Eco-tourism in Nepal and the Annapurna Area: a wrong impression ?

You may think that trekking is a purely environment friendly activity ...but this may also lead to strong negative effects on the environment: Nepal is a good example of the environmental impact of uncontrolled tourism to natural areas

(Extracts from WWF articles)

Tourism is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income for Nepal. Each year, over 36,000 trekkers and 36,000 porters visit the Annapurna region which supports 40,000 local inhabitants.

About 60 per cent of these trekkers come during four months of the year. They are concentrated in few places, resulting in devastating impacts on both local cultural and natural environments.
Forest is cleared each year to construct hotels, lodges and furniture and to provide fuel for cooking, hot showers and campfires. 400,000 hectares of forest are cleared each year. This is a deforestation rate of three per cent per year. One hectare of cleared forests loses 30-75 tons of soil annually. This has led to devastating landslides and floods.

86 per cent of Nepal’s energy comes from forests. In the Annapurna virtually everybody depends on fuelwood for cooking as there are no alternative sources of energy. The total daily wood consumption by and on behalf of each trekker equals the amount used by a Nepalese family of five for a week.

Tree lines have been raised and entire ridges previously cloaked in rhododendron (one of the attractions of the area and Nepal’s national flower) denuded. Few trees are left within the Annapurna Sanctuary itself.

Virtually all food and housekeeping items have to be imported from Kathmandu and elsewhere, inflating local economies and introducing non-nutritious diets.
Inadequate sanitation facilities and indiscriminate practices by tourists and trekking groups have left virtual ‘minefields’ of human excreta and toilet paper. Toilets, if they exist at all, are often dangerously close to water sources. Non-biodegradable litter such as plastics, tins and bottles, used primarily by tourists, are disposed of in nearby streams or strewn in piles at the edge of the settlements.

Tourism, as a messenger of outside values and behaviours, has also affected local cultures. Village youths are easy prey to the seductiveness of Western consumer culture as tourists are laden with expensive trappings: hi-tech hiking gear, flashy clothes, cameras and electronic goods.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) was established in 1986 as a response to the above problems. The project, implemented by the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (NGO), addresses three main aspects simultaneously: nature conservation, human development and tourism management.

ACAP strives to ensure that the beneficiaries from trekking tourism and conservation activities will be the local people, at the same time making them the guardians of their resources. The approach is that of a grassroots philosophy that strongly discourages a handout philosophy. As a result traditional subsistence activities are woven into a framework of sound resource management, supplemented by small scale conservation and alternative energy projects to minimise the impact of tourists and upgrade the local standard of living.

Eco-tourism in Laos

http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/ is an interesting website. Created by The Lao National Tourism Association, it aims at promoting eco-tourism, green hotels and nature tours and treks in Laos.

For such a destination, beautiful but still limited in volume and notoriety, we are very impressed by the effort of the governement - much more than in certain much more developed countries of the West ;-)

Here a few examples of what Laos can offer on eco-tourism:

PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS OF LAOS

The Lao system of 20 National Protected Areas covers nearly 14% of the country and is recognized as one of the best designed protected areas systems in the world. With large tracts of tropical monsoon forest, diverse wildlife populations, bizarre karst limestone formations and many ethnic minority groups, Laos' protected areas have an abundance of ecotourism attractions. Although most Lao protected areas are remote and difficult to reach, there are many existing opportunities for-ecotourism activities such as trekking, kayaking, bird watching and camping that allow you to experience first-hand the country’s magnificent natural and cultural diversity.

REGIONAL DISCOVERIES

Each of the 18 provinces in Laos is uniqueand ethnically diverse, with varying landscapes and forest types, wildlife, handicraftsand other cultural industries, Buddhist and non-Buddhist festivals, and many ecotourism opportunities. Exploring the more remote and less traveled provinces will give you a better understanding and appreciation for Laos’ magnificent cultural and natural heritage, and can help spread the of tourism to areas further away from the main tourism centers of Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

CYCLING IN LAOS
A great, ecologically friendly way to get around Lao is by bicycle. With a population of only about 6 million people, Laos has light traffic outside the main towns and biking around the country's green hills is gaining popularity. It is best to bring your own bike if you plan on a longer trip, but for shorter trips, many tour companies and guest houses rent mid-range mountain bikes. There are currently organized bike tours to the mountains and ethnic villages in Luang Namtha. Other great places to rent a bike are Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.

