get interested in Nepal: June 2013

Sunday, June 9, 2013

The Himalayas

Himalayas, great mountain system of Asia forming a barrier between the Plateau of Tibet to the north and the alluvial plains of the Indian subcontinent to the south. The Himalayas include the highest mountains in the world, with more than 110 peaks rising to elevations of 24,000 feet (7,300 metres) or more above sea level. One of these peaks is Mount Everest (Tibetan: Chomolungma; Chinese: Qomolangma Feng; Nepali: Sagarmatha), the world’s highest, with an elevation of 29,035 feet (8,850 metres; see Researcher’s Note: Height of Mount Everest. The mountains’ high peaks rise into the zone of perpetual snow.For thousands of years the Himalayas have held a profound significance for the peoples of South Asia, as their literature, mythologies, and religions reflect. Since ancient times the vast glaciated heights have attracted the attention of the pilgrim mountaineers of India, who coined the Sanskrit name Himalaya—from hima (“snow”) and alaya (“abode”)—for this great mountain system. In contemporary times the Himalayas have offered the greatest attraction and the greatest challenge to mountaineers throughout the world.

Forming the northern border of the Indian subcontinent and an almost impassable barrier between it and the lands to the north, the ranges are part of a vast mountain belt that stretches halfway around the world from North Africa to the Pacific coast of Southeast Asia. The Himalayas themselves stretch uninterruptedly for about 1,550 miles (2,500 km) from west to east between Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet [8,126 metres]), in the Pakistani-administered portion of the Kashmir region, and Namjagbarwa (Namcha Barwa) Peak (25,445 feet [7,756 metres]), in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Between these western and eastern extremities lie the two Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan. The Himalayas are bordered to the northwest by the mountain ranges of the Hindu Kush and theKarakoram and to the north by the high Plateau of Tibet. The width of the Himalayas from south to north varies between 125 and 250 miles (200 and 400 km). Their total area amounts to about 230,000 square miles (595,000 square km).

Though India, Nepal, and Bhutan have sovereignty over most of the Himalayas, Pakistan and China also occupy parts of them. In the disputed Kashmir region, Pakistan has administrative control of some 32,400 square miles (83,900 square km) of the range lying north and west of the “line of control” established between India and Pakistan in 1972. China administers some 14,000 square miles (36,000 square km) in the Ladakh district of Kashmir and has claimed territory at the eastern end of the Himalayas within the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. These disputes accentuate the boundary problems faced by India and its neighbours in the Himalayan region.

Some economic overview of the country

Economy - overview

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with with about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for a little over one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of feasible capacity, but political instability hampers foreign investment. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$40.49 billion (2012 est.)
$38.7 billion (2011 est.)
$37.25 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.42 billion (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.6% (2012 est.)
3.9% (2011 est.)
4.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2012 est.)
$1,300 (2011 est.)
$1,200 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 38.1%
industry: 15.3%
services: 46.6% (2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2011 est.)

Labor force

18 million
note: severe lack of skilled labor (2009 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 75%
industry: 7%
services: 18% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

46% (2008 est.)
42% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.8 (2010)
47.2 (2008 est.)

Budget

revenues: $3.5 billion
expenditures: $4.7 billion (FY11/12)

Taxes and other revenues

18% of GDP (FY11/12)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.2% of GDP (FY11/12)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.3% (2012 est.)
7.7% (2011 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2010 est.)
6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8% (31 December 2012 est.)
8% (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of money

$2.53 billion (31 July 2009)
$2.106 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money

$2.983 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$2.884 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of quasi money

$7.49 billion (1 April 2009)
$6.99 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of broad money

$12.12 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$12.14 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.618 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$11.28 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.529 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$4.843 billion (31 December 2010)
$5.485 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Agriculture - products

pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat

Industries

tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production

Industrial production growth rate

2.9% (FY11/12)

Current Account Balance

$93 million (2012 est.)
$49 million (2011 est.)

