CHAPTER VI

IMPACTS, PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CHOBHAR

6.1 Impacts of Tourism in Chobhar

There is no debate that tourism is economic pillar of a country, which changes economic status as well as living standard of people. Furthermore, the impact of tourism industry on economic, social, cultural and environment of a country is quite obvious. Nepal is no exception.

i) Economic Impact

Tourism has become a main employment as well as foreign exchange generator of Nepal. In some cases, the development of tourism may be the only means of promoting the economic advancement of less developed areas. The underdeveloped areas of the country can greatly benefit from tourism development. Tourism provides jobs f or a large number of skilled and unskilled workers. Construction of new buildings and hotels has been providing job to the number of people. Impact of tourism upon employment is very important and clear in Chobhar also.

Employment Generated:

The major direct economic effect of tourism relates to employment. The problems of unemployment and underemployment are more active in the developing countries. The tourism industry is a highly labor-intensive service industry and hence is a valuable source of employment. It employs a large number of people and provides a wide range of jobs which extend from the unskilled to the highly specialized. Table 6.1 shows the employment generated by hotels in Chobhar, which indicates that 52 persons are being employed by the establishment of hotels in Chobhar. Out of them, 18 are locals i.e. 35 percent locals are also employed due to tourism.




Also the researcher finds that all the hotels being established in Chobhar are on rented land. The land owners are being paid ranging from Rs. 24,000 – Rs. 84000 annually, depending on the location and size of land.

ii) Social Impact

Tourism has its impact on social condition of Chobhar too. The development of tourism industry has brought a number of changes on the lives of local people, people got many jobs to do, land became expensive, modification in tradition and lifestyle and so on.

iii) Environmental Impact

It is difficult to deny the fact that tourism spoils natural environment. Materials of daily use used by tourist will make any area dirty. They bring their necessary things like beer, juice, cigarette but after using these things, carelessly, they threw it everywhere.

Effect of Tourism on Local People and Area:

Travel and tourism will be one of the world’s highest growth sectors in 21st century. Global experts, in fact, have predicted that in the 21st century the global economy will be driven by 3 major service industries – Technology, Telecommunications and Tourism. Tourism, according to experts would capture the global market and become the largest industry in the world. The economic potential of tourism development is almost unlimited and tourism is becoming an increasingly important industry on a worldwide scale.

Tourism has major economic significance for a country which is shown by 30 percent respondents feeling that tourism is the major source for income generation. The
income from tourism has tended to increase at higher rate than merchandise export in a number of countries especially in countries having a low industrial base. Hence, tourism provides a most important source of income for a number of countries both developed and developing. 23 percent of respondent are getting better facilities followed by gaining knowledge, 19 percent, employment generation, 16 percent and others 12 percent. Tourism is of course, directly related to the upliftment of the economy of the country. But only economic benefit is not the benefit of tourism, tourism has multiplier effects – for instance, the money paid by a tourist in, say, paying his hotel bill will be used by the hotel management to provided for the costs which it had incurred in meeting the demands of the visitors, e.g., such goods and services as food, drink, furnishing, laundering, electricity, and entertainment. The recipients, in turn, use the money they have thus receive to meet their financial commitments and so on. In other words, tourist expenditure no only supports the tourist industry directly but helps indirectly to support many other industries which supply goods and services to the tourist industry. In this way money spent by tourists may be said to be used several times and to spread into various sectors of the economy. In sum, the money paid by the tourist, after a long series of transfers over a given period of time, passes through all sectors of the national economy, stimulating each in turn throughout the process.


6.2 Prospects of Tourism Development in Chobhar

Prospects of Tourism:

Prospect of tourism of any destiny depends on the components of that area. The quality of tourism components determines tourists’ success in any area because tourism does not exist in isolation. According to Mc Intosh, there are 4 major supply components which are Attraction, Accessibility, Accommodation and Amenities. We can say - Tourism is the outcome of attraction, accessibility, accommodation and amenities. Mc Intosh has further classified tourism components into Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Transportation and Hospitality and cultural resources.



