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indefi nite period and does not degrade or alter the environment in any
way that might prohibit the successful development and wellbeing of
other activities and processes'' (UNESCAP 2001). Sustainability principles
refer to the environmental, economic, and sociocultural aspects of tourism
development, sustainable mountain tourism should:
1. Optimize use of natural resources while at the same time maintaining
ecological processes and helping conservation of biodiversity,
2. Promote respect for the socio-cultural authenticity of host mountain
communities, conserve cultural heritage and traditional values, and
3. Contribute to poverty alleviation.
Sterly (1997) noted that one of the major challenges faced in the
development of mountain tourism was to exploit it in such a way that it
benefi ts mountain people and their environments while at the same time
satisfying needs of tourists. Mountain tourism needs to be sustainable
(Mburu 2010). As Lane (2005) observes, people and local ownership of
tourism are at the core of sustainable tourism. Mountain people are the
stewards of mountain ecosystems and any decision to develop mountain
tourism must be made with their involvement and agreement.
Sustainable mountain tourism can take many forms such as ecotourism,
community-based tourism, adventure tourism and nature based tourism
among others (Maraudos et al. 2006). Mt. Kenya has great potential for
the development of cultural tourism. This is mainly due to cultural values
attributed to the mountain by all the various groups of people living
around the forest. The mountain has been considered as the abode of the
Kikuyu, Meru and Embu god named 'Ngai' or 'Murungu'. Mt. Kenya forest
therefore, provides an important location for religion and other rituals for
the local people. Prayers and rituals are carried out in several sacred areas
in the forests in time of need, such as to bring rain and bless the community
(Gathaara 1999). In recent times, the mountain has acquired new historical
signifi cance because the 'Mau Mau' war of independence was fought in
its forest. The recognition has been done through the gazettement of 'Mau
Mau' caves as historical sites under the National Museums of Kenya Act
(Kariuki 2005).
It should also be borne in mind that many national parks and game
reserves created in different parts of the country including Mt. Kenya, are
surrounded by resentful people because their own land was expropriated for
wildlife conservation. This left them without suffi cient land for cultivation
or grazing their livestock. To bridge the gap between local communities and
wildlife and thereby minimize human-wildlife confl ict, the govenment has
encouraged the development of ecotourism projects throughout the country
(Ngunyi 2009). Ecotourism was defi ned by the International Ecotourism
Society in 1991 as: ''responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the
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