TREKKING IN LAOS

Trekking is a popular way to explore the mountains and forests in Laos. There are many well designed 1-3 day trekking trips available that usually invole an overnight stay in rural ethnic minority villages. If you are planning a trek, using a trained local guide is strongly recommended as trekking is still a relatively new activity in Laos. Resident guides have intimate knowledge of indigenous plants, animals and local culture, and hiring guides through a tour operator or guide service will make your trek more educational. If you want to visit a Lao National Protected Area booking a trek is one of the best ways to do it.

Eco-tourism in Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a beautiful place, but often too crowded right ? A lot of traffic, people, tourists, discos etc. but it is also the place of surf, religions, nature treks and therefore eco-tourism !

Listed below are a number of nature tour opportunities and eco-tourism facilities in Bali, Indonesia.

BALI MARINE PARK
Welcome to Indonesia's Marine Conservation Programs...Bali Indonesia considers wise use and conservation of its rich marine resources essential to the nation's future. Marine conservation programs in Indonesia vary reflecting the diversity of marine habitants and resources of the nation.
The Government of Indonesia has declared 24 marine protected areas throughout the country. There are plans to expand this to 85 reserves covering 30 million hectares.
Recent initiatives include plans for the management of important marine habitants such as coral reefs and mangroves for sustainable use and conservation. Marine animals are also benefiting from marine conservation efforts. Recent laws have banned the hunting of most turtles throughout the country.

THE REEF WATCH PROGRAM
Not only will you enjoy your day trip to Lembongan Island with Bali Hai Cruises, but you also have the opportunity to become involved in our reef watch program at the Reef Appreciation Area. Bali Hai Cruises has recognized the importance and uniqueness of the Lembongan Island Reef and are supporting the Indonesian Government in protecting and managing the reef. To firm our commitment to conservation, Bali Hai Cruises employs a marine biologist to monitor the reef, suggest new ways it can be managed and develop ways that you can learn more about the marine life and fish. The cruises and activities at the Island are designed to create as little disturbance as possible to marine life. Bali Hai Cruises is a member of and supports the Marine Education Society of Australia.

BALI ELEPHANT SAFARI PARK
Don't leave Bali without visiting these truly unique and spectacular Indonesian Elephants. Located in the cool jungle forest of Desa Taro, (20 mins north of Ubud Bali), the Elephant Safari Park offers you the chance to feed and interact with these wonderful creatures in a natural setting. A 30 minute Elephant Safari ride is available to those who wish to do more than just look. Then watch the Elephants as they take a bath, immersing themselves in the cool waters of the lake. Bali Elephant Safaris are suitable for all ages.

BALI BIRD PARK
Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, Singapadu, near Batubulan. Taman Burung houses over 1000 birds, including varieties from all over Indonesia. One of the aims of the park is to breed endangered species in captivity, including the indigenous Bali Mynah. Those of you who are not necesarily interested in ornithology will be impressed by the two hectares of Bali tropical gardens.

BALI BARAT NATIONAL PARK
Almost the whole of the western tip of Bali, covering an area of over 750 square km, has been set aside as a conservation area. Included within the park's boundaries are open savanahs, rainforests, mangrove swamps, coral reefs and Pulau Menjangan (Deer Island), a small island off the north coast of Bali. The park is a haven for a wide range of animals and birds, especially the endangered Bali Starling. Pulau Menjangan, home to the rare Java Deer, can also be visited and has very good diving and snorkeling. To enter the park you must be accompanied by an official guide and in possession of a park permit.

BALI BUTTERFLY PARK
Taman Kupu Kupu, Jl. Batukaru, Sandan Wanasari, Tabanan Regency. Recently opened, Indonesia's only butterfly park is helping to study, breed and preserve many kinds of butterflies from Bali and all over Indonesia.

BALI BOTANICAL GARDENS
Kebun Raya Eka Karya, Bedugul Bali. Established in 1959 these gardens cover over 120 hectares on the slopes of Gunung Pohon (Tree Mountain). The gardens contain a huge collection of trees, nearly 500 varieties of orchid and are rich in birdlife. As a centre for the study of local plants, the gardens also boast a herbarium and library.

BALI REPTILE PARK
Step out of time into the fantastic world that awaits you at the Bali Reptile Park. Enter the dawn of time when Dinosaurs ruled the earth, Komodo Dragons stalked their prey and Crocodiles emerged from the swamps. The Bali Reptile Park can't give you Dinosaurs, but we still have the Komodo Dragons and Crocodiles, all part of Asia's most comprehensive collection of reptiles.

BALI SANGEH MONKEY FOREST
Near the village of Sangeh Bali. This forest, of approximately 6 hectares, is filled with giant nutmeg trees that can grow up to 40m high. The main attractions here are the hordes of Balinese monkeys that inhabit both the trees and the temple, Pura Bukit Sari, located in the heart of the forest. Visitors should be aware that these monkeys are attracted to shiny objects, so cameras and jewellery should be left behind or well hidden under clothes or in a bag before setting off to explore Sangeh Bali.

UBUD MONKEY FOREST BALI
Ubud Bali. This forest is smaller than the one at Sangeh but the monkeys are just as wild.

BLAHMANTUNG WATERFALL BALI
Near Pupuan, west Bali. Dropping over 100m, this waterfall is spectacular, especially during the rainy season. Be prepared for a bit of a trek up a steep, and at times rough, track to get there.

GITGIT WATERFALL BALI
10km south of Singaraja Bali. Not far from the main road, Gitgit is an impressive 40m waterfall that gushes into a deep pool. A swim here can be very refreshing, although local legend has it that couples bathing here together will eventually separate.

UK official criteria on eco-tourism

Interestingly enough, there are many many criteria for eco-tourism that we have posted earlier on this blog - we are trying to be as comprehensive as possible thus we are sharing with you the , the UK green tourism Business Scheme criterias; we think they are both extremely relevant and comprehensite thus might be the basis of what we will work on in the next few weeks to build http://www.greenty.com/

Compulsory - compliance with environmental legislation and a commitment to continuous improvement in environmental performance

Management and Marketing - demonstrating good environmental management, including staff awareness, specialist training, monitoring, and record keeping

Social Involvement and Communication of environmental actions to customers through variety of channels and range of actions, e.g. green policy, promotion of environmental efforts on the website, education, and community and social projects

Energy - efficiency of lighting, heating and appliance, insulation and renewable energy useWater - efficiency - e.g. good maintenance, low-consumption appliances, flush offset, rainwater harvesting, as well as using eco-cleaners

Purchasing - environmentally friendly goods and services, e.g. products made from recycled materials, use and promotion of local food and drink, and use of FSC wood productsWaste - minimisation by encouraging, the 'eliminate, reduce, reuse, recycle' principle, e.g. glass, paper, card, plastic and metal recycling; supplier take-back agreements; dosing systems; and composting

Transport - aims to minimise visitors car use by promoting local and national public transport service, cycle hire, local walking and cycling option, and use of alternative fuels

Natural and Cultural Heritage - on site measures aimed at increasing biodiversity, e.g. wildlife gardening, growing native species, nesting boxes, as well as providing information for visitors on the wildlife on and around the site

Innovation - any good and best practice actions to increase a business’s sustainability that are not covered else where

The preferred destinations for eco-tourism

An interesting survey was published last night by Datamonitor on Eco-tourism. We have learned a few interesting things inlcluding the fact that the most important destinations for eco-tourism are not exactly the ones we thought of:

In fact, the top players of the ecotourism market are Ecuador, Costa Rica, Belize, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Nepal and Australia, the last being the market leader in terms of ecotourism certification. However, the trend has spread across the globe and ecotourism lodges and tours were to be found in 2008 in most countries with a nature-based tourism industry, from Laos to Brazil.

A eco-start-up winning price @ Stanford University

A good news I just read on Techcrunch...

Women 2.0 held its second pitch event today on the kempt grounds of the Stanford University.

It was a chance for five private tech companies with at least 50% female ownership to compete for a prize suite of business services collectively worth $15,000.

People’s Choice winner Gaiagy will give building owners (both individuals and businesses) personal recommendations for how they can most economically make their operations more “green”. The site will focus on three primary areas: space heating and cooling, water heating, and lighting, with a beta version of the lighting tool slated for launch at the end of the summer. Gaiagy will not only recommend building products that can be bought directly online, but it will also rate and refer the installers who are needed for many eco-friendly upgrades.

A great tool for our partner hotels right ? A way for eco-hotel to become even more environmentaly friendly and adopt responsible travel.

Quite a different eco-tourism initiative in Singapore ;-)

Singapore might not ne known for being an eco-friendly. Its carbon footprint, with its giant a/c malls and permanent construction work, is quite heavy.