Exports

$1 billion (2012 est.)
$998.9 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, pulses, carpets, textiles, juice, pashima, jute goods

Exports - partners

India 57.4%, US 9.6%, Germany 5.4% (2011)

Imports

$6.15 billion (2012 est.)
$5.665 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, machinery and equipment, gold, electrical goods, medicine

Imports - partners

India 57%, China 25.9% (2011)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.631 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$2.925 billion (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$3.774 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$3.673 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -
85.16 (2012 est.)
74.02 (2011 est.)
73.16 (2010 est.)
77.44 (2009)
65.21 (2008)

Fiscal year

16 July - 15 July

Nepal's natural resources

Nepal is a small country but it is rich in Natural Resources. These natural resources are the gifts of the nature. Some of the important natural resources of Nepal are: Forest, Water, Soil or Land.

FOREST

Forest is one of the important natural resources. Different types of forests are found in different regions of Nepal. It occupies about 37% of the total land of Nepal. Forest is the source of all wood-based industries. Industries like paper, furniture and timber are based on the forest. Forests are rich in herbs. The herbs have medicinal values. Many medicines are made from these herbs. Timber and herbs are valuable natural resources. The value of timber and herbs is very high in the world market.

There are many kinds of animals in the forests of Nepal. Forests provide food and shelter for these animals. Animals and birds add to the natural beauty of the country. People from many countries come to Nepal to see these beautiful birds and exotic wildlife. Many types of fruit and grasses grow in forests. People depend on them for their living and also to rear their livestock.

Forests support agriculture. It also causes rainfall. It keeps the soil tight. So, forests help control soil erosion, landslides and floods. Nepal government is trying to preserve forests. It has established many National Parks and Wildlife Reserves.

Green forest is the wealth of Nepal. Forest is the free gift of nature to human beings. Forest is a very important resource of Nepal. Forest provides wood, fuel, herbs etc. we get raw materials for fuel, raw materials for furniture, matches and paper. It influences climates, causes rain, stops flood, soil erosion and landslide. Forest is the habitat of wild animals. Tourists come to see wild animals and thus we can earn foreign currencies. Forest regulates the temperature of the surrounding areas. It is pleasant to live near forest. Villagers graze their cattle in the forests and they also get fodders for their cattle. We should preserve our forest and use it wisely.

WATER

Water is the most important natural resource of Nepal. Nepal is rich in water resource. Nature has been very kind to us by providing us with unlimited supply of water. Nepal is the second richest in the water resources in the world after Brazil.

Nepal is a landlocked country. So Nepal does not have access to the sea or oceans. But there are lots of rivers that flow from the Himalayas. When snow melts in the Himalayas, the glacier and rivers are formed. The rivers flow through the mountain regions to the Terai. The main rivers of Nepal are Mechi, Koshi, Narayani, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali. These rivers have several tributaries. In addition to these Kankai, Bagmati, Trishuli, Marshyangi, Seti, Rapti, Bheri and also important rivers of Nepal.

Lakes are also important sources of water. There are many lakes in Nepal. Rara lake is the largest. It is located in Mugu district. The second largest lake is the Phewa. It is in Pokhara, Kaski. Begnas and Rupa lakes are also in Pokhara. Lakes are usually large areas of water surrounded by land.

Phoksundo is the deepest lake of Nepal. It is located in Dolpa district. Tilicho is located at the highest altitude. It is in Manang district. Some famous lakes are Gosain Kunda (Rasuwa district) and Satyawati (Palpa district). Rivers and lakes together with other streams, ponds and underground water form water resources. These are important sources for the development of Nepal.

Water is used for many purposes. It is used for drinking and washing. It is used for irrigation. Irrigation is the lifeline for agriculture. Hydro-electricity is produced from fast flowing rivers. Many hydro-power stations have been built in Nepal to tap rivers for generating electricity.

