Tourism Vs Poverty
The cover story (Tourism: A Tool Against Poverty, SPOTLIGHT December 8) has pointed out a potential area where Nepal can benefit a lot. As it is richly endowed with natural beauty and cultural attractions, bringing tourists to the rural areas could result in direct benefit of the poor community. This could lead to substantial reduction in poverty, which is the biggest challenge for the country. These schemes should be linked with national plans and policies for the optimum results.
Janak KC
Lagankhel
Planned Intervention
The TRPAP project has shown a potential area where the authorities need to focus on in order to defeat poverty (Tourism: A Tool Against Poverty, SPOTLIGHT December 8). Since the project has shown the viability of utilizing tourism to fight against poverty, the authorities must prepare a planned intervention. They need to develop packages and move ahead in close collaboration with the tourism entrepreneurs to deal with the issue. Without seeking the help of tourism entrepreneurs these schemes will not succeed. Ultimately, it is the private sector that can work in the tourism area. With a vast experience and knowledge, Nepalese private sector is fully equipped to cater to all kinds of tourists. Whereas the government does not have similar expertise and experience. Therefore, the first thing that the government should do now is share the experiences of TRPAP’s success with the travel trade entrepreneurs. The government should seek their suggestions and incorporate it in a separate policy to promote rural tourism. Based on that policy and set guidelines, it can facilitate the private sector’s role in actually bringing the tourists and taking them to remote areas. That will lead to a sustainable development of rural tourism.
Keshab Baral
Tinkune
Cultural Tourism
As opposed to the natural tourism, cultural tourism can result in direct and more resources and income for the rural community (Tourism: A Tool Against Poverty, SPOTLIGHT December 8). Currently, tourists around the world not only look for natural beauties but also cultural attractions. They are always excited to explore new and unique cultures. How fellow human beings are living in remote parts of the world? This is an exciting option for them. For such tourists, Nepal has enormous advantages – from Tamang and Magars in middle hills to sherpas in mountains and tharu in the southern plains – there are many cultural attractions. Each of these communities have rich and unique cultural traits. They can be marketed to attract tourists from all over the world.
Shyam Rai
Kalimati
No Trickle Down
For years economists and planners have emphasized trickle down theory based on which they claim that even the poorest segment of the population can ultimately gain access to resources that flow down in a trickled-down manner (Tourism: A Tool Against Poverty, SPOTLIGHT December 8). They claim that pouring resources at the center, therefore, will ultimately help those living at the bottom of the development ladder. However, this theory is highly unjust. As opposed to trickle down, people are now calling for direct benefit to the actual sufferers. In this connection, the use of tourism in rural community comes as a viable solution. As per this method, tourists will visit the remote areas and directly contribute to the local economy. For instance, if they go and stay at a Tamang village in Rasuwa, they will pay money for hospitality directly to the community. Likewise, they will also pay money for local food stuffs, vegetables etc. New job opportunities can be generated and income level increased. However, for this to happen, the authorities must first focus on building at least basic infrastructures and maintaining clean hygiene in those regions. Local stakeholders must be trained about basic hospitality business as well.
Laxman Thapa
Sanepa
Women Story
The article “Revolting Against Discrimination” (SPOTLIGHT December 8) demonstrates the socio-cultural discrimination that is meted out to women of this country. In various communities, women are still treated like animals. It is very sad to note that the dawn of modernism has not yet reached those communities. At a time when the world is marching ahead with men and women working shoulder to shoulder, our people are still deeply entrenched in unexplainable traditions and superstitions. No government plan or policy can resolve this matter. What is needed is massive education and awareness campaign.
Hemanta Sharma
Balaju
Economic Uncertainty
With the mixed signals being given by the Maoist leadership, there is uncertainty regarding the course Nepal ’s economy will take in the coming days (Will It Stay The Course? SPOTLIGHT December 8). If the Maoists decide to stick with their ideology, they will be certain to introduce radical changes in the current economic policies. It is unclear how they will manage it at a time when Nepal is already a member of integrate global economic system. Such radical changes will also have long-term repercussions for the country.
Jagadish Shrestha
Mangal Bazaar
On Citizenship
Apropos the cover story on citizenship (SPOTLIGHT December 1), I would like to caution all Nepalis that they are, indeed, in a very tricky situation. If tens of thousands of genuine Nepalis of Terai region are not provided with citizenship that will start the process of alienization and could result in separatist conflict in future. However, if the citizenship rules are made unnecessarily lax, then there will be flooding of migrants from southern neighbor. Therefore, a middle path must be identified to placate the situation.
Kripa Gurung
Hattisar
