Case Study 3: SNV-Nepal
The SNV-Nepal case study explores the approach of a development agency working with local communities through social mobilisation, participatory planning and capacity building in a very poor and remote area of Nepal. The study provides a valuable example of the import substitution process -whereby the goods and services required by the tourism industry are to be produced and supplied locally rather than from Kathmandu
The Dutch development agency SNV, works through its District Partners Programme (DPP) with district and village development committees, NGOs and the private sector to "benefit women and disadvantaged groups at village level." Tourism development is one means of achieving that objective in the remote Humla District of north-west Nepal.
SNV's PPT strategy revolves around developing tourism initiatives that benefit poor and disempowered groups as opposed to the Kathmandu-based trekking agencies. The focus of the initiative is therefore at the local level - on specific enterprises and communities along a trekking trail - although SNV also engages at the policy level with the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. The emphasis of the PPT strategy is on social mobilisation through the development of community-based organisations; business planning and training designed to enable the poor to develop micro-enterprises and to take up employment opportunities.
Since the tourism programme commenced in October 1999, the community-based organisations (CBOs) have developed micro-enterprise plans, of which 32 have been approved. Six further business plans have been prepared and venture capital fund loans approved. Kermi has also opened a community campsite and other communities are planning to follow suit. Community enterprise options have also been studied for hot springs, village tours, and plans are underway to develop these enterprises. A Multiple Use Visitors Centre is planned to provide a focal point for the local provision of tourism services - such as portering, mules, horses etc - and produce - such as vegetables - to trekking agent and tourists. In addition to SME development, a number of other initiatives have been implemented including construction of toilets along the trekking trail, a US$2 per tourist trail maintenance tax and a tax on pack animal grazing in the community forest areas.
The
case study highlights:
- the
value of a long-term approach to building participation of the poor,
given the extreme poverty in Humla and lack of capacity amongst the
poor.
- the
limited time the landless, the poorest of the poor, have to participate
in the CBOs;
- the challenges of breaking into the existing well-established and connected tourism elite.
Communication
