Case Study: Tourism and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Nepal

Tourism industry plays and can further play a significant role for Nepal’s economy and prosperity, including in terms of environmental conservation. However, the industry has often entrenched marginalization of Indigenous Peoples in the country and resulted in violations of their rights, including in the context of establishment of protected areas, tourism establishments and businesses as well as representation of Indigenous image.

On many occasions, Indigenous Peoples have suffered loss of traditional lands and other violations of their rights in favor of tourism projects, which directly affects their lives and livelihoods. Particularly relevant is the establishment of protected areas, which have been mostly created by displacing Indigenous communities from their lands and resources. Concerningly, Indigenous communities have even been subjected to wide range of abuses, including killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, mistreatment, harassment as well as sexual violence against women at the hands of army, forest rangers and others in the context protected areas set up for environmental conservation and tourism.

Tourism establishments and business have also encroached upon lands and sacred sites of Indigenous communities in various parts of Nepal. Indigenous defenders and activists have faced retaliations and reprisals for raising their voices against violations of their rights and those of their communities in the context of such tourism undertakings, including at the hands of businesses.

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Nepali government must urgently address constitutional grievances before winter brings catastrophe, says MRG

PRESS RELEASES | 21 DEC 2015

Nepal earthquake The government of Nepal must urgently address concerns about the new constitution, which fails to adequately protect the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, or face a devastating humanitarian crisis as winter looms, Minority Rights Group International (MRG) said today.

Nepal is currently stuck in a political deadlock following months of protests over the approval of a controversial constitution that some minorities and indigenous people say sidelines their rights. Ethnic Madhesis have staged a blockade of key border points in southern Nepal since September, preventing essential goods and fuel from reaching the landlocked country, causing the price of rice and cooking oil to skyrocket.

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