Search results

Ensuring adequate access to food to all has remained a major challenge of the 21^st century. To aid the effort of hunger alleviation, many studies have quantified the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU), mostly at the national level. There has been limited attention to understanding the intra-country variation in undernourishment estimates.

Unlike past studies, this study tracks the substantial regional heterogeneity in the undernourishment status within Nepal. Employing Food and Agriculture Organization's methodology and Nepal Living Standards Survey data from 1995, 2003 and 2011, household energy consumption and requirements are computed to determine regional undernourishment.

Nepal's PoU declined between 1995 and 2003 but increased after 2003 affecting approximately 7.6 million Nepalese in 2011. The Terai domain – Provinces 2 and 5 – are found to be the most vulnerable to undernourishment concerns likely because of economic and natural shocks. Province 4 achieved higher progress in alleviating undernourishment during 2003, but its PoU doubled in 2011 (as in Province 6).

By examining where and how many are undernourished within Nepal, this study has provided a more accurate picture of the PoU for better-targeting assistance to improve the livelihood of its citizens.

Past studies indicate substantial variation in food access and PoU within Nepal. While they provide some answers to “where and how many” questions for some districts, provinces, belts and urban/rural domains at the cross-sectional level (or for selected locales), few have examined intra-Nepal heterogeneity, especially over time. Therefore, this study explores where and how many within Nepal have been undernourished during the past three decades.

The North East India region is known for its rich cultural diversity and pristine landscapes, and has witnessed a growing tourism industry but has maintained its sustainability. This research explores the paradigm of sustainable tourism of five tourist destinations in North East India. Through an extensive literature review and comprehensive case study method, the research discusses the successes and lessons learned from the implementation of sustainable tourism practices in North East India, shedding light on the region’s unique socio-economic and environmental challenges. It also compares the sustainability model of North East India and the rest of India. The study identifies successful models through five cases that have contributed to the growth of responsible tourism while minimising negative impacts. The research also evaluates the effectiveness of sustainable tourism strategies in preserving local cultures, protecting biodiversity, and fostering community engagement. Upon comparison of the sustainable development model of North East India with the rest of India, it was found that North East India is better on the aspects of cultural preservation, environmental conservation, community involvement, mass tourism and infrastructure, government policies, biodiversity, and unique attractions. The lessons learned from challenges encountered during the implementation of sustainable tourism provide insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local communities. This research thus offers valuable lessons and implications for similar regions grappling with balancing tourism growth and environmental conservation.