However Singapore is trying hard to counterbalance some of these negative effects - with an efficient subway system, more buses (when will they be green tough?), and a toll road to get into the City ...whose price just doubled in January.

Singapore also got this interesting idea: Semakau island - a waste island transformed into a eco-tourism site >..

A nature haven has blossomed in an unlikely location barely a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland of the land-scarce city-state, whose economic success and rapid modernisation generates a massive amount of waste daily.
The 350-hectare (865-acre) offshore landfill, comprising two natural islets connected by a rock embankment, can hold 63 million cubic metres (81.9 million cubic yards) of rubbish, enough to accommodate Singapore's landfill needs until 2045.

Thanks to the work of scientists, planners, engineers and environmentalists, a rich variety of flora and fauna is surviving on the island, including 55 species of birds like the endangered great-billed heron.

Recent private surveys on Semakau's relatively unexplored marine life have also yielded exciting discoveries including a vast meadow of rare tape seagrass, giant barramundi cod and even reported sightings of black-tipped sharks.
"Semakau's marine life is amazingly rich... some parts of it are so rare that it can no longer be found elsewhere in Singapore," Ria Tan, who owns a popular nature website, Wild Singapore, said.
Worries of animals feeding on the refuse are unfounded, as more than 80 percent of the waste consists of inorganic matter, and is unlikely to attract any preying animals, according to the landfill's general manager, Ong Chong Peng.
"We had this concept to build a pretty unique landfill, yet at the same time ensure that the eco-system remains preserved and protected," Ong told AFP during a visit to the island.
To ensure that the surrounding areas stay pollution-free, Ong and his team of 100 staff employ compactors and bulldozers to level the waste after it is dumped into landfill cells lined with a thick plastic membrane. The cells are then topped off with fertile soil.
Two mangrove plantations were also replanted next to the landfills, serving as biological indicators should there be any leaks of harmful waste into the sea, Ong said.
"The basic premise of our operations was creating an island from the sea, by dumping waste," said the landfill's operations manager, Loo Eng Por, who has been working on the island since it began operations in 1999.
The idea of having a tourist attraction made from garbage was recently mooted by Minister of Environment and Water Resources Yacoob Ibrahim, who sees Semakau as an example of how refuse and conservation can co-exist.

Mr Tan, who is also an associate member of one such group engaging in biodiversity research, organises hour-long nature tours of the island's extensive seagrass clusters and wildlife-teeming mangroves. "We try to keep (the walks) short, sweet and pleasant... You'll never know whether urbanites like Singaporeans will enjoy them or not, but I'm pretty sure nature lovers will," she said confidently.

But Ho Hua Chew, an avid bird-watcher with another interest group permitted to travel to the island, sounded a word of caution. "The bigger the landfill, the lesser the indigenous animals and inter-tidal marine life... we mustn't extend the idea that landfills are good for biodiversity," Ho said between hopeful peeks through his binoculars.

So who knows , that might be great idea promoting both an efficient waste management and exo-tourism in a city like Singapore

Intercontinental unveils a 100% green hotel project

That is definitely a great news for eco tourism. One of the world's most respected chains has unveiled last week this great, revolutionary project:

You cna find out more on this eco-hotel - by visiting the project's website:

http://www.ihgplc.com/innovation/index.asp?pageid=23

That is a real showcase on responsible tourism. IHG group insists on its four main axis:

Energy conservation
Our hotels are consumers of energy as they are hosting guests 24 hours a day.
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are all sources of energy for our businesses and our communities. When they burn they produce carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
To cut down on the amount of fossil fuels used, our hotels invest in energy-efficient products and offer environmentally friendly alternatives for our guests. Our hotels are also exploring more sustainable sources of power, such as solar and wind power, as well as biofuels.

Recycling
Recycling helps to conserve resources and energy.
It's important to think about the environmental impact of materials over their whole lifecycle: whether they are from a sustainable source, how they are gathered, processed and transported and whether they can be recycled and used again.
Making something from recycled material creates less pollution and uses less energy. It also helps to conserve resources and reduce what is sent to landfill.
Our hotels will look to reuse or recycle wherever possible.

Water conservation
Water is a precious resource so hotels need to manage the effect they have on local supply.
The answer is a combination of good operating practices and investment in low flow technologies and equipment.
These measures need not affect the quality of the guest experience or be expensive. For example, water-efficient showerheads and toilets save water without compromising performance, while rainwater can be collected and replace tap water for watering hotel grounds.