Chobhar do have many prospects of being developed as a tourist destiny. They are described as follows:

i) Scenic Attractions:

Chobhar is just 7 Km southwest of the city of Kathmandu, within Kirtipur Municipality at present. The location and height itself is a unique in Chobhar which has great potentiality to be developed as tourism destiny. One can have bird’s eye view of Kathmandu and Patan cities as well as Kirtipur and other surrounding areas from this place. There are undulating hills, green pine forest, rocky hills and much more to discover in Chobhar. The clean environment and clean air is its major feature. Scenic attractions include Chobhar gorge; Taudaha lake; Khani area; Chihan Danda; green pine forest and lovely blacktopped road; view of Kathmandu, Patan, Kirtipur and Bagmati river etc. Being so near from Kathmandu valley and has such great potentialities is the major factor towards developing Chobhar as a tourism destiny.

ii) Religious Site:

Shrines and Monasteries form an integral part of Chobhar. There are many famous temples, monasteries, shrines and holy centers in various places, which have its own cultural and historical importance and have potentiality to attract many tourists.

Buddhist Monasteries:

• Mahabodhi Dharmavikash Dwip (at east of Adinath temple, on the topmost
  elevation of the hill)
• Sulakshan Kirti Bihar (at Chobhar gate, near Sundari Ghat)
• Shree Kirti Vihara (at Nayabazar, Kirtipur)

Temples:

• Shree Adinath Temple
• Gandharveshwara Temple (in front of the main entrance to the Adinath Temple)
• Jal Vinayak Temple (Near to Chobhar gorge at the bank of Bagmati river) Vishnu Devi Temple (at Bhajangal)

Icons:

Chun Devi (west of Chobhar hill)
Vasuki Nag (Near Jalvinayak Temple, on the bank of Bagmati river)

iii) Cultural Attraction:

Culture is a great motivation factor for attracting tourists. Chobhar is a rich place for cultural attraction. Temples and shrines constitute the components of cultural life. The temples serve not only as the venue of social gathering but center of different festivals and jatras also. One can observe the significant features of intangible culture there. The main cultural practices fall on October/ November, when there is a month long festival and Nirjala Vrata for visiting Adinath as Adinath is a form of
Karunamaya or Matsyendranath. Also in Chaitra Krishna Asthami, there is a festival in Chobhar called Nakhu Snan, which falls in month March/ April. Being Chobhar an early Newar settlement, there are many other fest and festivals and have own cultural values, because Newari culture is unique.

iv) Recreational:

For recreational purpose, there are many places in and around Chobhar, which attracts more tourists.

Weather: The weather and climate of Chobhar is very pleasant. It is neither too hot nor too cold. On warm sunny days, people enjoy sitting on shades of forest. On cold winter days there are many places on height to enjoy. Chobhar is a place for all seasons.

• Chobhar gorge: Chobhar is famous for its gorge, which is said to have been cut by Manjushree to drain the water out from the Kathmandu valley which was supposed to have been a lake. The scenic, scientific and historic values can make Chobhar gorge one of the most remarkable tourist spots in Kathmandu valley. Also, rock climbing can be performed there for adventure tourism.
• ð Rocky-Khani Area: This place was a continuous hill earlier, but later whenHimal Cement Factory blast the hill for mining the stones, then the areawas named Khani. Most of the shootings of Nepalese Movies and musicvideos are done here. The rock climbing can also be done there whichmay attract adventure tourists.
• Chihan Danda: This place is famous for its height from where thepanoramic view of Kathmandu, Patan, Kirtipur and surrounding areas canbe seen. This may be developed as view point.
• Caves of Chobhar:
  Chobhar cave is a unique and only cave system in Kathmandu valley. Chobharcave lengths 1250 metres and is the 3rd longest cave in South Asia. It is also thesecond longest cave system of Nepal. The caves have its own historical andcultural value, and have tremendous potentiality to attract most of the tourists.
  The caves may be used for adventure tourism.

vi) Taudaha Lake:

Taudaha Lake is one of the tectonic lakes in the midland. It has religious, cultural,historical, aesthetic, recreational as well as geographical importance. Manypeople come to Taudaha for research and study. In winter, the bird watchinggroup visit Taudaha for studying about birds. In summer, many tourists visitTaudaha for recreation. As such it has tremendous potentiality to attract tourists.

