Developing the tourism sector is often identified as a key priority for Nepal development and given that much of the activity in tourism is directly linked with skilled and unskilled human capital of country. Nepal also has a distinct natural competitive advantage in the area; tourism has the potential to bring in significant foreign exchange while also bring an attractive economic activity that is accessible by the poor in rural parts of the country.
Most of the rural parts are geographically challenged for the development of infrastructure, as people have quite a hard life of living comparing to their urban counterparts. This is the one surface level fact, if any one of us has to travel to remote parts of Nepal.
Before we learn about the life style of people, first we need to understand the socio-political short snap of Nepal. Nepal had faced stable political crisis from the unification process by Late His Majesty GREAT "Prithivi Narayan Shah" 1769 A.D who had conquered Kathmandu valley. Many shah rulers ruled the country for their own interest and will which leads to evolve another autocratic ruler "Rana Regiment" who had ruled Nepal for absolute for 104 years. Here we have to imagine that common people were treated as slaves who are forced to work for the ruler and pay TAX for them, tax in sense either provide them grown foods and grains or do laborious work for their palace , no education no any self development program for common people of Nepal .
During the Unification His Majesty Great Prithivi Narayan Shah had made conclusion that Nepal is multi-ethnic , multi racial , multi cultural ,multi religious and multi lingual county , and profound quote that Nepal is " Unity in Diversity " which has also relevancy in terms of Nature too ,flora and fauna and wild life ,vegetation also has significance role to define Nepal. Time flies with the change of season , Nepal had faced many vertical ups and down in political course which leads the main common people living far from capital became marginalized from the main stream of development and progress. 10 years of weapon rival also made Nepal to halt for progress which came up with results with abroad migration for job opportunities and life saving options. Till date on an average 1500/day Youths and other people are migrating to third country for job opportunities or permanent residence purpose.
On the other hand, we can see gradual improvement in terms of financial status and life style of people living in mountains and geographically remote areas. We can analysis the gradual and continuous development of people life style as it is not because of any political agenda or development mission success. It is just because of no option left behind , people of mountain and remote area are left behind. Women here do come at the frontline of economic handling of household duties and expenses. The male leave their homes and country to earn money, and women stay back to receive the remittance money from their husbands.
They open small scale lodges and tea-houses when they feel that they can show their God gifted or inbuilt attitude i.e "Hospitality". Many of the international community were delighted to see the women coming to the mainstream for leading the house with full financial control . Yes, the women here have proved that where there is will there is way. They have managed to bring back the hope of employment opportunities through selfless service and hospitality.
Nature is always there as a topping for us, nowadays due to cross cultures, increasing literacy rates and the rational thinking of community which have increased. Nowadays, even the villagers understood the potential of tourism industry and the kind of revolution flame is spreading to many part of mountains and villages in concept of home stay , tea-house and lodge to welcome our Guest as God.
Now days at capital and other urban parts of Nepal many Tourism and hospitality education skill based industry has been increasing daily which in one hand to produce skilled human capital and anther hand to show and share the strength what Nepal and its people has.
I had done east to west walking surveys here with silent observations in the field and also face to face interviews with local residents of Sagarmathma Zone and Annapurna Region and also cross verified with various Village Development officers, other working organizations and local politicians. All of this have encouraged me to travel more with my guests and learn more about my country , including natural, social, religious, cultural and financial aspects. My next survey and research is going to be about cultural and religious tolerance.
Stay connected!
Respect!