The major hydro-electricity projects are:

Kaligandaki: 144MW
Marsyangdi: 75MW
Kulekhani I: 60MW
Bhote Koshi: 36MW
Khimti: 60MW
Kulekhani: 32MW

LAND/SOIL

Land is the other natural resource of Nepal. In Nepal most people depend on land. They do farming and earn their living from land. Land includes soil and minerals. The cultivable land in Nepal is about 17%. About 38% of the land is rocky and covered with snow.
Soil is an important factor for agriculture. It is not possible for people and animals to live on earth without soil. The land in Terai is very fertile. It is good for agriculture. So, the productivity of Terai is very high. The terai region is the storehouse of food grains. It is called the green belt of Nepal. There are many hills and mountains in Nepal. The surface is rugged and sloppy in the hills. When rainfall is heavy the top soilof the hills is washed away. Then it causes landslides. So, the trees should be planted and conserved to protect soil in the hills. Plants are the only means to hold the soil tightly and to stop erosion.

A variety of soils are available in Nepal. Nepal is an agricultural country. There is a great importance of soil here. Alluvial soil is found in abundance, which is very good for growing paddy, wheat, jute, oilseed, tobacco and sugarcane. Sandy and stony soil is found in inner Terai and Chure range. Soil is good for growing groundnut, coconut, palm, oilseeds, maize, potatoes, etc. Reddish grey soil is found in the hills of Mahabharat. This type of soil is good for potato, fruits, soyabean, tea and maize. Lacutrine soil is found in the valley. Its colour is black. It is good for the growth of green vegetables and food crops. In the Himalayan region the soil is not suitable for food and cash crops. The soil has less fertility so only buckwheat, barley, maize and potato can be grown.

MINERALS

Minerals like slate, stone, rock, coal, iron, copper, limestone, magnesite, mica and natural gas are natural resources. The marbles are made of rocks. Limestones are used in cement industries. Hetauda and Udaypur cement factories are the examples of such industries.

Nepal is quite rich in mineral resources. Mineral deposits such as gold, mica, limestone, iron ore, copper are found in different parts of Nepal. Because of financial constraint and lack of technical and skilled manpower, progress in the field of mining is negligible. If we utilize the mineral resources of Nepal properly, we can earn foreign currencies and people will get job opportunities also. The areas where minerals are found are as follows:

Copper: Buddha Khola (Bandipur), Gyari (Gorkha), Arghauli (Chisapani), Taplejung, Ilam, Baitadi, etc.
Iron: Ramechhap, Labdhi Khola, Pyuthan, Bhainse, Kulekhani, Bhutkhola, Phulchoki, Ghatkhola, etc.
Mica: Bhojpur, Chainpur, Lamjung, Dhankuta, Nuwakot, Sindhuligadhi, etc.
Limestone: Chovar (Kathmandu), Baise (Makawanpur), Udayapur .

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Some extra topics on beside the country

Hawking's description

Even some of the mEven some of the more faithful might have wondered over the last few days whether there truly is a God.

Famed physicist Stephen Hawking would like to help. Let's imagine there isn't, seems to be his preference.

Indeed, in a speech at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday night, he made jokes about God's supposed power and omnipresence.

"What was God doing before the divine creation? Was he preparing hell for people who asked such questions?" asked Hawking, clearly not afraid of meeting a reddish man with a fork and a tail.

Being a scientist, Hawking has faith only in scientific explanations.

As NBC News reports, he discounted a repeating Big Bang Theory (even though he's appeared on the show).

Instead, he thinks: "We are the product of quantum fluctuations in the very early universe."

I certainly feel like the product of quantum fluctuations on many days of the week, don't you?

As Hawking advances in years, God is clearly very central in his mind. As the L.A. Times observed, Hawking was asked what, besides his wheelchair, he would like to control.

"What I would really like to control is not machines, but people," he said. Which, some might observe, sounds God-like -- in a remarkably ungodly way.

Still, he believes contemporary religions are so suspicious of science that they actively discourage it.

He pointed to the very charming Pope John Paul II who, he said, tried to get the pesky scientists to stop wondering how the world was created, as this was a holy event.ore faithful might have wondered over the last few days whether there truly is a GodRather than a Black Holey event.

In the end, though, we live in a world whose end we know no better than its beginning. We live in the middle of it and still don't know what's going on.

We neither understand ourselves very well, nor the reasons others behave as they do. We stand and we stare, as humanity shows its many hues and its infinite number of whys.

Somehow, God or not God, scientists' musings seem as fascinating as they are irrelevant to our everyday lives.

In this speech, Hawking was moved to muse: "God really does play dice."

