The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among biodiversity conservation,
livelihood improvements, and tourism development using the appreciative inquiry
approach as a research tool. The research was conducted in three different buffer-zone communities
representing different levels of tourism development around Chitwan National
Park, Nepal. The results indicate that tourism helps change local people’s attitudes toward
the conservation of biodiversity and reduce people’s dependence on natural resources. Tourism,
particularly small-scale and locally owned ecotourism ventures, is also identified as a tool
to enhance the livelihoods of people around protected areas. The linkages, however, vary
with the level of tourism development. This study also developed a framework to help understand
these linkages.