Nepal 's government structure has a
constitutional monarchy where people exercise right of adult
franchise. The executive, legislative and judiciary bodies
function and exercise their rights independently. There is two
tier system of legislation, the upper house, called the Rastriya
Sabha, consists of 60 members and the Lower House, called the
Pratinidhi Sabha is the house of Representatives for which
members are elected from 205 electoral constituency distributed
in 75 districts of the country. The elected Prime Minister heads
the government. There are 14 Administrative zones. Kathmandu the biggest city is the capital.
The most densely populated area is the Terai plains that make up 23.1% of the total land area and support 48.5% of the population. The hill region make up the largest surface area (41.7%) and supports 44.2% of the population. 85% of the people live in rural areas and 42% live below the national poverty line with the rural areas disproportionately bearing this burden. The main four urban centres are the valleys in the hills region - Kathmandu , Pokhara, Trishuli, and Banepa.
The economy in terms of foreign exchange to subsistence is heavily reliant on agriculture, forestry and fishing and employs upto 80% of the workforce. The second major contributor to the GDP is the service sector with the second largest foreign exchange earner being tourism. Tourism has increased employment opportunities and income diversification, with natural heritage being one of the key attractions.
Population and Development Trends:
Source:
UNDP Human Development Report,
2007/2008
Major Environmental Problems
Deforestation
In Nepal forests are the 2 nd largest resource base after water. At present only 29% of the total land area in Nepal is forested. Annual deforestation rate is 2.3% in the hills and 1.3% in the Terai plains. High population growth has been the main cause of deforestation due to conversion of land for agriculture, settlements, infrastructure, and grazing of livestock. The reliance on fuelwood for energy and extraction of forest products (fodder, leaf, litter etc) has resulted in degradation of forests. Illicit felling and the transboundary timber trade are also causes of deforestation. Deforestation has increased land degradation, reduced forest stock, reduced habitats and biodiversity. It has also increased vulnerability to natural disasters and has increased the concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Soil
Degradation
It covers both soil erosion and soil deterioration. Due to the topography of Nepal , tectonic activities, monsoons and river flows natural erosion processes are inherent. Landslides and floods are common. This is accelerated by human-induced changes in landscapes due to agriculture, human settlements and infrastructure. Lack of alternatives for the increasing population has continued the reliance on natural resources thereby causing deforestation, intensified cultivation, extension of agriculture to marginalized areas and steep slopes, and overgrazing that has increased soil erosion, depleted soil fertility and the productive capacity of the land. Soil erosion has further led to the deposition of sediment in tanks and reservoirs that has reduced storage capacity and increased flooding and landslides, and loss of arable land in low lying areas.
Solid
waste
Nepal has the highest rate of urbanisation (5% per annum) in South Asia . In Nepal urbanisation has been a recent trend that has taken place rapidly in a uncontrolled and haphazard manner. It has resulted in adding new issues to Nepal 's environmental and development problems. The problem is most severe in Nepal's cities that have to deal with increased amounts of solid waste generated by its expanding populations, overcrowded cities, changing consumption patterns, use of new materials (like plastics) and increased industrialisation. This has resulted in air and water pollution, health risks and adding to general deterioration of the cities. 85% of Nepal 's waste is solid waste, generated mainly by households while waste from hospitals, agriculture (pesticides, fertilizer), and industries make up the rest. Hazardous waste is mainly disposed of with all other waste (dumping or incinerators) or stockpiled without adequate safety measures thereby adding to the problems and risks of solid waste management.
Water
Pollution
Nepal 's main water supply sources are rivers and ground water. Water pollution is caused mainly by dumping of solid waste into rivers, industries using water bodies for discharging effluents, untreated sewage disposal and runoff from intensive agriculture. Increased water withdrawals due to increased populations and industrialisation, reduced recharging capacity due to deforestation and urbanisation is adding pressure on the water sources. Inappropriately located and constructed infrastructure and the poor maintenance of water resources infrastructure is also increasing natural risks such as landslides and floods and also increasing water pollution. The quality of water is poorer close to urban centres, but effects of lessening quality and quantity of water is felt in most parts of Nepal (in remote areas water quality and quantity are still at acceptable levels). Deteriorating water quality has increased health risks including deaths due to water borne diseases as well as threats aquatic fauna and flora.
Air
Pollution
Again this is also a problem that has worsened due to urbanisation. Energy sources - from the traditional (fuelwood) to modern (petroleum, coal) are the main sources of green house gases. The rapid increase in vehicles and therefore vehicular emissions is another factor. Of the industries in Nepal , 75% were classified as emitting air pollutants - 33% of them are in Kathmandu . The impacts have been increased health risks especially respiratory ailments. Residents in mountainous regions are more susceptible to respiratory diseases due to the burning of fuelwood in poorly ventilated houses while Urban dwellers are at higher risks due to greater pollution in and around cities. In addition most urban centres are in valleys thereby retaining the pollution in the atmosphere.
Chronology
of Major Events leading to Environment Protection & Sustainable
Development, during the last two decades. |
1985 |
In the Five Year Plan (1985-1990),
environment was considered as a distinct component. |
1988 |
The National Conservation Strategy
was prepared with the intention to ensure sustainable use,
preservation of cultural aspects and biological diversity. |
1990 - 91 |
The Constitution of the Kingdom
of Nepal gave priority and emphasised the protection of
the environment with provisions and laws enacted thereafter.
The Natural Resources and Environment Committee was set
up in the parliament to serve as an evaluation body of
policies, programmes, resources and administration of issues
related to environment in collaboration with relevant ministries. |
1992 |
The Environment Protection
Council (EPC) was established to formulate and implement
environmental activities. After which several international
conventions have been signed including the CBD, Climate
change conventions. Local level standards etc have also
been enacted. |
1995 |
The EIA was made mandatory
any major development projects. |
1996-97 |
The Environment Protection
Act and Environment Protection Rules institutionalised
the EIA, pollution control, management of conservation
areas, funds etc. |
1998 |
At local levels the Self-Governance
Act gave over environmental functions to District and Village
Development Councils to handle local level planning, conservation,
land use and pollution control activities. |
Some legal instruments:
Other Important Legislations in relation to environment protection
Plant Protection Act, (1972);
Royal Chitwan National Park Regulation, (1974);
Soil and Watershed Conservation Act, (1982)
King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation Act, (1982)
Pesticide Act (1992)
Forest Regulations, (1994)
Buffer Zone management rules (1996)
Hygiene; Consumer Protection Act, (1997)
Livestock health and services rules (1999)
Government managed conservation area rules
(2000)
