Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country range, from 70m above sea level to the highest point on earth, MT.Everest at 8,848, all within a distance of 150 km with climatic conditions ranging from subtropical to Arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.

Tourism is travel for recreation, leisure, religious, family or business purposes, usually for a limited duration. The positive effects of tourism on a country’s economy include the growth and development of various industries directly linked with a healthy tourism industry, such as transportation, accommodation, wildlife, arts and entertainment. This brings about the creation of new jobs and revenue generated from foreign exchange, investments and payments of goods and services provided. Though improvements in the standard of living of locals in heavily visited tourist destinations is usually little or non-existent, inflation of the prices of basic commodities, due to visiting tourists, is a constant feature of these areas.

Recently, Sustainable Health Education (SHE) conducted programs related to tourism in the districts Ilam and Kaski to help the people of these areas. Our main target groups were the local youths and women who were lacking knowledge and information about tourism. To create opportunities for income generation activities and employment ,SHE has realized the necessity to conduct such programs  among the disadvantaged individual or community.

The locals were made aware of the importance and benefits of the tourism. They were also informed about the ways of maintaining healthy and eco-friendly environment for tourists. People were trained to build comfortable hotels, modern bathrooms and artistically decorated rooms. People were also given knowledge on various diseases like HIV-aids and others. The green and healthy environment is the main attraction for tourists. So the surroundings and paths should be kept green and clean. Locals were encouraged to plant trees on the sideways of the road. Use of waste collection bins on the roads was encouraged. People were encouraged to build toilets on their houses. People were trained on small hotel and lodge management and local tour guiding. Locals were encouraged to make dolls from the waste cloths. Food and personal hygiene and sanitation training were provided to the people. Also the locals were encouraged in off seasonal vegetable plantation. Nature and culture allure the tourists the most. So Preservation of natural and cultural heritage  awareness program was conducted to educate the people the ways of preservation and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. Cleanup campaigns were conducted in various places. One day workshop was organized to aware people about organic farming, waste management in tourist destinations and also about the conservation of natural and cultural heritages.