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Karnali Zone
of Nepal is the largest zone with 15% of total land mass. It
lies in the northwest mountainous region of the country. The
outstanding natural resources, typical topographic features
with countries' largest and deepest lakes, snow capped
mountain peaks, indigenous Buddhist and Hindu cultures and
rich flora and fauna can provide significant resources for
development of tourism. But lack of protection and poverty
induced over exploitation endangered precious resources of
this zone. Nepal has experienced that it is possible to
support conservation and alleviate poverty by promoting
sustainable environment friendly tourism.
Tourism is the most awaited tool to bring positive change to
the livelihood of Karnali people. Visitors using the local
tour operator's support during their visit would be
promoting tourism in the region. This encouragement to the
locals eventually will not be sustainable but more effective
also. Money spent here will contribute directly to the local
economy.
There are airfield with connections to four districts except
Kalikot which is now connected by seasonal roadways up to
Jumla. Karnali zone includes tow National Parks: Shey
Phoksundu National Park, famous for the Snow Leopard, is
Nepal's largest Park with area of 3,555 km. sq and Rara
National Park, is the smallest of all with area of 106 km.
sq.
Karnali Tourism Development Forum (KTDF) is established with
an objective of initiating sustainable mountain tourism for
generating local employment, income generating through
linking local product market, development of infrastructure,
preserving indigenous cultural practices and monuments, and
conservation of natural resources and environment of Karnali
zone. Reduction of poverty and biodiversity conservation
through tourism development is the main goal of KTDF. The
main objective of KTDF is to explore potential tourist
destinations of Karnali.
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