Eco-tourism and Sustainability : Opportunities and Challengesin the Case of Nepal

Abstract: Ecotourism is very burning issue and one of the fastest growing sectors in current worldtourism industry. Especially in many developing countries like Nepal are trying to useecotourism as a tool to achieve sustainable development. The paper mainly considers currentopportunities of ecotourism in Nepal where tourism is one of the fastest expanding industrieswhich has been leaving various negative impacts in different areas. It is aiming to study aboutthe current state of ecotourism in Nepal. The paper also attempt to give critical analysis ofecotourism impacts and challenges in the case of Nepal and point out some recommendationsfor better practice of ecotourism. The paper tries to answer the following question: Isecotourism opportunity or challenge in Nepal? How is ecotourism practised in the country?Can ecotourism be a beneficial tool for sustainable development of the country? How canecotourism be very effective means of development and conservation?Nepal has abundance of opportunities of ecotourism industry. But its effective practice andimplementation is not promising due to lack of commitment of governmental policy andplanning strategy with combination of integrated conservation and development. Thus to runecotourism project properly, principles and theories of ecotourism must be considered a majorbase while make its policy and planning. Policy must be integrative, collaborative andcomprehensive to achieve real outcome of ecotourism by realizing importance ofenvironmental, social and economic imperatives.