Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Nepal: classic model for sustainable trekking tourism

11/16/2022

Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Nepal: classic model for sustainable trekking tourism

Growing up in an era, when human society is constantly under the threat of depletion of natural resources, I had dreamt to visit some beautiful corners of our planet before the threat turned into a reality, like everyone in our generation has. My strong connection with sports got interwoven with my fascination for adventure travel and I started climbing the Himalayas. Once I tasted the purity of the pristine Himalayas, it never felt the need to look out for other destinations for my travels, eventually I did start exploring the diverse beauties of the globe, but I have always had an intimate affair with the Himalayas. I got enticed by the untouched beauty of the Himalayas, I got to experience on the trekking trails, only to later realise how commercialisation had started taking over! Since last 2-3 years, Over Tourism has turned into reality, and travel ceased to feel the soul-searching journeys as it did earlier. Along with over tourism, other human activities have caused the threat of depletion of Earth’s natural resources turning into a hard reality.

Up close with the Himalayas

Trekking deeply instilled self-realisations and a genuine concern for the conservation of nature in me, making me an extremely conscious human being. I started choosing the trails lesser taken for my personal gratification, and while I did my part in caring for the environment and being a responsible being, I came to realise that individual efforts are just not enough. For a balanced ecosystem, there is a strong need for the entire system to be regulated. Responsible and Sustainable Tourism is the only answer to make travel experiences beautiful. Just when my little mind was burdened with these thoughts, I got an invite for Annapurna Base Camp Trek. I wouldn’t miss any chance to be in the Himalayas, but I wasn’t sure how it would be to walk on one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. Without any expectations in my mind, I landed in Nepal and got introduced to the tourism ministers of Nepal, who had organised the trek for us.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Ghandruk office

After receiving a warm welcome at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Ghandruk, they presented their project of conserving the natural and cultural resources in this area. I suddenly felt excited about discovering something that my heart exactly wanted to hear at that moment! The beauty of the Himalayas and the craving for serenity immediately put on the back burner, I was more keen on observing and practically learning the concepts of responsible and sustainable tourism in Annapurna Conservation Area - the first and the largest protected area of Nepal.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Nepal

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has been instrumental in conservation of natural and cultural heritage, community development projects for the locals and sustainable tourism in the Annapurna Conservation Area since 1986. ACAP focuses on 7 units marked within the conservation area - Jomsom, Manang, Lomanthang, Bhujung, Sikles, Ghandruk, and Lwang. I was happy to walk the Annapurna Base Camp trail in Ghandruk region with the officials of ACAP who kept giving insights on the constant work they keep doing to conserve that region.

Conservation of rich biodiversity through Afforestation efforts

The Annapurna Mountains ranging from subtropical forests (1000m) to trans-Himalayan cold deserts (8000m) builds an amazing ecosytem for extremely rich biodiversity with over 1200 species of trees & flowering plants and over 600 wildlife species. The trekking trails in Annapurna Conservation Area are covered with thick forests owing to the afforestation and reforestation efforts by ACAP. Annapurna Conservation Area is home to over 40 varieties of Rhododendrons brought in from different Himalayan regions in Asia. Rhododendron trekking in Annapurna Region is quite popular from March to May, when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. Different species of trees and plants have been brought in from different countries and preserved in this conservation area, making it an excellent habitat for flora and fauna.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - conservation of rich biodiversity

Protection of cultural heritage & ethnic tribes in Annapurna region

The indigenous communities settled in the foothills of Annapurna Range in Nepal were originally the wandering tribes of regions under Tibetan influence. The dominant groups of this regions are Gurung, Magar, Thakali, Manange and Loba. These ethnic tribes follow Hinduism or Tibetan Buddhism with various belief systems and have unique languages, cultures and traditions. They have been mainly involved in traditional occupations of farming and animal raising. In an effort to protect the cultural diversity of Annapurna Conservation Area, ACAP has ensured sustainable benefits for the local communities.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - protection of cultural heritage & ethnic tribes

Building trekking trails with stone steps and suspension bridges

Trekking Tourism has been a great support to local communities in Annapurna Conservation Area by generating a source of income for them. It also became a reason for the minimalistic and sustainable development of the area which benefitted the local life as well. Building stone steps and suspension bridges on the trail has been an undertaking of ACAP, to make hiking a smooth experience in all seasons.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - building trekking trails with suspension bridges

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - building trekking trails with stone steps