Hawking is a gambler too. He lost a $100 bet as to whether the so-called God Particle would ever be discovered.

Nothings going to keep us from searching, though, is it? It's the human condition.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Some common topics

Sedimentation and discharge of industrial effluents are prominent sources of water pollution, and the burning of wood for fuel is a significant source of indoor air pollution and respiratory problems. Vehicular and industrial emissions increasingly have contributed to air pollution in urban areas.

Deforestation and land degradation appear to affect a far greater proportion of the population and have the worst consequences for economic growth and individuals’ livelihoods. Forest loss has contributed to floods, soil erosion, and stagnant agricultural output. Estimates suggest that from 1966 to 2000 forest cover declined from 45 to 29 percent of the total land area. Often cited causes of deforestation include population growth, high fuelwood consumption, infrastructure projects, and conversion of forests into grazing- and cropland. According to government estimates, 1.5 million tons of soil nutrients are lost annually, and by 2002 approximately 5 percent of agricultural holdings had been rendered uncultivable as a result of soil erosion and flooding.

Land degradation is attributed to population growth, improper use of agro-chemicals, and overly intensive use of landholdings that are too small to provide most households with sufficient food. Since the late 1980s, government policies have attempted to address these numerous and related problems, but policies often are hampered by lack of funding, insufficient understanding of Nepal’s mountain ecosystems, bureaucratic inefficiency, and sometimes contentious relations between the central government and local communities. Main Threats and Development Pressures There are several threats and development pressures to the biodiversity of Nepal, caused by the cumulative effects of socio-economic status, ecological degradation and political instability (MFSC, 2000). A major threat factor is represented by the Nepalese human population. According to the 1991 population census, the total population of Nepal was around 18.5 million and the population in the year 2000 was estimated at 22 million (MFSC, 2000). More than half (53 per cent) of this population lies under the absolute poverty line and is about to double in the next 26 years (MoPE (a), 2000). Poverty has causal effects on population and vice versa, which contributes to environmental deterioration. Fast growth of the population caused an increase in demand for fuel wood, timber, fodder and land to grow more food (MFSC, 2000). Non-timber forest products are threatened by deforestation, habitat degradation and unsustainable harvesting. Major threats to some protected areas are grazing all year around, poaching for high value products, illegal timber harvesting and unsustainable tourism. Rangelands are suffering from an enormous grazing pressure and wetland biodiversity is threatened by encroachment of wetland habitat, unsustainable harvesting of wetland resources, industrial pollution, agricultural run-off, the introduction of exotic and invasive species into wetland ecosystems, and siltation. Mountain biodiversity is suffering due to ecological fragility and instability of high mountain environments, deforestation, poor management of natural resources, and inappropriate farming practices (MFSC, 2000). Agrobiodiversity is under threat due to use of high yielding varieties, destruction of natural habitat, overgrazing, land fragmentation, commercialisation of agriculture and the extension of modern highyielding varieties, indiscriminate use of pesticides, population growth and urbanisation, and changes in farmer’s priorities (MFSC, 2000). More factors for loss of biodiversity include landslide and soil erosion, pollution, fire, overgrazing, introduction of alien species, illegal trade, hunting and poaching

Population division

Population and Population Division

Manpower is an important and compulsory resource to lead a better life by developing economic, social and political areas of the country. Efficient man power is the base of economic development. Man has to do the overall development and this attmept if for him/herself. The natural resources like forest, mineral, water and the like are not effectively used for people's welfare unless they get capable manpower to hold them. The use of natural resources thus, depends upon the growth, distribution and effeciency of people.

The population of Nepal is increasing to a greater extent over time. Nepal has a long history of census. The first population census of Nepal began in 1911 AD. After that, census was taken in Nepal every 10 years. The 1952/54 census of Nepal is said to be more scientific than the previous ones though it had lacked some scientific techniques. For example, it was taken in two phases one in 1952 and the next in 1954. As shown in table below, the population of Nepal was in decreasing trend up to 1930. The causes behind this were nothing more than unscientific enumeration, worldwide epidemics and influenza and the First world War for which a lot of juveniles had been recruited in the Gorkha Sainik.

