level, river discharge and cyclone intensity, resulting in impacts that differ in north south directions; temperature, evaporation and precipitation changes, resulting in impacts the differ mainly in a west east direction” Climate change is the cause of the appearing of new plant disease; that decrease the plant suitability and adversely effects the whole production system. Due to the climate change crisis in food security, malnutrition, appearance of new disease human being, changing in the production pattern are causing the crisis of human civilization. Some climatic zone, biodiversity may disappear and new climate and biodiversity may appear. High altitude may change the agricultural land that change the present trade interrelationship between the low land and high altitude land. Heavy rainfall causes the destruction of physical infrastructure, population growth, drinking and irrigation water scarcity; change in economic activities causes the problem in management of human system. The cut throat competition of the developed countries in production industries and trade relation in the third world countries are severely affected. Climate change creates a great challenge to the human civilization and threat to the existence of the living being. It threats people of the high altitudes and coastal regions due to the rise in the temperature. Temperature rises cause the increase in snow melting ratio in alpine zone like Green land, Antarctica. Alps, Himalayan range which is the causes of the rise in the sea level, which merged the coastal region. The rise in the sea temperature looses the aquatic ecosystem, which is the attraction of the tourism. The losses of biodiversity severely affect the ecotourism development and decrease the number of the tourist in the destination. Therefore the major challenges caused by climate change to the ecotourism development are: a) Challenge in the development of tourism infrastructure, b) Challenge to minimize the cost of tourism management, c) Challenge in the protection of the biodiversity, d) Challenge to minimize the natural disaster in the tourism destination, e) Challenge to protect the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem, f) Challenge to formulate the tourism plan adopting to the climate change in the coastal and temperate zone, g) Challenge to minimize the green house gases emission by the anthropogenic activities, h) Challenge to protect the historical and cultural heritage, I) Challenge to protect the wetland and natural vegetation as the product of the ecotourism, etc.

2.6 The Adopting to Climate Change We must plan carefully in protecting the upper land ecosystem for sustainability. Biodiversity Conservation, such as control in deforestation and plan in reforestation, carbon storage, watershed management, soil productivity conservation, tourism management, soil management, crop plant adaptability etc are the main component for the planning of the development. To mitigate the challenge of the climate change, future plan must be emphasize on reducing the GHG emission, protecting the biodiversity, the human activities that concerns to eco-friendly environment to development, and the clean energy sustainable development of tourism; We must formulate the development plan by adopting the climatic condition. Addressing the changing environment and possible new trend of evolution in human civilization and living being require long term development strategic plan to mitigate the effect of the climate change in tourism. Climate change and its effects on ecotourism in the recent world needs to develop the institutional arrangement for proper management of ecotourism in alpine and coastal region, such as institutional networking and the capacity build up for the dissemination of information of the natural disaster due to the climate change. In addition the development of the conservation and protected areas and planned clean energy development project help reduce the green house gas emission effect. The institutional network can play important role to forecast possible natural disasters in tourism destinations. Conclusion and Recommendation 3.1 Conclusion This research can be a vehicle for economic development, given its potential to earn foreign exchange, create employment, reduce income and employment disparities, and strengthen linkages among economic sectors, control outmigration of local youth force and help to alleviate poverty. The “Ecotourism Destination Management for Small Island in Adapting the Climate Change Challenges” as well as the alpine region arevery serious issues for the development of tourism. Climate change is the major challenges for the development of ecotourism. It is directly and indirectly linked to the ecology. In the recent climate change phenomenon, our world has experience many extreme weather hazards such as storm, flood, drought and many natural disasters, all of which have many negative impacts on tourism and this require tourism policy makers, planner and developer to take precaution measure to cope with the climate change. Climate change is an issue that will substantially impact ecotourism and nature-based tourism. It severely impacts ecotourism destinations, environmental qualities, the future of ecotourism in climate sensitive areas, viability of ecotourism businesses, increased costs of business, and increased cost of the construction of the infrastructure. Due to the climate change there is a loss of biodiversity as the major component of ecotourism. The ecosystems, depending on their climate tolerance and ability to disperse into a new location vegetation zones, are expected to shift, leading to shifted ecological range, dry out the wetland, loss of habitat in coastal marshes, change in vegetation type in forest, decrease in the snow covered area in the Himalayan range, etc. The sea temperature rise, irradiance – both visible and UV light, ocean acidification, frequency of intense tropical storms, altered rainfall and river flood that Coral Reefs grow in a narrow range of environmental conditions are particularly sensitive to changes in the sea temperature which affects the sea ecosystem and coastal area. The Himalayan range has a fragile ecosystem and an amount of temperature change that is also severely effecting the alpine ecosystem. The economic impact to the tourism development due to the increase in the cost of construction of tourism infrastructure, operational cost, decreases the number of the tourist in the tourism destination due to recession in the business, illness due to the temperature rise etc.These are all increasing the cost of the tourism destination. Tourism product like the archeological sites are also damaged due to the process of climate change. There is a lack of institutional system to co-ordinate and connect ecotourism destination of the alpine and coastal region that can play an important role in the development of the ecotourism and networking. 3.2 Recommendations We have a lot of potentials on eco-tourism vicinity across Nepal but vicinities only do not convey changes for eco-tourism development. It needs to be assisted, harmonized and emphasized by the community and the state itself.

 Those areas need to be pollution free zones.

 An integrated approach should be followed by promoting the eco-tourism. It should be started in the context of other options and programmes for sustainable development and responsible tourism.

 Need to improve the eco-friendly tourism product, infrastructures, amenities, services, hospitalities and tourism management system.

 All eco-tourism products should offer a high quality of visitor experience and be subject to a rigorous business plan. A long term environment friendly vision should be explored for the protection of environment degradation.

 Specific steps should be taken within the community to minimize the impact of climate change and maximize the local benefit of ecotourism.

 Communities should be provided with ongoing access to advice and support in the development, management and marketing of responsible, good quality ecotourism products.

 Eco-tourism experiences should raise awareness of conservation and community issues among visitors and tour operators and include mechanisms for enlisting their supports.

 Promote the environmental friendly programme for the eco-tourism development.  Local capacity development for the protection, promotion and management of cultural, religious, archaeological, natural heritages, information and communication system in the development of the ecotourism.

 Researches go ? Get involved? into the development and management of ecotourism and regular monitoring of the ecotourism destination.

 For that purpose a strong institutional arrangement is needed to develop ecotourism in the coastal and alpine region.

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