Introduction

Community development includes programs that work to strengthen and support communities by addressing problems in areas like culture, the economy, and the environment. Participatory and joint process traditionally means that people in the community contribute, plan, carry out, and maintain development projects that are meant to improve their overall standard of life (Wangchuk, 2022). Indigenous community development programs have unique challenges because they have to protect the cultures of groups that have been historically disadvantaged. Protecting culture, language, and practices is a major part of indigenous community development that goes beyond economic growth.

Introduction of indigenous community project

A heritage preservation and eco-tourism program is the focal point of a case study of the Brokpa, an intersection of the Merak and Sakteng in eastern Bhutan, which seeks to save their distinct way of life. Brokpas were semi-nomadic indigenous individuals noted for their pastoral customs and yak husbandry. The concept blends ecotourism and preserves culture to provide tourists an unforgettable understanding of Brokpa customs, ceremonies, and lifestyles while offering economic prospects for the community.

Value of indigenous community

A prime example of the fruition of indigenous peoples' rights campaigns is the ecotourism and cultural preservation program in the Brokpa settlements of Sakteng and Merak. It shows how long-term economic strategy may preserve culture, strengthen communities, encourage environmental responsibility, and combat modernism and the loss of culture. The Brokpa people of Merak and Sakteng, eastern Bhutan, are the focus of this study. Semi-nomadic highlanders the Brokpas struggle with transformation, economic isolation, and culture preservation (Dey, 2022). The case study will examine a community-led initiative that promotes ecotourism and security measures Brokpa culture and customs. This initiative is important because it preserves traditions and meets economic demands. Indigenous tribes seek this equilibrium as they expand. This initiative teaches how to build a community by integrating Brokpa in setting goals and maintaining their culture.

Body

Background of the Indigenous Community (Brokpa Community)

A small but well-known ethnic group in Bhutan, the Brokpas call the remote mountain towns of Merak and Sakteng in the Trashigang region home. The Brokpas have traditionally been semi-nomadic herders who get their food from animals, especially yaks (Karst, 2022). Their language such as Brokpake, religious practices, clothing, and holidays are all part of their own special culture. Even though the Brokpa group has a rich cultural history, they have had a challenging time because they live in a rural area with limited access to infrastructure and more and more people want them to join the modern Bhutanese economy (Dorji, 2020). The Brokpas live in a remote area, and modernisation has caused problems like young people leaving, the loss of native knowledge, and weak economies. Thereby, related to these issues, there have been a number of development projects aimed at protecting their culture while offering them stable ways to make a living. One of these is the work being done to make ecotourism more sustainable in Merak and Sakteng.

Issues or aspiration addressed by the project

The Merak and Sakteng eco-tourism effort addresses economic segregation, youth emigration, and cultural deterioration among Brokpa. Due to limited access to modern infrastructure and markets, several Brokpas struggled to secure sustainable livelihoods, leading younger generations to leave the community in search of better opportunities. Modernisation also threatened their language, culture, and pastoral lifestyle (Karst, 2022). The concept uses eco-tourism to help the Brokpas live in their communities and preserve their culture. It promotes environmental stewardship by linking tourism to sustainable use of the region's resources.

Outline of the project

The Merak and Sakteng eco-tourism program promotes sustainable tourism by promoting Brokpa festivities, handicrafts, and pastoral techniques. Homestays, cultural performances, and treks are offered while creating economic possibilities, teaching tourist management, and protecting the environment and indigenous customs.

Community involvement

In developing and executing the eco-tourism initiative, the Brokpa community is heavily involved. Locals guide, host, and perform indigenous music and dance (Karst, 2022). In order to keep the initiative community-driven and for the benefit of local livelihoods, they are also trained in hospitality and tourism management.

Community development characteristics

The eco-tourism initiative shows community development principles including participatory planning, economic empowerment through sustainable livelihoods, and the preservation of culture through traditional customs (Karst, 2022). It fosters social unity and environmental responsibility, assuring growth that aligns with community values and long-term autonomous goals.

Lessons learned from the project

The experiment shows that community ownership improves sustainability and cultural preservation in development projects. Eco-tourism may strengthen indigenous people while preserving their identities and traditions, demonstrating the need of combining economic expansion with environmental care and cultural integrity.

Impact of young people and cultural connection

Young people develop pride and identity by engaging with their cultural heritage via the eco-tourism initiative. Traditional and tourist activities encourage youth to stay in their local area, strengthening intergenerational relationships and cultural continuity.

Fundings sources of external support

The Merak and Sakteng eco-tourism initiative is funded by government funds for environmentally friendly growth, international NGOs for indigenous rights, and responsible travel organizations (Karst, 2022). These external assistances provide essential resources for training, creation of infrastructure, and advertising endeavors that benefit the Brokpa community.

Distinct practices and cultural significance

Traditional yak herding, Yakchoe, and colourful attire are important Brokpa traditions. These practises foster communal identity, resilience, and a deep pastoral historical link. Ecotourism helps travellers learn and interact with Brokpa culture.

Eco-Tourism Development Project in Merak and Sakteng

The ecotourism project in Merak and Sakteng was set up by the local people with help from government agencies, grassroots organisations, and foreign development groups. The main goal of the project is to use the area's natural beauty and cultural diversity to promote ecotourism. This will give the locals another way to make earnings and protect their unique cultural heritage (Millar & Tenzing, 2021). The idea for this project came about because the Brokpas were having trouble with their finances and there were never many job opportunities for young individuals, so many of them moved to cities. It aims to keep the Brokpas in their towns by giving them economic reasons to do so and encouraging them to keep living the way they always have in various stages. The ecotourism plan includes teaching the Brokpa people how to be successful hosts, building routes for hiking in Merak and Sakteng, and having guests experience other cultures through homestays and cultural shows (Wangdi et al., 2023). Moreover, it uses the area's natural beauty and cultural history to assist the Brokpa find work. Eastern Bhutan's isolated highlands host this project. It promotes hiking paths in Merak and Sakteng, unspoiled scenery and Bhutanese culture using a stay at their traditional festivals, and handcrafted handicrafts to attract tourists (Karst & Nepal, 2022)). Teaching community members how to host, manage, and handle tourists while preserving the Brokpas' culture offers new revenue streams. This initiative prioritises environmental protection to prevent visitors from harming Brokpas habitats. It also encourages the community to share its unique events, immigration, and lifestyle with guests to boost cultural identity. This will balance economic growth and cultural preservation.

Project Impact on the Brokpa Community

The ecotourism project has had a huge impact on the Brokpa neighbourhood. It has opened new job possibilities, especially for young women and girls who have been trained to work as tour guides, in tourism administration, and in hotel services. The youth movement's problems have been alleviated because this has provided members a means of subsistence in their own neighbourhoods. The project has helped the Brokpas connect with their past more deeply (Samdrup & Yangzom, 2021). There is a market for Brokpa cultural artefacts since tourists are welcome to participate in local festivals, traditional dances, and craft creation. Tshis has made individuals within the community want to bring back and protect old ways of doing things that were in fear of going out into the world.

Community Involvement

The active participation of the Brokpa group is a key part of the project's success. A lot of various individuals from the community have helped make choices about the project. The conservation project is expanding with the help of local leaders, community groups for women, and neighbourhood organisations (Gurung et al., 2022). The amount of involvement from the community makes sure that the undertaking meets the needs and wants of the intended audience. Stakeholders from both inside and outside of the country have said they like this concept. The Bhutanese government has made it easier to get to Merak and Sakteng by improving the roads that lead there. The individuals who live there have also been given training by NGOs (DORJI et al., 2022). International groups like the United Nations Development Program have helped by providing resources and suggestions, which has rendered it easy for the idea to spread all over the world.

Why This Project is an Example of Community Development

The indigenous, semi-nomadic Brokpas of eastern Bhutan are central to this effort, as they actively guide progress (Bargohain & Thinley, 2022). Their participation ensures that the initiative meets the community's needs rather than being forced. Real community progress requires this type of participation because it promotes local ownership of decisions and actions. This initiative focuses on ecotourism, a long-term economic growth strategy. Ecotourism preserves the Brokpa way of life by protecting the natural environment. Besides the alpine pastoral lifestyle, the area's wildlife attracts visitors. The initiative promotes eco-tourism. Thus, the project avoids mass tourism's environmental consequences. Communities desire for the protection of their property and the environment while generating revenue through tourism (Tsheten et al., 2023). Ecotourism fits here. Sustainability in community initiatives focuses on achieving a balance between environmental care and economic growth.

Ecotourism also preserves and promotes Brokpa culture. Indigenous societies worldwide are under strain from globalisation, urban migration, and contemporary consequences that threaten traditional ways of life. Furthermore, since their culture, language, and festivals are related to rural life, the Brokpas value national identity. Ecotourism honours these practices through cultural performances, homestays, and the sale of traditional handicrafts (Bodt, 2020). Moreover, it provides tourists with a comprehensive cultural experience, benefits the economy and promotes Brokpa heritage. The increasing focus on culture improves group identification and social cohesiveness, which helps communities develop.

Project aims to assist communities become financially independent. The Brokpas were economically isolated since their settlements were cut off from marketplaces and other services. Ecotourism enables women and young people skilled in tourist administration, guides, and hospitality a new opportunity to generate profits (Tshering, 2022). This keeps communities cohesive and enables the next generation to preserve their cultural traditions by limiting youth migration to cities for jobs. It boosts the community's economy and provides people a chance to generate a living that fits their lifestyle. The Merak and Sakteng ecotourism project provides economic, cultural, and environmental benefits to the Brokpa individuals, demonstrating community development. The project allows the community at the core of making decisions and ensures their input shapes progress. Economic progress, environmental protection, and community culture history are promoted. A fair plan assures long-term success (Joshi et al., 2020).

Key Lessons on Community Development Practice

• A shared ownership structure is essential. Externally pushed projects occasionally fail to engage the Brokpas, but the collaborative technique has ensured their commitment (Tobgay & Mahavik, 2020).
• The initiative emphasises the long-term importance of protecting the region's cultural and environmental assets. Indigenous people can benefit from modern commercial opportunities while preserving their culture and natural resources through ecotourism (Leki et al., 2020).
• Thirdly, the program prioritises external organisations supporting community-led growth. The Brokpa community, NGOs, and international groups collaborate. This highlights how important it is for community development programs to incorporate many groups to be successful and expandable.
• Indigenous communities throughout the world are being urged to modernise while preserving their unique identities, therefore this is of utmost importance to communities.
• The study illustrates how group growth may combine both traditional and novel concepts. Modern visitors and traditional lifestyles are mixed at Brokpa ecotourism. This allows people to participate in the global economy while preserving their traditions (Keenan et al., 2023).

Distinct Cultural Practices in Brokpa Eco-Tourism

The visitors to Merak and Sakteng can learn about the unique Brokpa culture by participating in ecotourism activities. Brokpa apparel is known for its yak hair headdresses and brilliantly coloured woven outfits. In addition to being beautiful, these traditional clothing express the Brokpa individuals' tenacity and feeling of self, linking them to their very difficult mountainous environment of thousands of years (Dendup et al., 2024). The Brokpa culture and lengthy history are reflected in these vibrant costumes, which astound foreigners.

Ecotourism visitors can see and hear traditional music and dances at local festivals like Yakchoe. These presentations allow visitors to experience the community's festivities, customs, and religious activities. The Brokpa celebrate Yakchoe. Their gods are revered and the welfare of their animals, particularly yaks, is closely observed because of the paramount importance of these creatures to their culture. These cultural events make people laugh and preserve traditional arts that are threatened by change (Keenan et al., 2023). Moreover, the ecotourism teaches visitors the Brokpa's distinct culinary traditions, which are influenced by high altitude life. Yak milk, butter, cheese, and other dairy products are vital to Brokpa cuisine. Thereby, via seeing how these objects are manufactured can teach visitors about the village's decades-old farming techniques. The concept emphasizes wild alpine herbs and plants in local cuisine. This demonstrates that the community relies on sustainable food and is conscious of its environment. The ecotourism experience includes Brokpa culture. This shows tourists their lifestyle. Traditional clothes, celebration displays, and native culinary ways make the journey more pleasurable and preserve the Brokpa's distinctive identity. Cultural preservation is key to ecotourism success. Since it produces employment and preserves community heritage.

Conclusion

The current study deals with the ecotourism project in Merak and Sakteng is a great example of how to help indigenous communities develop while also protecting their culture. Due to the project involving a lot of residents and concentrating on sustainability and traditional integrity, it can be used as a blueprint for other Indigenous groups facing similar problems. The main idea of this study is how necessary it is to have community-driven programs that channelise indigenous people to choose their paths of growth while nevertheless maintaining their own identities. An approach to community development that respects Indigenous peoples' beliefs and traditions is proposed in this research, which sheds light on how to balance modern economic opportunities with thepreservation of cultural and natural heritage.

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