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Social
Foundation : Socially
responsible travel : Angel Tours, Trek and
Trekking Travel
Socially responsible travel-
www.annapurnanepal.com focuses on contributing to
the people of the lands it visits, respecting their
culture and preserving the integrity of the environment.
Responsible Culture
Etiquette.
Traveling in Nepal
is not always relaxing. It can be unpredictable, intense
and frustrating, but it is rewarding. Being demanding
and loud, however, will get you nowhere. Remember the
importance of ‘face’ - the subtle but important quality
of personal dignity in Asian countries.
Try to learn about the culture before you travel and
broaden your experience by the guidebook. Guidebooks can
make or break a guesthouse or hotel by concentrating
people in certain places. Guidebooks are also out of
date by the time they are distributed. Be willing to try
alternative options.
Learn some of the local language, even the basics such
as ‘hello’, ‘good bye’ and ‘thank you’ will be
appreciated! Namaste !! is a very common greeting words
for every Nepalese.
Respect the cultural differences and do not look down
on, or try to change them.
Be careful when showing affection in public.
Relationships in Nepalese society are fairly
traditional, so in general, it is best to limit
affection to holding hands- especially in the rural
areas.
Avoid patting or touching people on their heads, it is
the symbolic high point in Asia.
Be aware of the importance of the ancestral shrine in
Nepal. Avoid backing up to, pointing your feet at or
changing your clothes in front of it.
Dress
To be sure of not causing offense, it is best to respect
local dress standards and dress modestly, especially in
the countryside.
There are no areas where nude or topless swimming or
sunbathing is appropriate.
Women should try to avoid wearing low - cut or tight
sleeveless tops and brief, clinging shorts. It is
advisable to wear a bra at all times. Men should avoid
walking around bare - chested.
At religious sites, do not wear shorts or sleeveless
tops, and remember to remove your shoes.
Questions, privacy and humor.
Nepalese concepts of privacy are very different from
those of Westerners, as they are accustomed to living
and sharing in a close- knit community and in crowded
conditions.
Don’t be offended by the very Nepalese fascination with
your personal details; How old are you? Are you married?
Do you have children? Etc - questions that you may
consider private. You may find the answer ‘not yet’
(Chua) to the question of marriage or children a useful
one.
Don’t be taken aback if people are intrigued by your
side, especially if you are tall or well built. The
Nepalese are a small, slight race and may openly display
their amazement at Western bulk. Remember this when
selecting your clothing!
Talk to the locals and make friends. The people of Nepal
are friendly and hospitable. They love it when they hear
a foreigner try to speak their language.
Snap happy.
Nepal is a photographer’s dream - from the vivid greens
of the rice paddies and cloud- shrouded mountain to the
bustle of open- air markets and street life, there are
endless photographic opportunities. However, nobody
enjoys being followed by a camera, so remember to ask
permission before taking photographs- and respect a
refusal.
Don’t hound men and women in traditional ethnic dress
for the ‘perfect colorful shot’ if they appear shy or
avoid your camera, and remember that videos are even
more intrusive.
Try not to get into the situation of paying for the
right to take photos, as it encourages a begging
mentality.
If you promise to send back a photo, make sure you are
sincere in your offer.
Just say no.
It’s in your own interests to respect local regulations
and practices concerning drug and alcohol. Drugs are
illegal in Nepal and their possession or usage carry
harsh penalties.
Be careful about alcohol consumption, especially when
visiting rural and ethnic minority areas, where as a
tourist you may enjoy privileged status.
Remember that tourism can fuel the demand for alcohol
and drugs, and lead to increased consumption/ use by
locals, encouraging social problems.
Getting personal.
Be aware that in some communities it may be taboo to
conduct an intimate relationship with a local.
Don’t assume that what is acceptable at home is
acceptable everywhere. Nepal is still a largely
traditional society, and getting involved with a local
may cause offense.
Remember also that the recipient of a foreigner’s
attentions can be seriously affected within their local
communities in terns of their well being, social
standing and reputation.
Responsible Environment
Be
an environment ambassador
Home to one - tenth of the world's mammal, bird and fish
species, Nepal has a unique environment. Scattered
throughout the country are around 100 protected areas
which encompass a huge variety of ecological systems
that include coral reefs, islands, beaches and dunes,
wetlands, mountains, forests of every description,
limestone landscapes and caves, river deltas and lakes.
Among these protected areas are 11 national parks,
managed by the Forest Protection Department, which
represent some of the jewels of Nepal' s natural
heritage. Nepal's 11 national parks are
Numerous flora and fauna species are also unique to
Nepal - 40 percent of Nepal' s plants grow nowhere else
- while seven of the 12 large mammals, which have been
described in the last century, were discovered in Nepal.
Sadly, the environment is under threat. In 1943, natural
forest covered and estimated 43% of the country. At the
end of 2000, total forest cover, including both natural
forest and plantation, had dwindled to 33,2%.
Tourism provides an economic reason for conserving
natural resources and if sustainable, can encourage the
protection of the country's bio-diversity.
Helping to conserve Nepal's precious bio-diversity.
Many species of Nepal's wild fauna and flora are under
threat from both domestic consumption and the illegal
international trade. Though it maybe ‘an experience’ to
try wild meat such as bear, muntjac, bat, monkey and
python, ordering these foods will indicate your
acceptance of these products and add to their demand.
