Who are Gurung people?
The Gurung (Tamu) is one out of 59 indigenous Nationalities of Nepal recognized by the Government of Nepal by the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) Act, 2002. According to the Population Census of 2001, the population of the Gurungs is 543,571 consisting 2.43% of the total population of Nepal standing at 23,151,423.
The Gurungs were originally nomadic hunters, and engaged in highland pastoralism. It now has the highest percentage of migration among the ethnic groups of Nepal. This is due to the scarcity of food, economic imbalance, and the environmental pressures in the high hills. In order to cope with the situation, a big number of Gurungs migrated to different parts of Nepal including the low lands of Terai. Thus the pastoral native Gurungs are found to be flexible. Presently, the main occupation of the Gurung community is agriculture followed by animal husbandry.
The Gurung community has its own separate identity due to its unique culture. The Gurungs predominantly practice ancient Bon religion, which is shamanistic and animistic in nature, similar to the pre-Buddhist Bon religion of Tibet. The Gurungs later came to adopt the Tibetan Buddhism. The establishment of Gurung organizations did not take momentum until the 1990s due to the undemocratic administrative policy of the country. However, such organizations did exist in the 1950s as evidenced by the Gurung Welfare Associations among others. It was mainly due to the two People's Movements of 1990 AD and 2003 AD that the people understood the rights of the ethnic minorities, the dalits, women and children and the marginalized people. The Gurungs were no exception and soon a number of such awareness-oriented ethnic organizations were established after the two People's Movements. With the backdrop of a changed political scenario after the declaration of Nepal as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in 2008 AD, the Tamus now see an urgent need to stand united and forge ahead with one voice to carve a niche for themselves if they are to get a good berth in the new Nepal, and at the same time, uphold the high ideals set by our forefather.
Gurung Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association, Nepal (GTEAN)
Objectives of GTEAN: (about us)
- Develop and promote mountain tourism in Nepal.
- Contribute to preserve the mountain environment of Nepal.
- Contribute for the uplift of mountain economy of Nepal.
- Preserve the rights and promote member trekking, Rafting and Travel agencies.
- Extend to the best of its ability, help, cooperate and advice individuals interested in mountain adventures in Nepal.
- Make a wide search of the new trails, river rafting spots and modern technology ticketing system. Search feasible saleable regions for trekking/tours and help the Government of Nepal and for its further development.
- Regularize the facilities provided by member trekking agencies to their staff, including porters.
- Provide necessary opinions and advise government for the formulation of the rules and regulations related to mountain tourism and facilities and incentives to be provided to trekking, travel and rafting agencies.
- Promote mountain tourism in collaboration with various government and semi-government bodies, domestic and international NGOs as well as cooperate with tourism related various umbrella organizations. .
- Cooperate with national and international organizations dealing with trekking and mountaineering training for the formulation of practical courses of study.
- Work on responsible and sustainable tourism
- Award and reward to our member agencies for their best performance in tourism industry
- Actively participate with various tourism umbrella organization for national and international tourism activities
Activities
The GTEAN conducts and participates in various activities in order to achieve its objectives. Some of these activities are of regular nature and the rest take place as and when necessary. The main regular activities of the association are as follows:
Promotional Activities
- To organize different meetings, conferences, seminars and talks programs on tourism among Gurung communities and other tourism umbrella organizations.
- To participate in tourism related fairs, marts and conferences within and outside the country.
- To submit advices/ suggestions on matters relating to tourism promotion to the Government of Nepal regularly and tourism related umbrella organizations if necessary.
- To publish and distribute complimentary copies of newsletter, member directory and other useful booklets pertaining to tourism.
- To establish cordial relations and exchange delegations with organizations of other countries.
- To support and recommend its members on promotional activities.
- Every year in Hindus festival (specially Diwali – Deusi Bhailo) and Buddhist festival (Lhosar) as well as in occasional national and community festival all committee members will participate and will have culture preserve, promotional and entertainment program in promotion of tourism.
Environmental Activities
- To organize training and workshop on environment awareness courses.
- To participate in and support government's World Environment Day program.
- To organize various environment conservation programs such as Forestation and Clean-up Program.
- To organize various student level competitions to raise environment awareness among them.
- To organize Talk Programs with the view to educate the concerned general public about the importance of tourism and maintenance of ecological balance. Talks are delivered by renowned experts on the subject.
- GTEAN T-shirts (with a slogan and logo for environmental awareness) are sold at the TAAN secretariat. Proceeds from the sales are used for conducting nature conservation activities.
Philanthropic Activities
- To raise and deliver the fund for the victims of various disasters like earthquake, land slide, flood etc.
- To assist people in distress by dispatching rescue teams to help at times of mishaps like bus, air and other accidents.
- To raise and deliver the fund for the maintenance of bridges and roads in trekking and rafting region. The association has a well- managed secretariat headed by the Executive Secretary. The secretariat is happy to provide information on trekking, mountaineering, rafting, package tour and other aspects of tourism.
