Story of a pioneer village to promote 'Community Based Village Tourism in Nepal' : Sirubari, Nepal's First Model Tourism Village

Going local in Sirubari, Nepal's First Model Tourist Village

If we ask the average tourists the purpose of their visit to this land the reply will invariably be trekking, or jungle safari. A few may mention shopping and pilgrimage. But that is not enough to touring in Nepal. If they want to learn a little about the Nepalese tradition and its culture they have to go to the Nepalese villages. There are more than 4,000 villages in Nepal, holding 95.80% of the total population. Nepalese culture and traditions are still preserved in the villages.

Bird eyes view of Sirubari village

Earlier, it was almost impossible for tourists to know the locals and their traditions.
For a couple of years now, the Nepalese tourism market has a new concept of Community Based Village Tourism (CBVT), which is now an import part of it.

Traditional Nepalese village gate, but safe enough

But what does village tourism refer to? Village tourism refers to tourists staying in or near a village, preferably an unspoiled traditional village, to learn about and experience village life. This kind of tourism involves the provision of local style accommodation, locally produced food items on the menu and the organization of the visitor’s participation in the village activities. The villagers provide accommodation in their own homes, and receive direct economic benefit from expenditure. The concept of village tourism is sustainable tourism that is directly operated by, and for the benefit, of the local communities. Living close to the family gives the feeling of being a part of a community for the time that visitors are there. The meals are taken with the family and this avoids the need for restaurants to be built especially for the tourists.

Traditional houses

Sirubari, Nepal’s first model tourist village designed to experience village life, lies in the western part of Syangja district. Sirubari village is a short drive and walk from Pokhara, the major tourist centre for the Annapurna region. It is reached from the road to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Situated at approximately 1700 meters, the landscape of Sirubari is unique as the topography varies from agricultural fields to steep land features.

Traditionally decorated living room

The village offers a unique experience for foreign visitors in a ‘Home Stay’ which enable them to stay with the family not as a guest, but as a member of the family. Not only that, they become members of that community. The villagers welcome the visitors with flowers and Panche Baza (traditional Nepalese music).

Approximately sixty percent of the household in Sirubari actively participate in accommodating tourists. In addition, the surrounding communities feel the benefits directly both by employment and in the supplying the additional food required. These surrounding communities are indirectly gaining benefits from the development of infrastructures such as telephone and electricity.

Lets walk together_

A nursery, considered as one of the model nurseries in Nepal, is located near the village. It covers 500 hectares of land rich with a wide range of colorful flora and fauna. It is an ideal place for picnic, camping and suitable for bird watching and wild life observation. It also has the highest hill in Syangja district. IT takes about one and half hours to climb it from the village. Paved stones line the trail. The peak is a natural vantage point for a panoramic view of the western Himalayan peaks. Also, from the top one can clearly view the magnificent scenery of the Aadhikhola and Drau Khola’s river basin. Both of these rivers are popular for fishing. Other attractions are a monastery or Gompa located in the core of the village, Maidan Kharka, Panchamul school etc.

and there's Buddhist monastery

Colorful festivals are celebrated throughout the year including Dashain, Tihar, Maghe Sakranti, Phagu Purnima, Baishak Purnima, Teej and Losar, the New Year of the Gurung community which is also a great festival.

you stay as a member of family

The family that you belong to offers home cooked food, which is traditional but hygienically prepared and delicious. Visitors can have their meal with the members of the famil, as they are part of them. The village has been awarded the gold medal by the Pacific Asian Travel Association (PATA), for its cultural heritage. Now, Sirubari is one of the most attractive destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Tourists with their emotions

Sirubari, is a perfect living example of eco-cultural tourism in Nepal.

And why?

For a start unlike so many other forms of tourism, it is unique that a large proportion of the income from tourists visiting the village goes directly to the local community. The typical portion retained is as high as 50% of the selling price. Other services, such as transport are also obtained locally resulting in around 70% of the package price staying in the district. Much of the income is used by the locals in improving their environment.

traditional wearings

One of the disturbing aspects of Nepalese society is the erosion of cultural traditions, particularly among the ethnic communities. The loss of language, religion and culture is a great tragedy for a country such as Nepal with its wide range of ethnic groups with their rich and unique culture.

Perfect living example of eco-cultural tourism in Nepal

Visitors are keenly interested in experiencing the traditional life and values of communities that they visit.
Also, as long as the tourists are attracted to Sirubari, the villagers have to develop the various infrastructures within the village to be a tourist village, which may otherwise have not appeared. The most obvious examples are the hygienic bathrooms and toilets that are mandatory for a household to have in order to be included in the roster of homes open to tourists. While facilities are provided for tourists the villagers themselves also obviously use them on a day to day basis. And there is an additional advantage to the health of the community from the use of these self-developed resources. Other facilities like electricity and telephone are additions that improve the life style of the locals.

A child of the village

In the past, touring in Nepal was meant for either trekking along the trail or staying in specially built hotels. Getting to know the locals and their culture was almost nonexistent. After practicing village tourism, it has become easy to explore the village’s traditional culture and at the same time the Nepalese tourism industry has gained a new market.

Note: This article is written by me and was published in The Kathmandu Post on 1 Oct 2001, under titled 'Going local in Sirubari'.

@alexKARKI