“TRPAP Was Designed As A Pro-Poor Tool To Reduce Poverty”
-- RABI JUNG PANDEY
National program manager of Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (TRPAP) RABI JUNG PANDEY is a well known person in tourism sector. President of Association of British Alumni in Nepal , Pandey led the TRPAP when the country had been passing through a most difficult phase amid intensification of insurgency as well as series of political instability. Pandey spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues of TRPAP and its implementation. Excerpts:
As a national program manger, how do you see the first five years of project implementation?
Despite all difficulties in the last five years, we are able to achieve the goals set by the project. One can see what we have done in the project sites in the last five years. From building institutions to basic infrastructures, TRPAP changed the faces of many areas. Along with others, institutional mechanisms were built from the village to the central levels. Under the capacity enhancement programs, a wide range of stakeholders were given training. The number is over 13,000. Although the period between 2001-2006 was badly affected due to the insurgency in all TRPAP sites, we were able to built infrastructures, institutions through the participatory approach. This is a major success.
How do you see the achievement of first five years?
With the support from United Nations Development Program, SNV-Nepal and Department of International Development (DFID), this model project was launched in six districts. After completion of the first phase, Nepal has proved that tourism can be an effective tool to reduce poverty. Many districts have already expressed their willingness to replicate TRPAP's program model. In many other countries, TRPAP's model has already been replicated. One can see results of TRPAP in villages where we have launched the programs.
How project has supported in the area of poverty alleviation?
TRPAP aimed at contributing to achieve the single key strategic goal of poverty reduction of Nepal government through the sustainable tourism development., so program was designed as a pro-poor, pro-woman and environmentally sustainable. The project has built number of basic infrastructures like trekking trail, community halls and drinking water taps and human resources at the community level. Apart from that, we also provided training and supported protection and promotion of local culture. Micro-credit program was one of the successful programs.
How has TRPAP contributed in the poverty alleviation activities in the rural areas?
Just recently the final evaluation of the project has completed. According to the final evaluation report, TRPAP has already met 95 percent of the target. This evaluation team conducted the intensive visit of the project sites and met all stake holders. One of the major aims of the project was to address the poverty through the promotion of tourism. Our aim was also to support the sustainable livelihood by developing a model for sustainable tourism.
What kinds of permanent institutional networks have been set up for sustainable tourism?
We have set up local level tourism development committees at grass root, sustainable tourism unit at district level or district development committees. At the central level, there is a sustainable tourism unit at Nepal Tourism Board. This part is completed and all of them are now functioning properly. Even our micro-credit programs helped many people living below the poverty line to improve economic conditions.
What are other achievements?
We evaluated how the existing strategies, plans, rules and regulations look. TRPAP has supported the government to design these policies. TRPAP designed tourism policy, long term tourism strategy plan and formulated a strategy document for sustainable tourism marketing. We have handed over all these documents to the government.
What did TRPAP support in Sagarmatha National Park ?
Under this project, another important area was to work within Sagarmatha National Park to formulate management and tourism plan. On our part, we have completed almost all goals set by the project. As a world heritage site, Sagarmath National Park , Buffer Zone Management and Tourism Plan, there are many other organizations which have also shown interest in it. It needs to be developed in integrated ways and conservation activities need to be taken together. Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, National Park and Wildlife Department and other NGOs and INGOS are working together. Our activities are focused on how to give benefits to the local people. Direct beneficiaries are local people and they are the stakeholders. In that sense, the project has achieved all the objectives. Now it is for the government to endorse them.
How hopeful are you about the utilization of tourism infrastructure?
Following the present political change, the number of tourist arrival has increased in all the sectors. This is a good sign. Tourism marketing is a long term process as it takes a long time. Our product cannot be sold in the market overnight but they will gradually receive the attention in market. Private sectors are also showing interest to sell the products along with Nepal Tourism Board. In all 48 village development committees of six districts, TRPAP has supported to build the infrastructures and develop necessary human resources. This is going to be asset for local people for a long time to come.
