Nepal's biodiversity,
natural beauty and traditional rural lifestyle make it a perfect ecotourism
destination.Going beyond the mountaineering mantra "Take nothing but
photographs; leave nothing but footprints," ecotourism is a sustainable
form of travel that aims to minimize impact and even leave a positive trail.
Ecotourism was defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990
as "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and
improves the well-being of local people."
Eco tourism in Nepal is
newly introduced as it provides the utilization of natural resources to create
sustainable income for businesses and individuals, if it is managed and catered
properly. It focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering,
personal growth and learning new ways to live on this earth. Ecotourism in Nepal is the main form of tourism in the country aside from the attractions of
Kathmandu and other historical cities. The landscape of Nepal changes from
lowlands towards the highest mountains in the world, resulting in extreme
diversity only in area of 147,181 km sq.
Nepal contains significant percentages of
wildlife, such as 2, 04 % of the world's flowering higher plants and 8, 6 % of
its birds. Nepal contains some 5833 species of gymnosperms and flowering plants
with some 315 endemic species of higher plants, 847 bird species, 185 mammal
species, 43 amphibian species, 100 reptile species, 656 butterfly species and
185 fresh water fish species have been identified in Nepal.
It is truly remarkable
country for the development of ecotourism because of the combination of
stunning natural environment and strong cultural heritage. Over 18% of Nepal's
land has been assigned as National Parks and protected areas, attracting more
than 50% of Nepal's tourists to at least one of these areas during their stay
in Nepal. This simply demonstrates the importance of such regions for
ecotourism.
Wild Yeti offers a variety
of ecotours throughout the rural areas of Nepal. Tours may last a few hours to
a few days with accommodation. Certain tours may also incorporate cultural
experiences for a truly rounded Nepalese experience.