Bio-diversity

The project has contributed to biodiversity conservation through its tourism awareness programme, sustainable tourism and conservation activities and promotion of alternative social-economic tourism benefits. It is a capacity strengthening project based on applied research, policy analysis, participatory planning and management, and market orientation. The project directly contributes to achieving the goals of the 9th Plan and Bhutan 2020. It also supports the work of Nature Conservation Division in their Biodiversity programme. The project has realized the following objectives: 1. Greater awareness, appreciation and protection of natural and cultural resources, among both villagers and visitors; 2. A successful model for learning platform for successfull application of the community tourism approach to Bhutan`s unique landscape and culture; 3. Provided tangible rural community assistance through training, education, improved infrastructure and facilities and modest cash income; 4. Has enhanced Bhutan`s reputation for high value/low impact tourism. Project Effects: The Nabji Trail benefits local communities by promoting greater awareness, appreciation, and protection of natural and cultural resources among both villagers and visitors that will allow the tourism growth to be sustainable. Though it is in its initial phase, the project has already begun to provide tangible rural community assistance through training, education, improved infrastructure and facilities, and cash revenue. It aims to serve as a model for learning how to successfully apply the community tourism approach in Bhutan`s unique landscape and culture. The project and its preparation have given stakeholders experience in inter-level cooperation for sustainable tourism development. Both the local (TMCs, JSWNP, local communities) and national (DOT, NCD, ABTO, SNV) level organizations have learned how to work together to design, plan and implement the project and understand the value of such cooperation. Since the trail is part of a pilot project, leaders are cautious of raising the expectations of local communities when it comes to the economic benefits. Project leaders have instead, worked to build community support highlighting the improved infrastructure and environmental awareness benefits. the first indications after the field visits, pilot tours and the first tourist groups do show, however, that the socio-economic benefits are potentially substantial. In an area where the possibilities for socio-economic development are limited and most of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, additional revenues of even USD1,000 are significant. The Nabji Trail project is the first of its kind in Bhutan, and considered a pilot project. With support from SNV`s tourism research advisor, Dept. of Tourism (DoT) has started to collect socio-economic data to start measuring impact and monitor tourism development in Nabji/Korphu. The data, toghether with the visitors` feedback questionnaires will help to identify gaps and opportunities in income and employment for the villagers. Once the project has continued to generate socio-economic benefits for the communities along the trail, DoT and ABTO is interested to replicate the project in other parts of Bhutan.

Bhutan