The Namche Conference: May 24-26, 2003 People, Park, and Mountain Ecotourism Participants and Presentations: Prof. Narendra Raj Khanal

Prof. Narendra Raj Khanal (Kathmandu, Nepal) Associate Professor, Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University; email: nrkhanal@enet.com.np Abstract Mountain Tourism in Nepal and its Risks Trekking and mountaineering tourisms have been rapidly growing in Nepal, which highly concentrate in a few pockets. Rugged topography, mass poverty and small size of national economy have caused poor service infrastructure for tourism development. As a result, trekking and mountaineering tourisms are suffered from many hazards and risks. These include snow fall/avalanche, landslides and debris flow, expedition accidents, acute high altitude sickness etc. Porters are highly affected since they are less dressed and equipped for cold environment. Community based land use planning and infrastructure development, reliable and effective early warning system, efficient rescue operation system, provision of minimum standard of material to the porters are some of the measures necessary to reduce the risk to mountain tourism in the country. Further research in this field is necessary which would help to identify the needs and design effective mitigation measures. Key Words: Trekking, Mountaineering, Park and Protected Areas, Avalanche, Landslides/Debris Flow, Acute Mountain Sickness, Frostbite, Rescue Operation

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