Role of ecotourism in environmental conservation and socioeconomic development in Annapurna conservation area, Nepal

Ecotourism as a component of the green economy is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, and focuses on environmental conservation, socioeconomic development and capitalist development. With an objective to identify and quantify impacts of ecotourism on environmental conservation, social and cultural heritage preservation, economic development and enhancement of livelihoods, this study was carried out in the Ghandruk Village Development Committee of Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Two hundred and forty two households were interviewed, followed by three focus group discussions and five key informant interviews. It can be observed that socioeconomic variables had a positive effect on tourism participation with the exception of age and landholding status having a negative effect. Ecotourism helps in environmental conservation and socioeconomic development. It also helps in increasing employment and entrepreneurship at a local level. Income and expenditure of local people had increased because of ecotourism. Participation in ecotourism, the education level, an increase in productive human capital and an increase in income had enhanced people's livelihoods. So, awareness and education programmes related to tourism, and strategies to increase the length of stay of visitors would be recommended.