Welfare Entitlements, Mitigating Tactics and Coping Strategies within the Mountaineering Industry in the Khumbu Region of Nepal
Abstract: The Khumbu region of northeast Nepal has experienced dramatic socio-economic change along with the rise of tourism. The mountainous villages have developed and abandoned traditional lifestyles as tourists from all over the world come to experience the dramatic scenery of the Himalayas and ascent its peaks. The mountaineering industry thrives and does provide employment for the local inhabitants. However, it is not merely of positive matter as these occupations are of high risk, especially in regards to the locals. Numerous Nepali climbers have lost their lives to the mountaineering industry leaving their families with socio-economic difficulties or insecurities. Social provision and welfare institutions function differently, and therefore locals put their trust in NGO’s and private sponsors to help once accidents occur. This thesis is based on qualitative empirical material, collected via ethnography, and previous literature that relate to the topic of how families cope with the loss of the family breadwinner. The main idea behind the research conducted was to investigate socio-economic dilemmas experienced by families of deceased breadwinners’ and coping strategies adopted by families following the breadwinner’s death. The analysis included in this paper discusses how the NGO’s, as well as strong community structures, provide welfare in the Khumbu region these families. It also examines the aspects of why this happens to be the outcome, and possible alternatives to the existing approaches.
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