POPULATION, ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

🔹 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS:

• Population: The total number of people living in a specific area at a given time.
• Environment: The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives, including natural (air, water, land) and human-made elements.
• Development: The process of improving people's quality of life through economic, social, and technological advancement.

🔹 INTERRELATIONSHIP CONCEPT:

Population, Environment and Development are like three legs of a stool - if one is weak, the whole system collapses.

🔹 MAJOR INTERRELATED ACTIVITIES:

1. AGRICULTURE

1. Definition: The science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.
2. Nepal's Status: Agricultural country (1/3 of GDP)
3. Problems: Traditional methods, unscientific farming, poor land policies
4. Solutions: Scientific land distribution, farmer training, eco-friendly practices

2. INDUSTRY

1. Definition: Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories.
2. Role: Provides employment, improves quality of life
3. Environmental Impact: Uses raw materials, causes pollution
4. Relation to Population: Attracts people → population growth

3. HEALTH

1. Definition: State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being (WHO).
2. Government Responsibility: Basic right of citizens
3. Components: Hospitals, health posts, clean water, sanitation
4. Environmental Needs: Fresh air, safe water, hygiene

4. SOCIAL SECURITY

1. Definition: Government programs that provide financial assistance to people with inadequate or no income.
2. Purpose: Equity, dignity for marginalized groups
3. Benefits: Reduces poverty, protects environment from overuse
4. Target Groups: Women, elderly, indigenous people

5. HOUSING/TOWN PLANNING

1. Definition: Planned development of residential areas with proper facilities.
2. Urban Planning: Town planning with waste management
3. Effects: Reduces pollution, affects population distribution
4. Importance: Quality shelter = quality life

6. EDUCATION

1. Definition: Process of receiving or giving systematic instruction.
2. Role: Produces skilled human resources
3. Development Aspect: Schools, colleges, training centers
4. Environmental Link: Educated people = better conservation

7. COMMUNICATION

1. Definition: Process of exchanging information between individuals.
2. Modern Age: Information Technology (IT) era
3. Tools: Radio, TV, newspaper, internet, mobile
4. Benefits: Global village concept, helps development planning

8. HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Definition: People who work in an organization or are available for work.
2. Types: Skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled
3. Nepal's Challenge: Brain drain (skilled people leaving)
4. Solution: Create local employment opportunities

9. EMPLOYMENT

1. Definition: Condition of having paid work.
2. Importance: Financial independence, national development
3. Nepal's Issue: Foreign employment trend
4. Opportunities: Use natural resources (water, forests, land)

10. CULTURE

1. Definition: Customs, arts, social institutions of a particular group.
2. Components: Language, religion, food, clothing, traditions
3. Economic Value: Tourism attraction → income
4. Conservation: Cultural heritage = environmental heritage

3.1.1 POPULATION PROGRAMS OF NEPAL

🔹 HISTORICAL TIMELINE:

🔹 NATIONAL POPULATION STRATEGY 1983:

1. Milestone in population policy
2. Set quantitative targets for fertility reduction
3. Emphasized integration with development activities
4. Limitation: Poor implementation

3.2 REGIONAL BALANCE IN DEVELOPMENT

🔹 DEFINITIONS:

• Regional Balance: Equal development opportunities across all geographical regions.
• Regional Disparity: Unequal development between different areas.

🔹 CAUSES OF IMBALANCE IN NEPAL:

• Geographical Factors: Mountains/hills difficult for development
• Policy Bias: Development favored accessible areas
• Resource Distribution: Natural resources unevenly spread
• Infrastructure: Poor roads in remote areas

🔹 GOVERNMENT EFFORTS:

• Started in: Fourth Plan (1970-1975)
• Recent Change: Federal system (7 provinces, 2015 constitution)
• Goal: Decentralize power for balanced development

🔹 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX (HDI) 2011:

• HDI Definition: A statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
  Regional Comparison:
• Highest: Kathmandu Valley (0.622)
• Lowest: Far-Western Hills (0.398)
• National Average: 0.490
  Conclusion: Clear evidence of regional imbalance

🔹 REQUIREMENTS FOR BALANCED DEVELOPMENT:

• Land Use Planning: Scientific use of regional resources
• Infrastructure: Roads connecting all regions
• Investment: Both local and foreign in all areas
• Federalism: Local governments addressing local needs

3.2.1 NEED FOR BALANCED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8 MAJOR REASONS:

1. Economic Growth: All regions contribute to national economy
2. Resource Optimization: Each region uses its unique resources
3. Political Stability: Reduces regional tensions and conflicts
4. Social Equality: Eliminates discrimination and injustice
5. Employment Generation: Jobs created everywhere
6. Urban-Rural Balance: Prevents overcrowding in cities
7. National Unity: All citizens feel included and valued
8. Sustainable Future: Long-term development for all

3.3 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

🔹 3.3.1 CONCEPT AND DEFINITION

Sustainable Development Definition:

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”- Brundtland Commission, 1987

Key Terms:

• Sustainable: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
• Carrying Capacity: Maximum population size an environment can sustain
• Brundtland Commission:
• Formed: 1983 by United Nations
• Chairperson: Gro Harlem Brundtland (Norway's Prime Minister)
• Report: "Our Common Future" (1987)

🔹 3.3.2 PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

8 CORE PRINCIPLES:

1. Society Sustainability: Meet basic needs (health, education, water)
2. Ecosystem Conservation: Protect natural systems
3. Biodiversity Protection: Preserve all species
4. Population Control: Manage population growth
5. Human Resource Development: Train skilled people
6. Public Participation: Involve local communities
7. Cultural Heritage Conservation: Respect traditional knowledge
8. Respect Carrying Capacity: Don't exceed nature's limits

🔹 3.3.3 IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

7 KEY IMPORTANCES:

1. Resource Management: Wise use without overexploitation
2. Accountability: People responsible for environmental damage
3. Basic Needs Focus: Priority to food, health, education
4. Community Involvement: Local people participate and benefit
5. Limits Recognition: Development within nature's capacity
6. Future Planning: Considers next generations' needs
7. Ecosystem Protection: Maintains balance in nature

🔹 3.3.4 APPLICATION IN REAL LIFE

5 PRACTICAL WAYS TO APPLY:

1. Minimize Resource Use: Take only what you need
2. Plan Urbanization: Cities designed with green spaces
3. Study Impacts First: Check environmental effects before projects
4. Promote Organic Farming: Chemical-free agriculture
5. Control Population: Family planning and education

📚 CHAPTER SUMMARY IN ONE PAGE

THE BIG PICTURE:

• Three Interconnected Elements:
• Population: Consumers and workers
• Environment: Resource provider
• Development: Quality of life improvement

NEPAL'S CHALLENGES:

✅ Regional Imbalance: Hills vs Terai development gap
✅ Resource Management: Overuse vs conservation
✅ Population Pressure: Growing needs vs limited resources

SOLUTIONS:

• