With an aim to better introduce local environment and other sustainability issues to our trainees of the three-month Nature Guide Ecotourism English Training program, the Pendeba Society took a local study tour to the heartland of Mt. Everest region in Gangga Town on January 20, 2011. 25 participants went on this one-day tour, among whom 10 were women.

Before the study tour began, Mr. Tsering Norbu, Executive Director of the Pendeba Society, gave a vivid introduction of local geographical settings and environmental conservation to all the trainees in the exhibition hall of the Pendeba Society Training Center. By observing topographical sand modes, the trainees gained a visual idea and due knowledge of what their living surroundings were and became familiarized with the visiting site of the next day’s study tour.

After three hours’ driving, we stopped at the Snow Leopard Guest House where our trainees were introduced with some general hospitality manners. The manager of the guest house first led us to a meeting room to give a brief introduction of their guest house and then further developed some knowledge that a good attendant working in a guest house was supposed to have. Then we were guided to a standard double room where the manager introduced to our trainees some basic work and skills in room service. 

[img_assist|nid=76|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=372]From November 19^th to 29^th 2010, the QNNP Pendeba Society organized a study tour for both local government officials and villagers to the Shangri-La area in Yunnan Province and other parts of inland China. This ten-day study tour aimed to expose concerned participants to and learn locally-based knowledge and best practices of ecological tourism development and management, and how to raise local income by way of participating and experiencing in eco-tourism activities. Led by the director of the Pendeba Society, Tesring Norbu, the tour was grouped by a total of nine participants from Tingri County Government and local village representatives who will be joining the upcoming Nature Guide Training Program in December.

During the tour, the participants had very productive and informative conversations with government officials from Shanri-La County and County Tourism Bureau as well as local villagers who have been actively involved in eco-tourism development and management activities. Escorted and guided by local government officials and villagers, the group had the chance to visit a number of different places and project sites that portray a vivid sustainable tourism picture in the region.

[img_assist|nid=59|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=300|height=182]The Pendeba Society is pleased to announce the launch of a new seven-month training program with generous funding from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The goals of the program are to help reduce local poverty and to increase local capacity by providing practical job skills training to women and men as needed by the communities.

The “Eco-Tourism Training Program” is designed as an intensive program that will provide vocational training to 65 women and men from the QNNP. The new Pendebas will receive new knowledge and skills through attending classes, industry networking events, and local study. The Pendeba Society also intends to build a network for community-based ecotourism operators in the QNNP.

Moreover participants will be recommended to join either intensive English language training for nature-guides or hospitality training . Courses will be taught by expert-related departments from local government, practitioners from the eco-tourism industry & relevant institutions, and Pendeba Society staff.

This Fund will also be used to create a permanent exhibition corridor for eco-tourism in the QNNP where locals can display the work of the Pendeba Society and partners.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the strong support from Qomolangma National Nature Preserve Management Bureau and Foreign Affairs Office of the Shigatse Prefecture Government. A special thanks goes to the kind support from our volunteers.

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Since May 6^th, 26 women from three towns in Dingri County have participated in “Pendeba” training, a training designed to educate locally elected village leaders on key health issues, the environment and sustainable development. On Saturday, May 8^th, Doctor Cirendawa from the local village clinic gave an introductory speech on women’s health, focusing on disease prevention and treatment. The morning workshop consisted of small group discussions and a question and answer session. Participants engaged enthusiastically in discussions and shared their personal experiences, as the topics related closely to their everyday lives.    

On May 9^th, Mr. Cirenduobujie of the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (QNNP) Dingri Branch discussed management and protection of the Preserve. Mr. Cirenduonongjie hopes that when Pendebas return to their villages that they will be proactive, take responsibility for protecting the environment, and cooperate with the local government to educate others on the importance of conservation. He emphasized that environmental protection is not only the responsibility of the government, but of everyone living in the QNNP area.