Be careful consuming wild products such as bush meat and
traditional medicine as these may have come from
endangered or threatened species. When offered wild
meat, be sure that it is derived from sustainable
management practices that can, in fact, contribute to
the conservation of wild animals and rural development.
In case of doubt, however, the best policy is to
politely refuse it.
In the case of tourist souvenirs, do not buy products
made from endangered plants or animals, such as elephant
ivory, tortoise shell, and wild animal skins. Again,
unless you are certain the species is not endangered,
never buy live or stuffed animals, however tempting, and
forgo the coral you will no doubt see on sale in the
markets. Nepal’s coral and ornamental fishes are being
severely depleted by destructive harvesting practices.
Remember that virtually all countries in the world are
parties to the CITES Convention which regulates the
trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
Accordingly, importing many wildlife products without
special permit is illegal and you could be severely
fined in your own country.
Rubbish, waste & energy use.
Environment awareness in Nepal is generally low. You can
help change this subtly by example - for instance, not
dropping litter even if someone tells you it’s OK to do
so. By setting a quiet example, practicing the 3 R’s;
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- and explaining the reasons for
your actions to others, you can play a positive role in
protecting the environment, natural and cultural
resources of Nepal.
Make sure you properly dispose of any rubbish you
generate. There are few public rubbish bins in Nepal, so
this may mean carrying it with you for a while.
If no toilet is available, make sure you bury your
waste, and avoid sites near waterways. Burning or
carrying toilet paper and hygienic items out of natural
areas is a must.
Carry a toilet roll and a couple of airtight plastic
bags with you in case you need to take your rubbish with
you.
Never use shampoo or soap in rivers, lakes or the sea.
Nepal’s waterways are precious resources, and in some of
the country’s drier areas water is a very scarce
commodity.
Please turn off your air conditioner, fans, lights and
other electrical appliances when you leave your hotel or
guesthouse.
Try to reduce the use of air- conditioners in cars and
encourage drivers to turn off the engine when
stationary.
Walking and trekking in natural areas.
Whilst walking and trekking are preferable to 4wds as a
means of exploring national parks and other protected
areas, the constant flow of tourists can still have a
negative impact on the fragile ecological balance of
these places. Remember that you are just one thousands
who will visit and impact an area.
Keep to designated trails when out walking, both for
your safety and the protection of the environment. There
are reasons why certain trails are used.
Follow the rules and regulation of the protected area
you are visiting. For example never make fires, avoid
making unnecessary noise and do not take samples from
nature (flowers, mushrooms, frogs...).
Pay particular attention to the guidelines for rubbish
discussed above. Do not dispose of rubbish attention to
the guidelines for rubbish discussed above. Do not
dispose of rubbish or cigarette buts in the wild as they
may take many years to break down (if ever).
Responsible Travel Nepal
Out and About
Buying local.
By using locally produced goods and services, you can
contribute financially to the community you are visiting
and help turn tourism to the country’s benefit.
Drink and eat local food when you can.
Use local transport and local shops.
Offer to repay hospitality in cash or in kind, to avoid
exploiting the goodwill of others. At the same time, try
to avoid paying for simple acts of kindness in cash- for
example, being given directions.
Hire a local guide when visiting protected areas or
historical sites. This way you will contribute to the
local economy, learn more about the area, and have the
opportunity to meet local people.
Giving money or gifts.
Giving money away to both children and adults promotes a
begging mentality and culture. It also highlights the
income gap and strips away people’s self- esteem. By
avoiding cash hand- outs you can play a part in
discouraging the development of a society which equates
every human action as a potential money- making scheme.
Avoid giving children money or gifts, it is better to
pay for a postcard, map, or a shoeshine.
Giving chocolate or sweets is a bad idea, as many people
do not have access to dentists and knowledge of dental
hygiene is poor.
The
hard sell.
Nepal is developing country, and one that has
experienced a long period of war so poverty is obvious
and unavoidable.
If a street seller approaches you, be firm but polite
and calm in turning them away, even if you are irritated
by a day filled with similar approaches.
Take a cycle when you can, as they are a great way to
see a city and view street life at close quarters.
Cycles are today losing out to taxis and xe om
(motorbike taxis), so you’ll also be supporting a
threatened trade.
Certain streets have seen make off- limits to cycles, so
your driver may have to take an indirect route to your
destination.
Negotiate prices in advance before accepting either
goods from street sellers, or getting on a xe om or into
a cycle.
The
sex trade.
In Asia, prostitution is an unfortunate fact of life.
The link between tourism and prostitution is undisputed.
Be aware that prostitution is illegal in Nepal. Be
careful not to act in any way that could be seen as
encouraging this, especially where children are
concerned.
Don’t buy sexual services, remember that the
relationship between tourists and prostitutes is almost
always unequal and tends to be exploitative.
The sexual exploitation of children is a significant
problem right across Asia. However, several countries
now have laws which enable the trial at home of tourists
who have committed crimes of paedophilia abroad. If you
observe anyone known to you involved in child
prostitution, you might consider reporting them to the
police when you get home.
www.annapurnanepal.com Your Passport To Travel Nepal
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