Year	Population	Increamental Change in Population	Population Growth (%)	Average Annual Growth (%)	Doubling time (Year)
1911	5638749	-	-	-	-
1920	5573788	-64961	-0.2	-0.013	-
1930	5532564	-41214	-0.7	-0.07	-
1941	6283649	751075	13.6	1.16	60.0
1952-1954	8473478	2189829	34.9	2.33	31.0
1961	9412996	1156371	11.11	1.65	42.0
1971	11555983	2142987	22.8	2.07	34.0
1981	15022839	3466856	30.0	2.66	26.0
1991	18491097	3468258	22.89	2.1	33.0
2001	23214681	-	-	-	-

Source: The Secretariat of National Planning Commission, 1995.
Population Distribution:
According to Ecological Regions:

Ecological Zones	Area		Population	Percent	Population Density (per sq. km)
Ecological Zones	Sq. km	Percent	Population	Percent	Population Density (per sq. km)
Mountain	51817	35	1442306	7.8	28
Hill	61345	42	8413449	45.6	137
Terai	34019	23	8635342	46.6	254
Total	147181	100	18491097	100	126

According to Development Regions:

Development Regions	Area		Population	Percent	Density
Development Regions	Square Kms.	Percentage	Population	Percent	Density
Eastern Development Region	28456	19.3	4446749	24.1	156.3
Central Development Region	29410	18.6	6183955	33.4	225.6
Western Development Region	29398	20.6	37770678	20.4	128.3
Mid-Western Development Region	42378	28.8	2410414	13.0	56.9
Far-Western Development Region	19539	13.3	1679301	9.1	85.9
Total	147181	100	18491097	100	126

According to Age Groups:

Age Group	1991
Age Group	Population	Percentage
0-14 years	7840771	42.4
15-59 years	9576569	51.79
60+ years	1073757	5.81
Total	18491097	100.00

According to Sex, 1991

Year	Male	%	Female	%	Total
1971	5817203	50.34	5738780	49.66	11555983
1981	7695336	51.22	7327503	48.78	15022839
1991	9220974	49.87	9270123	50.13	18491097
2001	1158754	49.9	11627134	50.1	23214681

According to Caste and Ethnicity:

Caste Group	Population %	Caste Group	Population %
Chhetri	16.06	Brahman	12.87
Magar	7.32	Tharu	6.46
Newar	5.48	Tamang	5.48
Kami	4.80	Others(hills)	4.42
Yadav	4.01	Muslims	3.28
Rai	2.78	Gurung	2.36
Damai	2.00	Thakuri	1.62
Limbu	1.57	Sarki	1.46
Others (Terai)	1.4	Teli	1.35
Chamar	1.01	Kushaha	1.01
Maithali Brahman	1.00	Others	12.08
Not Mentioned	0.07

Source: CBS, 1992According to Religion:

Religion	Census Year, 1991
Religion	Population	Percentage
Hindu	15996953	86.51
Buddhist	1439142	7.78
Islam	653218	3.59
Christian	31280	0.17
Jain	7561	0.04
Kiranti	318389	1.72
Others	44554	0.24
Total	18491097	100

Source: Population Monograph of Nepal, 1995

According to Language Spoken:

Language	Population %	Language	Population %	Language	Population %
Nepali	50.31	Magar	2.33	Rajvansi	0.46
Maithili	11.85	Abadhi	2.03	Danuwar	0.13
Bhojpuri	7.46	Limbu	1.37	Satar	0.13
Tharu	5.37	Gurung	1.23	Santhal	0.04
Tamang	4.89	Urdu	1.09	Thakali	0.04
Newari	3.73	Hindi	0.92	Others	3.51
Rai/Kiranti	2.38	Sherpa	0.66	Not Mentioned	0.05
Total					100.00

Source: CBS, 1991
According to Occupation:

Major Occupations	Census Year, 1991 (Percentage)
Agriculture	81.1
Service Area	6.18
Production	4.23
Trade/Distribution	2.98
Professional/Technical	1.78
Secondary Service	1.06
Administrative	0.30
Others	2.09
Not Stated	0.28