vii) Short Trekking:

Nepal Tourism Board in its website www.welcomenepal.com has listed sometrekking routes in and around Kathmandu valley. It states that Kathmandu valleyalso offers some excellent treks. Some of these treks can be even completed in one day or it is also possible to turn the treks into overnight trips. Some populartreks around Kathmandu are Shivapuri area, Sundarijal to Budhanilkantha,Godavari to Phulchowki, Kirtipur to Champadevi, Nagarjun, Nagarkot to ChanguNarayan etc.
Chobhar also has short trek routes for tourists visiting for trekking purpose.Trekking from Chobhar to Champadevi is one of the best short treks which takearound 3 to 4 hours (one way).

viii) Infrastructure:
Chobhar is facilitated by all essential infrastructures. There is well provision oftransportation and communication; medical facilities; school, colleges anduniversities; clean drinking water etc. The hotels are also doing their best. For allthese reasons, Chobhar have tremendous potentialities to attract tourists.

ix) Security:
There is also well provision of security in Chobhar. The Kirtipur Police will be inshort time if we contact them. There is also recently established Armed Police Barrack in the way to Panga from Chobhar gate. Till now no problems has beenrecorded this has occurred due to lack of security.6.3 Problems of Tourism Development in ChobharThere are many problems associated with tourism development at Chobhar. Tourist could not enjoy as they expect due to lack of needed facilities.

Problems faced by tourists in Chobhar:

Chobhar as a tourism destiny has a lot of problems which would be solved,according to the needs of tourists visiting Chobhar. It has not yet been fullydeveloped as a tourist destiny, it is just in operation and only few infrastructures havebeen built till date.Table 6.4 shows the problems faced by tourists in Chobhar, which should
immediately be solved for the promotion of tourism in the area.



Maximum numbers of tourists (about 36 percent) are of the idea that there are nogood hotels and restaurants in the area. Fooding is ok but they are not providingaccommodation and other facilities to the visitors. Hence, the quality of hotels andrestaurants should be improved.25 percent are of view that there is lack of transportation and communication. Theroads are well built up but the local vehicles are always a trouble in Chobhar area.Anyone can see the Pharping- Dakshinkali route buses always to be overpassengered.There are many cases in which the passenger died due to falling fromhood. The government and related agencies should highly focus on this matterbecause the history of local buses from Kathmandu to Dakshinkali has alreadyreached more than 3 decades, but still there are not sufficient local vehicles for safeand comfort travel to those areas. In addition the available buses are so slow thateven a walking man can beat it up if the race committed between local bus and anordinary person.In case of communication, there is telephone connection, TV, Channel Cable,newspapers - all are there. But the modern communication facilities like Computers,

Internets etc are lacking in hotels. Also, mobile network is rather weak in certainplaces which should also be considered.18 percent of the respondents are feeling there is lack of security, lack of drinkingwater lack of parking lots, suffered by beggars and commented on recently selecteddump site in the gateway of Chobhar. The need for guides is felt by some 13percent respondent. However, about 8 percent of the respondents were happy withwhat they found in Chobhar. They found Chobhar to be the best and no anyproblems are faced by them.



If the population of certain area will increase for certain time, then it is obvious that the problems will arise. The problems arise when the carrying capacity andsustainability of the place is hampered.Both carrying capacity and sustainability are closely linked with environment. Everytourist region has a carrying capacity for tourists. This capacity varies with thefragility of the area concerned and the nature of the tourist activity contemplated.However, carrying capacity changes over time may be due to technologicaladvancement.Carrying capacity can be defined as the maximum number of people who can use asite without an unacceptable alteration in the physical environment and without anunacceptable decline in the quality of experience gained by visitors. (Mathieson andWall, 1982) Carrying Capacity is the concept of maintaining a level of development at will not result in serious environmental deterioration, socio-cultural oreconomic problems, or be perceived by tourists as depreciating their enjoyment andappreciation of the area\ (WTO, National and Regional Tourism Planning). CarryingCapacity is that level of tourist presence which creates impacts on the hostcommunity, environment and economy that are acceptable to both tourists andhosts, and sustainable over future time periods. (Coper et al, 1993)Table 6.5 shows the problems faced by local people due to tourism, which indicatesthat the locals are quite happy with the movement of tourists in there area.



