This chapter covers Nepal's uneven population distribution across mountain, hill, and Terai regions, detailing each region's unique ecosystem (physical, biological, socio-economic aspects) and the environmental impacts of population pressure, along with conservation strategies.
4.1 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF NEPAL
🔹 KEY DEFINITIONS:
Population Distribution:
The arrangement or pattern of where people live within a specific area at a given time.
Population Density:
The number of people living per unit area (usually per square kilometer).
Ecosystem:
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
🔹 NEPAL'S THREE ECOLOGICAL REGIONS:
| Region | % of Land | % of Population (2011) | Density (per sq. km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain | 35% | 6.73% | 34.64 |
| Hill | 42% | 43% | 186 |
| Terai | 23% | 50.27% | 392 |
📌 Important Note: Terai has highest population density despite having least land area!
🔹 CAUSES OF UNEQUAL POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:
- Services & Facilities: More in Terai
- Security: Better in accessible areas
- Climate: Moderate in Terai (extreme in mountains)
- Topography: Plain in Terai, steep in mountains
- Job Opportunities: More industries in Terai
- Fertility of Land: Most fertile in Terai
4.2 ECOSYSTEM OF NEPAL BY REGIONS
🔹 4.2.1 MOUNTAIN REGION ECOSYSTEM
PHYSICAL ASPECTS:
- Location: Northern Nepal
- Altitude: 4,877 - 8,848 meters (Mt. Everest highest)
- Climate: Very cold, snow-covered
- Land: Steep, rocky, difficult transportation
- Districts: 16 districts including Solukhumbu, Mustang, Dolpa
- Snow Line: 4,000m (west) to 5,000m (east)
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS:
- Agriculture: Only 2% land cultivable (barley, buckwheat, potato)
- Forests: Alpine coniferous (Fir, Spruce, Deodar)
- Wildlife: Snow leopard, blue sheep, musk deer, Danphe
- Special: Cordyceps (Yarchagumba) - rare medicinal plant
- Fruits: Apples, oranges, peach
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS:
- Occupation: Animal husbandry (yak, sheep) and tourism
- Culture: Buddhist majority (Sherpa, Thakali communities)
- Housing: Stone/wood houses, animals on ground floor
Migration: Temporary winter migration to south
- HDI: Low (34.64 people/sq. km)
- Religious Sites: Pathivara, Muktinath, Gosaikunda
🔹 4.2.2 HILL REGION ECOSYSTEM
PHYSICAL ASPECTS:
- Location: Middle part of Nepal
- Altitude: 610 - 4,877 meters
- Climate: Moderate temperature
- Land: Hills, valleys, terraced farming
- Districts: 39 districts including Kathmandu, Pokhara
- Sub-divisions: Mahabharat, Mid-hill, Siwalik ranges
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS:
- Agriculture: 10% land cultivable (rice, maize, millet)
- Forests: Deciduous and evergreen (Sal, Sissau, Rhododendron)
- Wildlife: Leopard, bear, deer, monkeys
- Medicinal Plants: Sarpagandha, Jatamasi, Lauth Salla
- Biodiversity: High due to varied climate
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS:
- Occupation: Agriculture and livestock (main)
- Culture: Hindu majority (Brahmin, Chhetri, Rai, Tamang)
- Housing: Stone/mud houses
- Population: 43% of Nepal's total
- Religious Sites: Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Manakamana
- Transport: Prithvi Highway, BP Highway, etc.
🔹 4.2.3 TERAI REGION ECOSYSTEM
PHYSICAL ASPECTS:
- Location: Southern Nepal
- Altitude: Up to 610 meters
- Climate: Hot/tropical, high humidity
- Land: Plain, fertile, soft soil
- Districts: 20 districts including Jhapa, Biratnagar, Birgunj
- Sub-divisions: Inner Terai and Main Terai
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS:
- Agriculture: Most fertile (rice, wheat, oilseeds)
- Forests: Charkose Jhadi (Sal, Sissau, Khayar)
- Wildlife: Tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, crocodile
- Birds: Peacock, king vulture, Spiny Babbler (only in Nepal)
- Lakes: Ghodaghodi, Jagdishpur (important wetlands)
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS:
- Occupation: Agriculture, industry, business
- Culture: Mixed (Hindu, Muslim, Christian; Tharu, Rajbansi)
- Housing: Concrete or bamboo houses
- Population: 50.27% of Nepal's total (highest density)
- Cities: Biratnagar, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi
- Religious Sites: Lumbini, Janakpurdham
4.3 EFFECTS OF POPULATION DISTRIBUTION ON ECOSYSTEM
🔹 FIVE MAJOR EFFECTS & SOLUTIONS:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
- Problems: Solid, liquid, gaseous wastes affecting ecosystems
Mitigation Measures:
- All Regions: Awareness programs, landfill sites, discourage chemicals
- Mountain: Control tourist waste (plastic, bottles)
- Terai: Treat industrial waste, manage urban waste
2. OVEREXPLOITATION OF FORESTS
Problems: Deforestation for firewood, furniture, fodder
Mitigation Measures:
- All Regions: Conservation programs, alternative energy (solar, hydro)
- Hills/Mountains: Control fodder collection
- Terai: Regulate furniture industries
3. DEPLETION OF PASTURELAND
Problems: Overgrazing causes soil erosion, biodiversity loss
Mitigation Measures:
- All Regions: Rotational grazing, protect young plants
- Mountain: Alternative grazing systems
4. SOIL FERTILITY DEGRADATION
Problems: Chemical fertilizers, pesticides reducing soil quality
Mitigation Measures:
- All Regions: Promote compost, discourage chemicals
- Hills/Mountains: Terrace farming
- Terai: Green belts around industries
5. OVEREXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Problems: Water, wildlife, minerals being depleted
Mitigation Measures:
- All Regions: Awareness, strict laws, sustainable development
- All Regions: Adopt new technologies with less pollution
4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
🔹 FOUR KEY CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES:
1. FOREST CONSERVATION
- Community Forestry: Local communities manage forests
- Forest Act 2049: 7 forest types (national, protected, community, etc.)
- Saying: "Hariyo ban, Nepal ko dhan" (Green forests are Nepal's wealth)
2. LAND CONSERVATION
- Control: Landslides, soil erosion, pasture protection
- Ministries: Forest & Land Conservation, Agriculture
- Education: Environment education in schools
3. WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Urban: Municipalities collect waste
- Problem: Open defecation in villages
- Solution: Education, awareness, proper sanitation
4. POLLUTION CONTROL
- Sources: Vehicles, industries, agriculture
- Measures: Ban two-stroke vehicles, regulate industries
- Education: School curriculum includes pollution topics
📊 QUICK COMPARISON TABLE
| Aspect | Mountain | Hill | Terai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land % | 35% | 42% | 23% |
| Population % | 6.73% | 43% | 50.27% |
| Density | 34.64 | 186 | 392 |
| Climate | Very cold | Moderate | Hot |
| Main Crop | Barley/Potato | Rice/Maize | Rice/Wheat |
| Forest | Coniferous | Mixed | Sal forest |
| Wildlife | Snow leopard | Leopard | Tiger/Rhino |
| Occupation | Animal husbandry | Agriculture | Agriculture/Industry |
| Religion | Buddhist | Hindu | Mixed |
| HDI | Low | Medium | High |
IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO REMEMBER:
- 35-6.73: Mountain land% - population%
- 42-43: Hill land% - population%
- 23-50.27: Terai land% - population%
- 16-39-20: Districts in Mountain-Hill-Terai
- 7 Types: Forest classification in Forest Act
Definations
BIODIVERSITY: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or in the world generally.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
COMMUNITY FORESTRY:A forest management system where local communities are given rights and responsibilities to manage, conserve, and use forest resources