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Temple University

Publication Date

Spring 2011

Program Name

Nepal: Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples

Abstract

Due to the commoditization of Everest‟s summit and road construction around Annapurna, adventure tourists drawn to Nepal for wilderness and „authentic‟ village experiences are increasingly seeking more remote destinations like the Manaslu Circuit, which only opened to trekkers in 1991. The trekkers and mountaineers who travel such routes play a crucial role in ushering in the development of remote regions and reshaping the face of previously isolated villages. As agencies, nonprofits and community organizations design and market these alternative treks with the noble goal of alleviating poverty in rural Nepal, there is often a disconnect between those promoting the destination and the needs of the communities that live along the path. The village of Samagaun sits at the base of Mt. Manaslu, the world‟s eighth highest peak, and is positioned along the rapidly-developing Manaslu Circuit. Even as the community struggles to accommodate the growing number of trekkers and mountain climbers visiting their region, the village remains largely consumed with a subsistence lifestyle, and their participation in the expanding mountaineering and trekking industries has remained limited. This paper documents Samagaun‟s perspective as a Himalayan village facing rapid change, its present participation in the outdoor tourism industry, and the needs of the community regarding physical and social infrastructure before they can become active agents in the orchestration of their own development

Disciplines

Civic and Community Engagement | International and Area Studies | Place and Environment | Tourism and Travel

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