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Socially responsible 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Guidebooks are also out of date by the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.
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