Ecotourism, Environmental Impacts and Sustainability in the Himalayan Settlements: Study of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, Nepal

Nepal has advocated for ecotourism as a strategy to support community development vis-a-vis environmental protection in the Protected Area settlements. In this context, considering case of settlements along Everest trail Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, paper aims critically examine impacts ecotourism, local community’s perceptions towards and its contribution achieving sustainability region. It adopted study research used qualitative approach detailed investigation. multiple sources data collection such key informants interview, household’s survey, participant observation archival research. This concludes that current tourism planning does not satisfy objectives development. neither equitably benefitted residents nor significantly reduced use forest resources, degradation, deterioration cultural built heritage. will further continue inducing on environment, culture, communities heading destination unsustainability. A sustainable is needed integrates knowledge, skills values conservation agendas, encourage inclusive participation communities, stakeholders promote sustainability.