Tourism in Nepal

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ourism has contributed in depletion of forest resources in Nepal. It was estimated in one report that per capita fuel wood consumption per individual tourist and group tourist was 5.5 kg and 18.5 kg respectively. Economic Data Industry output was $60 million may be as high as 75% concentration in some areas. "Tourism provides the single largest source of foreign exchange for the country's development plans and the largest source of employment besides agriculture for Nepali nationals." Tourism is also the major source of employment for many residents. Employment from tourism is seasonal as a result of the weather. Most people employed by the tourism industry work only four or five months a year. It also varies from community to community depending on the popularity and location of the village. For most family members, the income is earned through trekking as guides, leaders, cooks, porters, and kitchen crews. During the expeditions the Nepali's hired to assist trekkers are fed, lodged, and provided with equipment so they return home with all of their earnings. Employment in trekking has been predominate for men but the number of women earning income from trekking is on the rise. There has also been an increase in the employment and income generated from the establishment of tea houses along the trekking route. An increasing number of tourists "carry light day packs and eat and sleep in the lodges for just a few dollars a day." A frequent complaint among the tourists is the lack of sanitary facilities. Sagarmatha National Park, the park which encompasses Mt. Everest, is getting a bad reputation as a result of all the trash. It is ironic that it is the tourists who are causing these problems, yet they believe that it is up to the park authorities to alleviate them. The World Wildlife Fund estimates that if present rates of deforestation continue,

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