Strategic positioning of Teahouses & Lodges on trekking trails

Tea-houses were originally teashops where locals provided meals and tea to the trekkers on the hiking trails. Later the tea-houses started giving shelter to the trekkers and evolved into lodges with rooms, washrooms and few basic comforts like wifi, charging points and hot showers. Trekking tourism saw a huge shift from scheduled camping groups to free individual trekkers, who would like to walk the trail at their own pace. ACAP has helped the lodges to be strategically positioned at a distance of every couple of hours of hike on the trail, which make perfect stops for the trekkers for tea, lunch and rest for the night.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - teahouse & lodges on trekking trails

Training of lodge owners

The lodge owners are encouraged to train themselves at the hotel management institutions in Nepal and India. The locals benefit from their education with readily available job and business prospects which eventually leads to a satisfying experience for the trekkers. The locals are also exposed to cross-cultures with the influx of travellers from all over the world.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - training of lodge owners

Fixed prices for lodges and food menus

Fixing the prices of the lodges and food menus at every destination on the trekking trail has been the most thoughtful decision of ACAP to prevent undercutting and price wars. This move totally eliminates the unpleasant experiences of negotiation and dissatisfaction related to costs on both the sides - the lodge owners and trekkers.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - fixed prices for lodges & menu

Micro hydro-electric generators

The rivers flows in full swing in this mountainous region, and instead of obstructing their natural flow by building dams across, ACAP has effectively used the flow of the rivers for micro hydro-electric generators.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - micro hydro-electric generators

Lodges with solar water heater and efficient stoves

ACAP has encouraged the use and availability of solar heaters and efficient stoves at the lodges and local households in the terrain which remains cold most of the time.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - solar water heaters & efficient stoves

Safe drinking water stations / ban on mineral water bottles

An extremely important step taken by ACAP to stop the use of bottled water was by declaring Annapurna Conservation Area as “Mineral Water ban area”. They have set up safe drinking water stations from where the trekkers and lodge owners can refill their reusable bottles. I was so happy to see this being followed so religiously, there was no trace of plastic bottles left behind in the mountains.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - safe drinking water project

Protection of environment by effective garbage collection

ACAP has continuously engaged in spreading environmental awareness to the locals and persuading them to keep the trails and their villages free from garbage. For effective garbage collection, bins are installed on the trails as well. After seeing so many places where Himalayas are genuinely bleeding, it was a relief to my soul to see the Himalayas healing in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - effective garbage collection

Health posts and mobile networks for safety of trekkers

ACAP has installed health posts and mobile networks throughout the trail for the safety of trekkers.

Adequate Information about the trekking trails for solo trekking

The carefully designed arrangements in Annapurna Conservation Area has made a way to happily embrace solo trekkers in this region. With all the basics in place, and enough information provided by ACAP on the trail, trekkers can easily and safely walk the trails on their own.
Also read - Tips on how to plan Annapurna Base Camp trek in Nepal.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - information on trekking route

Organic farming in the Himalayas

As if the clean trails, comfortable lodges, safe drinking water and natural beauty weren’t enough, I had the luxury of eating fresh food from the organic farms of the Himalayan terrains, every single day on the trail! Leaving my personal greed for fresh food aside, I actually felt glad to see the locals being encouraged to grow their own food. In all earnest ways, they could continue living their indigenous lifestyle because of the sustainable living opportunities provided to them by Trekking Tourism.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - organic farming

Community Development Centre - Ghandruk

The Community Development Centres have been planned by ACAP for upliftment of the lifestyle of the locals. Awareness and training programmes are conducted for locals on sustainable living in this area. Apart from the lodge owners who directly benefit from rooms and food to the trekkers, the others are encouraged into producing homegrown products which can be used for trekking tourism. The lodge owners are encouraged to buy products directly from the locals involved in farming, poultry, crafts, woollen items for the tourists. Community health centre and women interest groups have benefitted the local communities.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - community development centre

I consider Annapurna Conservation Area Project as a classic model for responsible and sustainable tourism as it has not only covered, but also effectively implemented every aspect of creating a positive environment by:

Being kind to mother nature.
Keeping local communities engaged and happy with minimalism.
Giving a pleasant experience to the travelers.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - Responsible & Sustainable Trekking Tourism

Responsible Tourism creates better places for people to live and visit by constantly improving and maintaining the quality of living for the locals which eventually helps in offering efficacious experiences to the travellers.
When everything else seemed to threaten the survival of humanity and nature, my trek to Annapurna Base Camp was successful in showing me the possibilities for a better future, for a balanced ecosystem.
Responsible Tourism is the only way forward..

P.S. I was on trek to Annapurna Base Camp in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board.

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