About 36 percent respondents face no any problems due to tourism. But 25 percentrespondents feel that movement of people in their area has exploited their moral and cultural values. This is mainly due to ‘cabin cottages’ and ‘cottages with bed’ which are meant for prostitution and sexual purposes of the guests of that hotel. The
relevant agencies should strictly ban on those cottages and make Chobhar a homelyenvironment. Everyone who is involved in such immoral activities should bepunished. Pollution of the area accounts 19 percent of the respondent. The visitors bring with them the mineral water bottles, beer bottles, different fast foods and throw the plastics and bottles wherever they roam. But there should be proper provisional places too, to throw such things and tourists should also be conscious of environmental cleanliness. Increase in crime due to tourism accounts for some 8 percent respondent, which is due to some incidents of looting the taxi drivers and
some visitors in that area. The security of the area should be tight and no any visitor should be troubled.



Major problems associated with tourism at Chobhar are:

i) Insufficient Tourism Infrastructure:

These includes transportation, communication, guide facilities, enoughaccommodation etc. All these should be developed in planned way.

Case Study about Roads in Chobhar
The roads are well built up in Chobhar but poor maintenance of it has created the problems. We do have many instancesas first of all, the roads are pitched, and then for drainage or water supply, the pipes are put by digging the newly made pitch. There has not been proper coordination between department of roads, Nepal water supply corporation, Municipality and other relevant agencies; due to which the roads are dis-repaired and left as it is. During monsoon, the mud left aside the road is swept with water which makes the pitched road muddy. This is also the cause for many accidents in Chobhar. After, the monsoon, when the road becomes dry, the suspended particles in the road blow with air and have become the main cause for Air pollution. The recent data shows that the TSP and particulate matter are the main cause of air pollution due to which various health related problems as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, irritation of eye, throat problems
etc are seen.

a) Transportation Facility:

Attractions would be of little importance if their location is inaccessible bythe normal means of transportation. Tourist attractions which are located near to the tourist generating markets and are linked by a network of efficient transport receive the maximum number of tourists. Transportation is the main component to reach the tourists attractions. But in case of Chobhar, the roads and other transportation facilities are well, just to do it its proper management for safe and comfort travel. The
local buses are always over-passengered which makes travel risky. There are no taxi parks in Chobhar route. There is no any petrol pump and no sophisticated workshops if vehicle needs repair or fuel is finished. Also there are no parking lots for safe parking because there are some cases of theft of vehicles while parking.

b) Communication Facility:

Modern communication facility as internet increases length of stay of tourists. There are no any hotels which could provide computers for surfing the internet. Also, the ISDs are also not available in those hotels if the tourists would have to make some important calls.

c) Accommodation Capacity:

Accommodation facilities are essential factor for increasing the inflow of tourist. There are only 10 hotels, of which only one hotel has accommodation capacity containing 3 rooms and 11 beds, which is not enough.

d) Fooding:

Fooding needs variety. The researcher finds all the hotels to be servicing momos, chowmeins, spring rolls, burgers, cold drinks as coke, fanta etc. None of the hotels have uniqueness and they are servicing the same food and tourists are fed up of having same food. They need variety, because unique food in unique place makes people lure to that place.

e) Guides:

Also the guide facilities play vital role for fulfillment of visiting purpose of tourist. But even now there is lack of local guide. There are so many things in Chobhar, which tourist by self cannot discover. Caves in Chobhar needs guides to be traveled because it is risky to go there. The migrated birds in Taudaha are only recognized by the locals or bird experts. The historical and cultural values of different shrines and monasteries are known only by locals.

ii) Security:

Most respondent feel that there is lack of security of tourists in Chobhar. It may be due to some looting cases in Chobhar. For tourism development,security is of utmost importance.

iii) Information and Publicity:

