CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 01

INTRODUCTION
Bandipur is a town located in Tanahun District, 140 kilometers from
Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. It covers an area of
approximately 45 square kilometers and has 9 wards. The economy of
Bandipur is based on agriculture and trade. The town is located on a hill
ridge and has a historical route that was used by many ancient
merchants. Bandipur has a preserved cultural atmosphere of the
Newari people and culture, and is a Newar town outside the
Kathmandu valley.

HISTORY
Bandipur was originally a village of Magars, an ethnic group of
Nepal. Newar traders from Bhaktapur arrived in the early 19th
century and developed Bandipur into an important stop along the
India-Tibet trade route, bringing their cultural heritage and
architecture with them. Bandipur became a prosperous trading
center with town-like features. However, in the 1970s, trading
declined steeply with the construction of the Kathmandu-
Pokhara highway, and Bandipur lost importance as the district
headquarters of Tanahun were moved to Damauli. The population
declined considerably, and Bandipur became a semi-ghost town.
CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 02

ARCHITECTURE
Bandipur is known for its linear arrangement of houses
along the main street.
The main characteristic of the town is its covered
veranda that runs across the main street.
Houses in Bandipur are typically 3-3.5 storey high and
have a rectangular plan.
The ground floor is used as shops/restaurants, the first
floor for living spaces, and the top floor for
kitchen/puja room.
The exterior walls are half a meter thick, which helps
keep the interiors cool in summer and warm in winter.
Materials used in Bandipur's houses include bricks,
timber, clay, and stone.
Slate stone is used for roofing, while black or dark-
colored wood is used for windows and doors.
The main living room has a large window with
decorative wood carvings.
Wooden framework of pillars and beams support the
ceilings, which are covered by a mixture of mud, clay,
and cow dung.
CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 03

BECTP
(Bandipur Eco-Cultural Tourism Project)
The Bandipur Eco-Cultural Tourism Project aimed to promote Bandipur as a sustainable eco-
cultural destination, with the potential to extend visitors' length of stay in Nepal. The project
focused on revitalizing, protecting, and promoting the town's existing infrastructure and
programs, and also restored traditional buildings and repaired historic locations to attract
tourists. The project also provided employment opportunities and training for locals in
restoration skills.

Protecting cultural values for economic improvement

The principal objective of this project was to build on the existing programmes and
infrastructure of Bandipur to develop it as a sustainable eco-cultural tourism centre with a
network of similar hill towns to revitalize, protect, and promote their cultural and natural
resources with programmes that have replication values. This project had four main targets:
To develop and promote Bandipur as a tourist destination with links to neighboring similar
settlements.
To enhance, upgrade, and conserve the built and natural environment of Bandipur.
To support local enterprises and revitalize economic activities:
Promote this network of settlements in Asia Urbs partner countries in Asia and Europe.
CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 04

1. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
The initiative focused on both conservation and commercial
development in tourism-related infrastructure in Bandipur.
As the number of tourists to Bandipur increases, the
existing infrastructure will be strained.
The project restored traditional buildings as demonstration
projects to prevent their loss, encourage house restoration
and adaptive reuse, and prevent unsympathetic
developments invading the town.
Local youth were trained in restoration skills and given
employment opportunities, while homeowners were
involved in the restoration of guesthouses to ensure their
maintenance and operation.
Visitors' desire for traditional buildings for lodging has
increased the value of architectural resources that were
previously considered high-maintenance and expensive.
Other tourism locations, such as the historic parade field
Tundikhel, were also repaired and restored.
The project repaved the main bazaar area, which had been a
contentious issue, with the condition of local contribution
for future maintenance and care.
Locals contributed materials and labor, and each household
paid for the space, increasing their sense of ownership and
leading to consensus to make the bazaar vehicle-free.
The paving has initiated further economic activities, such as
parking areas and cafes/restaurants opening up, providing
more economic opportunities and employment.
CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 05

2. HUMAN RESOURCES AND CAPACITY

BUILDING
The project aims to encourage local participation in
decision-making about their region's development and
serve as an example for replication in other parts of the
country.
Trainings, workshops, and awareness programs were
conducted to encourage women and children's participation
in project activities.
The trainings and awareness programs focused on natural
and cultural heritage conservation, environmental
protection, and tourism.
Local user groups were responsible for executing the
construction work under the project's technical supervision.
User group members received training on small project
management and resource mobilization.
Training was provided in masonry, carpentry, electricity,
plumbing, and rainwater collection, resulting in the
development of local workforce and self-employment
opportunities.
The importance of cultural heritage and the environment, as
well as their preservation, were emphasized during the
course.
Local wildlife, flora, culture, architecture, and social
structures were studied and will serve as a significant
resource for future research.
Rare orchids, with 23 species found, were specifically
highlighted.
CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 06

3. TOURISM PROMOTION AND

PUBLICATIONS
The project aims to promote Bandipur as a new tourism
destination both domestically and internationally.
The rising domestic tourism sector is the target audience
for this marketing strategy, with its convenient location
from Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan.
The project's success is determined by its long-term
benefits to the local community and economy, as well as
their active engagement in the process.
The project includes local User Groups constituted for
specific tasks, with representation from the majority of the
population, giving the local community a "sense of
ownership" of the operation.
The project began with a Tourism Strategy Workshop that
identified Bandipur's needs and potentials, as well as the
resources required.
The number of day and overnight visitors to Bandipur has
increased, resulting in more economic activity for
individuals directly involved in the tourism industry, such as
lodge and restaurant proprietors.
Increased tourism will result in additional job opportunities
as well as a demand for new services and enterprises such
as laundry services, local guides, and handicraft shops.
The new paving, which prohibits automobiles from entering
the main bazaar, has provided employment options for
porters, one of Bandipur's poorest and most marginalized
communities.
CASE OF BANDIPUR PAGE 07

CONCLUSION
The Bandipur Eco-Cultural Tourism Project in Nepal aims to identify
potential tourist destinations and engage the local population to create
long-term strategies that allow for growth while still protecting natural
and cultural resources. The project has created infrastructure, training
programs, and a network to ensure sustainable tourism activities. Rural
tourism development in Nepal benefits the government and local
population by preserving natural and cultural resources and promoting
the identity of the place and people.