KEEP's major donor and partner is AFAP, which collaborates with KEEP on many development and environmental projects in Nepal and Sikkim.

KEEP has undergone many projects in joint venture with AFAP for the community development in the rural areas.

Photo1: Separating degradable and non-degradable
waste for disposal.

NEPAL

In Nepal, AFAP supports community based eco-tourism programmes, relying on KEEP's proven managerial and technical assistance. A wide range of workshops and training programmes are offered to those working in Nepal's vital tourist industry. Courses vary from hygiene and sanitation to the promotion and use of alternative energy.

SALLERI, SOLU KHUMBU (EVEREST AREA)

Working together, KEEP and AFAP have established a new visitors' and training centre at Salleri in conjunction with Himalayan Foundation (HF) in anticipation of increased tourism in this area. The centre aims to :

Some facts about the area:

Nepal, widely known as the country of Mount Everest – Sagarmatha, in Nepali, has 14 administrative zones and 75 districts. Sagarmatha District, in the very lap of Mount Everest, is situated in the Eastern Development Area. It extends from 27° 20¢ 24² to 28° 26¢ 29² N. longitude and from 86° 0¢ 29² to 87° 0¢ 1² E. latitude. In elevation this district ranges from 900 to 8,850 metres above sea level – the highest point on earth. Salleri, the headquarters of this district, lies at 2, 240 m. above sea level.

The total area of Sagarmatha District is 339,776 hectares. Of this, 33,312 hectares are suitable for agriculture, but only 14,595 hectares are currently under cultivation.

The district has four distinct climatic zones: Tropical, Sub-tropical, Temperate and Alpine. This is an area of climatic extremes. The northern Himalayan part remains covered with snow throughout the year. The central hilly area has extreme temperatures: very cold during winter and very hot during summer. The lower-lying Salleri area can experience yearly temperatures of maximum 28° C. and minimum 2° C. Total annual rainfall is 1,755 mm. Among the flora and fauna of the district are pine, rhododendron, saal, saura robusta (uttis), chestnut (katush) and musk deer, barking deer, deer, leopard, and Himalayan bear. The district boasts such major peaks as Mount Everest (8,848 m.), Lothse (8,501 m.), Ama Dablam (6,556 m.) and Nimbur (6,511 m.).Among the rivers and lakes are the Dudh Khoshi, Likhu Khoshi, Solu Khola and the Dudh Kunda and Kanchi Kunda, respectively.

According to the Population Census of 1991/92, the district has total population of approx. 97,253, of which 48,002 are males and 49,251 are females. The annual rate of increase is 2.08%. Some 85% of the total population are dependent upon agriculture. Other economic activities include small-scale hotel business, trekking, animal husbandry, vegetable and fruit cultivation.

This is one of the major tourist districts in Nepal, but it lacks the basic infrastructure, such as roads. Tourists and the local people must travel either by air or on foot. There are airstrips at Phaplu, Lukla and Syangboche, and one is currently under construction in Kangi VDC. These airstrips have been a great help in making the natural beauty of Nepal popular all over the world.

The educational situation cannot be said to be satisfactory. The people in these roadless areas generally become involved in portering and other manual labour from an early age. Traditionally there has been little interest in formal academic education.

At district headquarters in Salleri, there is one hospital with 15 beds. Elsewhere in the district there are nine health posts, 20 health sub-posts, one health centre and one herbal clinic.As to communications, there is one district post office, as well as seven area post offices and 26 post sub-offices. There is a telephone facility in Salleri as well as in 17 other VDCs. Kinga VDC has a wireless centre. Salleri Chaylsa Electric Company (SCESO) (Public Company) provides electricity to more than 500 people in 30 neighbouring villages.

Branches of several governmental and non-governmental organisations are working towards the development of this district, in a variety of sectors. It was against this background that the Himalayan Foundation and KEEP, working together with AFAP, became interested in what is now the Poverty Alleviation Through Micro-enterprise Activities Project.

For more information, please visit also :Himalayan Foundation

In Sikkim, unplanned tourism and poor conservation practices have decimated animal and plant populations. KEEP and AFAP are sharing expertise, experience, and successes while working on projects to alleviate poverty, protect the environment and minimise the negative impact of tourism. The Sikkim project is a model for similar programmes to be developed in other mountain states of India where NGO and INGO support is presently minimal.

Some facts about Sikkim:

Since 1975, the former kingdom of Sikkim has been a state of India. Tucked in between Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east, Tibet to the north and West Bengal (Darjeeling) to the south, Sikkim occupies 7,096 sq. km. of mountainous territory. The capital is Gangtok, located at approx. 1,800 m. atop a ridge in the southern portion of the country.

The meeting place of the Central and Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim boasts a highly varied and rugged topography and an impressive biodiversity despite its small size. Climatic zones range from the Tropical to the Arctic. Its location near the Bay of Bengal means that much of the country is amply provided with monsoon rain. The rich flora and fauna of Sikkim include more than 4,000 species of plants – many of great medicinal value – as well as 30% of all the birds found in the Indian sub-continent.

Not surprisingly, such a treasure-trove of scenic beauty and natural riches has been attracting ever-growing numbers of visitors. Various parks and conservation sanctuary areas have been established, but, as a basic guidebook to the country acknowledges, 'the best protection for species is the people who know and care about them.' [Rajesh Verma: Sikkim–Darjeeling–Bhutan: A Guide and Handbook]

The training workshops of the Poverty Alleviation Through Micro-Enterprise Activities have begun in the Solu Khumbu area. And what a success so far! Even with the Monsoon Blues, villagers from 20 villages up to a day's walk away came to participate in the weeklong workshop. The 35 students included 30 women. Guest speakers from Nepal and abroad spoke on sanitation, hygiene and waste management in the context of the famed Everest region.

Future sessions will focus on operating lodges and restaurants in this beautiful area of Nepal. This is a cooperative venture with KEEP/AFAP and Himalayan Foundation, with funding provided by Aus-Aid.