Destination conservation
Hotels don't exist in a vacuum. They should be sited, designed, built and operated in a responsible way.
It is vital that hotels respect and work with their local communities.
Destination conservation is about initiatives that help to root hotels in their local community – its environment, culture, heritage and the well-being of its citizens.

let's see how the project is going to come live ;-)

101 Ecotourism Tips from Skal and amazing Thailand organization

Skal International and the State Organization of Thailand Tourism "Amazing Thailand" has recently published “Tips for Sustainable Tourism” to promote its Ecotourism prize. The 32 page guide is available as a .pdf free download from:

http://www.skal.org/pdf/101tips_eco.pdf

I hope it can help you sourcing some new and fresh ideas on how to go greener and more responsible on your next holiday....

Enjoy a bit more of eco tourism !

A eco-avenue in a greener Tokyo ...

Just came back from a trip in buzzling and dazzling Tokyo ... Such a wonderful city, amazing, lively, energetic, caring and always so surprising ... I passed by a couple of interesting shops focused towards sustainable development and green mindset, a growing trend in japan of course.... There are also more and more green hotels and offers on sustainable travel.

However something caught my eyes when walking on Tokyo's main shopping street, Omotesando Dori. I passed by the "eco-avenue" and nothing especially green to see there , except maybe for the strange bar-minibus (check the interesting picture below;-) and its green surrounsding...

So coming back to Singapore I checked what was this eco-avenue, and here it is: a night to live, interact and make business under candlelights, for not less than 1M people ... that was worth the eco-avenue name....Congratulations, Tokyo !

here is the report from Mori Building Co Ltd, the organizer ....

"Omotesando Hills participates in Candle Night @OMOTESANDO - EcoAvenue for the first timeFriday, June 22, with children lighting candles

Rethinking our lifestyles in today's society from the perspectives of protecting the environment and reducing energy consumption, Omotesando Hills will participate this year for the first time in Candle Night @OMOTESANDO - EcoAvenue, held throughout the streets of Omotesando. Under the theme of "spending a slow evening with the power off," this year's event aims to have 1 million people spend the evening under candlelight.The Children's Candle Parade, starting at 7:00 pm on Friday, June 22, will feature approximately 50 children from Jingumae Elementary School, which neighbors Omotesando Hills, walking the streets of Omotesando holding candles. The children will light the candles placed along the path through Omotesando Hills.*The Bright-Up Wall installed on the exterior wall of Omotesando Hills - 250 meters long and using approximately 20,000 - will be turned off at 8:00 pm. Its light will be replaced by light from approximately 720 candles placed on the path through Omotesando Hills and in four locations, including at the top of the Bright-Up Wall, and from 36 paper lanterns using LEDs as their light source. Furthermore, from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, about ten indoor shops will operate with reduced lighting, lowering their lights and lighting up candles."

Tulum Mexico Eco Lodge

Tulum

A year ago, I've been with my family to a great small place on the shore in Tulum, Caribean, Mexico.

It was spring break 07 .

10 casitas along the shore, a yoga studio, and a perfect host, Roberto.
Of course, no electricity during the day, only few hours at night, a perfect taste of paradise.

Every morning a breakfast with the other guests, time to enjoy the day. Roberto is living in his own casita in the center of the lodge and take care of your well being with a perfect smile.
http://www.shambalapetithotel.com/

Ivory coast: Renewing Capacity for Tourism Development in Africa

I've found a very interesting article on the World tourism website about an african UN project. Tourism and local green development schemes are studied as a tool to alleviate poverty.

"April 28, 2008, United Nations, UNWTO, is actively supporting African destinations which have the capacity to renew their tourism development after having recently suffered from internal crisis.

Among other activities, the Organization has agreed to convene a major Conference in September 2008 for investors, tourism stakeholders and airlines, in order to raise the awareness on the opportunities in this sector. This gathering will also include parliamentarians and local authorities and count on the support of international experts.

Further activities will range from supporting marketing efforts in foreign tourism markets, advancing UNWTO’s ST-EP Initiative (Sustainable Tourism – Elimination of Poverty), as well as facilitating the full reintegration of Côte d’Ivoire in the global tourism community and its return to an important role within UNWTO. The Organization will offer similar support to Mauritania.