Rara National Park, 81º 59’54” to 82 º 8’27” E, 29º 26’28”to 29º 33’11”N, with elevations ranging from 2754 to 4097 m, was established on 1976 and its buffer zone was declared in 2006. The total area of the park is 106 Sq. Km and buffer zone covers the area of 198 Sq. Km. Major portion of the park lies in Mugu & Jumla district (Karnali Province, Nepal). Rara Lake, which is the largest and deepest lake of Nepal is the major attraction of the park. The lake extend about 5 Km in length, 3 Km in breadth and is 167 m deep and the area is 10.65 Sq. Km. The Lake was listed as a Ramsar site in 2006.

1. KATHMANDU ACADEMY OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Rabi Bhawan, Kathmandu
(Affiliated to Purbanchal University)
MASTER OF TOURISM STUDIES
Subject: Ecotourism Principles & Practices
Topic: Ecotourism Practice in Nepal with reference to National
Park
Prepared By:
Upadesh Kunwar
MTS
IV Semester
Submitted To:
Faculty of Management
MTS 411, Ecotourism Principles & Practices
KATH College, Rabi Bhawan, Kathmandu
19 March 2020

2. Definition of Tourism
“Tourism comprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying
in places outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.”(UNWTO).
Obtained economic growth is not stimulated by foreign exchange
income alone but also with the employment, opportunities created.
Tourism, with a projection of continued growth, currently is one of
the fastest growing sectors across the globe. The number of visitors
increased by 3.9% globally in 2018 and contributed 10.4% to global
GDP creating 319 million jobs (10% of total employment) (WTTC,
2019).

3. Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a nature based tourism, which directly or indirectly
promotes and supports sustainable economic development
leading towards the development of local infrastructure and
enhances the rural economy through the demand of essentials
required for accommodation purpose.
Out of many advantages those ecotourism has been providing,
economic gains in terms of incomes and employment along with
the conservation of nature are the major concern.
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as the
responsible travel to the natural areas that conserve the natural
environment and improve the living standard of the local people.
Ecotourism is now defined as “responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the
local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES,
2015).

4. BUNJUNGLE ADVENTURES
Panch-mane, 3 Tarkeshwor,
Kathmndu Nepal

5. Protected area and Ecotourism
Protected areas are established with the motive of conserving the
biodiversity of any region. They are often considered the basis of
conservation.
Ecotourism in protected areas is meaningful to establish mutual
relationship between the park authority and local people.
Carefully panned ecotourism, besides making significant
improvement in the living standard of people, also contributes to
the conservation of biodiversity, which have been already evident
in some protected areas of Nepal.
Ecotourism activities have brought job opportunities and income to
local people in Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal and have
contributed to conservation of varied landscapes, culture, and
biodiversity.

7. National Park Declared Year 1976 AD
National Park area 106 km2
Location Karnali province (Mugu & Jumla district)
Municipality 1 (Chhayanath Rara)
Rural Municipalities 3 (Soru, Khatyad and Kanakasundari)
Elevation 1800m to 4097m above mean sea level
Major peaks Chuchemara (4039 m), Murma Top (3726m) and Ruma Kandh (3645m)
Main mammals
Moschus chrysogaster, Ursus thibetanus, Ailurus fulgens, Prionailurus
bengalensis, Nemorhaedus goral, Hemitragus jemlahicus, Cuon alpines and Sus
scrofa etc.,
Main birds
Lophophorus impejanus, Catreus wallichii, Lophura leucomelana, Teragallus
himalayensis, Fulica atra and Anas platyrhyncho etc.
Major tree species
Picea smithiana, Quercus semicarpifolia, Cupressus torulosa, Betula utilis,
Cedrus deodara, Taxus wallichiana, Juglans regia and Popolus ciliata.
Buffer zone declared 2006 AD
Buffer zone area 198 km2
Buffer zone user Committee 10
Major castes Brahman, Chhetri, Kami etc.
Economy Agriculture, animal husbandry, trade and labor

8. Rara National Park Major Attractions
 Rara lake (largest lake of Nepal)
 Chuchemara peak (4097m), Murma top (3726m) and Ruma
Kandh (3645m).
 Snow leopard, Musk deer, Red Panda and Himalayan Monal
 Himalayan flower at summer and snow falling at winter
 Chhapru Mahadev and Rara Mahadev (Temple)
 Local culture
Murma Top President of Chayanatha Rara M-wada 9

9. Rara National Park regulations to follow
 An entry fee of Rs. 3,000 (foreigners), Rs. 1,500 (SAARC nationals), and an
additional 13% VAT must be paid at the designated ticket counter per person.
 Valid entry permits are available from the National Parks ticket counter at the
Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, or park entrance gate
Talcha, Bhulbhule, Gorusaina, and Lamachaur.
 The entry permit is non-refundable, non-transferable and is for a single entry
only.
 Entering the park without a permit is illegal. Park personnel may ask for the
permit, so visitors are requested to keep the permit with them.
 Get a special permit for documentary/filming from the Department of National
Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
 Do not injure or kill animals and uproot plants. All flora and fauna are fully
protected and must not be disturbed.
 Rubbish must be placed out, buried, or disposed off in designated areas.
 No one should walk within the park between sunset and sunrise.
 Do respect the cultural and religious sites.
 Camping inside the park should be made only in the designated areas.
 Carry out non-biodegradable items such as batteries, plastic bags, and bottles.
 Never trek alone.

10. Ecotourism and environment at Rara National Park
Ecotourism has been reported to have neutral impact on the
environment, according to the last year my observation and talked
with wada president as well as the local owner of hotel.
As ecotourism is considered to be an environmental friendly tourism
promoted with the motive of bringing positive change in physical,
biological and socio-economic environment.
 Despite the high potentiality for development of ecotourism at
Rara National Park, the visitors are not adequately visiting the
Park.
 Promotional activities and increasing other tourism
infrastructures are essential. As length of the stay of youth,
promotional activity targeting the students could be fruitful.

11. Conclusions and Recommendation
Along with its attractive geophysical, biological, and cultural features, Rara
National Park is found to be a capable site for ecotourism activities, which will
help in integration of conservation and development of the area.
Perception of visitors on facilities available like transportation, medical,
communication and others finds the sectors to be emphasized for promoting
ecotourism activities. So far, the dire environmental issues are not apparent till
date like Gatlang, Rasuwa District.
Proper planning and zonation for ecotourism infrastructures are essential to
regulate construction activities.
Additionally, as visitors are staying for short duration, people from segment of
areas within the parks are getting benefits.
Thus, design and implementation of an effective plan that facilitates and
involves local people with all other stakeholders to establish ecotourism in the
park area will help to increase the visitors’ number up to the permissible limit.
This a chance to give a win-win situation of reducing negative impacts to the
site and overall status growth of local inhabitants.
There are not enough researches that adequately address the perspectives of
ecotourism.

12. The dire environment Gatlang,
Rasuwa District.
Eco-Toilet at Ganga-Jamuna RM
Dhading District

13. Question?
Thank you