CONSERVATION THREATS




espite its biological richness and natural beauty, Nepal faces some of the most serious conservation threats besetting any nation in the world today. Poverty and a rapidly growing population are the root causes of most of these problems. Nepal is classified by the United Nations as one of the least developed countries, and the burgeoning population is beginning to exceed the carrying capacity of the country's arable land. Pristine lowland jungles were cleared for development infrastructure such as roads, power and irrigation systems. Hill people attracted by better economic opportunities, migrated in resettlement programmes. As a result, populations of rhinoceros, tiger, and elephant have been gravely threatened.

Between 1975 and 1980, 15 per cent of Nepal's remaining forests were destroyed, due mainly to demand for fuelwood, fodder, and agricultural development. If left unprotected, Nepal's forests may disappear completely within a few decades.

In recent years, toxic residue from chemical pesticides has been compounding the problems, diminishing fertility, threatening health, and infecting water supplies. Air and water pollution from vehicle emissions and industrial waste has become acute in the Kathmandu Valley, not only adversely affecting the health of inhabitants but also threatening tourism.




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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature