Communities in Nepal

Nepal is a small landlocked country (in the central Himalayas between India and China)◦ What does landlocked mean?

Overview

Nepal is located in a subtropical climate zone but has a varied climate due to its varying altitudes.

Overview

Lowest Point (Terai Plain) – 50m

Highest Point (Mt Everest) – 8848m

Nepal is divided into 3 landform regions:◦ The plains region: 50m-900m◦ The hills region: 900m-3000m◦ The Himalayan region: 3000m-8848m

Using the “Flora and Fauna of Nepal” info sheet draw and annotated diagram of Nepal

Overview

The hills region was formerly forested due to Nepal’s increasing population (and lack of land) the steep slopes have been terraced and are now farmed.

The land has been degraded due to pressure on the land.◦ What does terraced

mean?

The Hills Region

This is primarily an agriculture region. Rice is the main crop (grown up to 2000m) Other crops include: wheat (planted after

the rice), mustard (for cooking oil), corn (grown up the hill) and potatoes (grown up to 4000m)

The Hills Region

Crops

Mustard Potato

Corn

WheatRice

The average size of land is about half a hectare (5000 sq. metres)

Around half the farmers are tenants and are in debt to moneylenders and forced to farm on poor land

Many farmers clear their land to a 50 degree gradient (the government recommendation is 30 degrees)

This causes frequent landslides and deforestation is a problem.◦ What is deforestation?

The Hills Region

Deforestation

Many former hill dwellers have migrated to Kathmandu (Nepal’s major city)◦ Kathmandu: Population: 800000 – Elevation:

1300m However, uneducated rural migrants find

obtaining employment difficult and normally find “unskilled” jobs e.g. selling handicrafts, working in hotels (cooks, cleaners, waiters), day labourers for the wealthy or menial work in construction◦ What are unskilled jobs?

The Hills Region

The increased urban population is putting pressure on the human and physical features of the environment◦ What might be some examples of this?

The Hills Region

This is the main region for mountaineering and trekking in Asia

Mount Everest is locally known as Khumbu People who live in this region are Sherpas

◦ Who are Sherpas?

The Himalayan Region

Khumbu consists of high altitude rock, ice and snow

Fewer than 1% can be farmed, but other land is suitable for pasture◦ What does the term pasture mean?

Water is plentiful in this area About 3000 Sherpas live here in eight

villages and in seasonal settlements at altitudes between 3000-5000 metres

The Environment and People

The air at these higher altitudes is thinner than at sea levels and contains less oxygen, this makes it harder to breath

Sherpas have adapted to this environment, they have a shorter and lighter physique and larger lungs and heart (that pumps more blood)

The Environment and People

Sherpas’ land is used for crops and livestock that can handle higher altitudes◦ E.g. buckwheat, barley and potatoes

In summer Sherpas take their Yaks up to the summer pastures for grazing

Sherpas have also traded with people as far as northern India and Tibet

Land Use and Economy

The Mt Everest environment has some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the world

The number of trekking expeditions that visit this region has increased

The Sherpas have adapted their lifestyle around tourism, many have tourism based jobs as guides, cooks or porters

Work is seasonal but many Sherpas have full time positions

Tourism

Many Sherpa homes are converted to lodges to cater for tourists

The increased income from tourism has helped Sherpas to maintain their traditional customs

Sherpas income orginally came from farming but in recent times it now comes primarily from tourism

This extra money has allowed for modern houses being constructed with electricity, TV, telephones and the internet

Tourism

The Nepalese Government has developed schools, better transport and a hydro-electric power station

Tourism

Sherpas use timber from the Himalayan forests for fuel in their cold climate, tourism has increased this demand

Concern by the Nepalese Government about deforestation has lead to the creation of the Sagarmartha National Park (1976)

Conflict Over the Environment

Originally the Sherpas resisted this attempt to conserve forest timber

In 1978 the government gave back management and control to the local Sherpas

The community responded by participating in a reafforestation program, the Nepalese Government has insisted on:◦ Trekking and mountaineering parties being self-

sufficient in fuel, not relying on local timber◦ A ban on cutting of green timber for firewood

around villages

Conflict Over the Environment

A form of community based ecotourism is currently being trialled where villagers are actively involved in natural and cultural heritage conservation

The government aims to minimise the impact of tourism while still maximising on the benefits

“Sacred Sites Trial to Khumbu” (2003) was an initiative launched aims to integrate conservation needs while spreading the benefits of tourism to the wider community

Future Ecological Sustainability