In this modern world, communication has become the most vital thing. Unless and until people don ’t know anything special about the place, they do not travel there. Hence, whatsoever the place is attractive, it needs publicity and the information disseminated all over about its specialty. Only 16 percent know Chobhar from travel book, travel agencies or through medias. Remaining 53 percent knew Chobhar through friends and 31 percent through other sources. There are no any information centers in Chobhar to inform visitors about Chobhar. There is also lack of road signs for visiting Chobhar. No any information booklets regarding Chobhar have been
developed by any agencies.

iv) Medical Facilities:

There are no any hospitals or well built - medical house in Chobhar. Medical houses are most for any area. Only few medical houses are there but are not managed properly.

v) Trained Manpower:

Trained manpower can satisfy the need for tourists visiting Chobhar. There is lack of trained manpower like guide, cook etc. so the concrete effort should bemade to produce the required number of quality staff so as to ensure that the increasing number of tourist visiting the region get quality services.

vi) Sanitary Problem:

Chobhar also suffers from sanitary problems. The sewage are thrown improperly, the drainage system is not sufficient which may lead to healthproblems.

vii) Recreational Facility:

Development of recreational activities is necessary to increase the tourist arrival in Chobhar. Cultural programs may be the important recreational activity for the tourist from different culture because they are keenly interested in understanding others culture. Also the swimming pool, discos, pubs and night clubs, pool or snooker houses, cyber cafes, sports centre etc are needed for any area to be perfectly recreational. Besides, parks and sightseeing places should be developed and well managed.

viii) Superstructure:

Superstructure is the major aspect above ground facilities served by the infrastructure such as resorts, hotels, motels, restaurants, shopping centers, place of entertainment etc. Such facilities are not available in Chobhar. Properly managed shopping hall with parking, restaurants or departmental stores have not yet been installed nor any kind of clubs, cinema halls.

ix) Seasonal Fluctuation of Tourist Arrivals:

During interviewing with the hotel owners, researcher found that someday there were too many tourists visiting in hotels and someday there was no-one. Winter is the peak season for tourists visiting Chobhar followed by summer, autumn and spring. While talking about week, Saturday and Tuesday there are so many visitors visiting Chobhar. Fluctuation of tourist arrivals in peak and off seasons is a crucial problem for hotel owners in Chobhar. Fluctuation in tourist arrivals is discouraging the hotel owners to increase their investment for the expansion of hotels.

x) National Tourism Policy

Though the need of national tourism policy is long talked issue and government is also well aware of it, nothing substantial has been done so far. There are no promotional activities from government side. Tourism policy is essential to provide the required guidance and encouragement to the tourism industry thereby achieving desired level of success in regard.

6.4 Improvements Needed

As per the problems faced by tourists while traveling throughout Chobhar, they commented on improvements needed in the area for tourism development which is
shown in Table 6.6.

Nearly 34 percent of the respondents feel the immediate attention should be given for advertisement and communication. As per the source of information regarding
Chobhar, the researcher found that most people come to know about Chobhar through friends or relatives. This also suggests us for the development of better
communication between tourism related agencies, hoteliers and local people of Chobhar. Advertisement in any form for the publicity and promotion of Chobhar is of
utmost importance. As of earlier too, 26 percent respondent feel the need for development of good hotels, restaurants, pubs, snooker, pool houses, night clubs, swimming pools etc. Quality accommodation in reasonable rate should be provided because Chobhar has till now not been able to accommodate almost all visitors. The quality of fooding and other necessary facilities should be improved. Nearly 15 percent respondents feel the need of trained manpower and guides in tourism sector of Chobhar. 14 percent feel the need of security, hospitality, development of view spots, parks, environmental conservation etc. they also recommend for sanitation and cleanliness of the area. Preservation and proper management of historical, cultural sites is also of great concern. Also, 11 percent respondents feel improvement in transportation is needed as they found it un-comfort and slow. Even the roads are well built and pitched; it does not have sufficient means of transportation. There are no any taxi stands and taxis also do not prefer to go there due to various incidents of looting. There are no any petrol pumps and no any sophisticated workshops to build their vehicle if punctured or other problems. Hence all these improvements are of great importance, to promote tourism in Chobhar.