The Namche Conference: May 24-26, 2003 People, Park, and Mountain Ecotourism Participants and Presentations: Dr. Khadga Basnet

Dr. Khadga Basnet (Kirtipur, Nepal) Professor, Department Biodiversity Research Group, Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal; email: kbasnet@ntc.net.np Abstract Sagarmatha National Park Revisited: Deforestation, Pollution, and Sustainable Management of Park Sagarmatha National Park of Nepal is globally known not only for its natural and cultural heritages but also for diverse tourism (e.g., climbing, trekking and research) and its impacts. Positive impacts are often taken as granted and negative impacts are the ones that are most highlighted. In this short presentation, I will assess sustainability of park management from historical perspective ?comparing the present with the past and predicting the possible future scenario. I will specifically focus on deforestation and pollution that attracted intense discussions particularly after the park’s establishment in mid 70s. Comparative analysis of field data, literature, and case studies show that deforestation and pollution are still among the major issues of sustainable management of the park. Within the framework of recent large-scale conservation approach, future strategies and programs have been presented as a means of achieving long-term goals of park management and biodiversity conservation.

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