Selected Projects - Dr. Sanjay K. Nepal
Mountain resort communities:
This study examines growth management issues arising from increased levels of tourism and mountain resort development in Western Canada. Community concerns about changing dynamics of second homes and tourist accommodations, housing, social structures and environmental and economic well being are analyzed. The project is funded by the Canadian Embassy, Washington D.C., and the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia. Co-investigators are Dr. Tazim Jamal and Dr. Raymond Chipeniuk. Results of this study will help in establishing long-term research plans and development strategies for small communities.
Incentive-based conservation strategies for communities around protected areas:
This study evaluates incentive-based conservation practices in Nepal's protected areas. The first phase of the project looked at how local communities perceive conservation incentives (including tourism) and if they are able to realize the linkages between conservation incentives and biodiversity protection. A related issue addressed in this study is local participation in conservation and development. The second phase of the project addresses barriers to participation in conservation and development in different political, economic and social structures. The latter study compares local participation issues in protected areas in Thailand and Nepal. The first phase of this was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. A proposal for the second phase is currently in preparation.
Tourism in peripheral areas:
This study has examined the impacts of tourism in remote and peripheral regions. Primary locations of this research are the Nepalese Himalaya (Everest and Annapurna regions), interior British Columbia in Canada and northern Thailand. Environmental and social impacts are the primary issues addressed here. Research in Nepal was funded by the Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, in Canada it was funded by the Forest Renewal BC and Northern Land Use Institute, UNBC. Current research in northern Thailand is funded by the USDA.
Ecological impacts of tourism:
This study examines the impacts on natural resources caused by trekking and hiking activities within protected areas. Research is mainly quantitative. Field data were collected in Mt. Everest National Park, Nepal and Mt. Robson Provincial Park. Current research focus is on improving visitor impact monitoring techniques. Past research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, and the Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research. Current research is supported by a grant from the RREA, Texas A&M University.
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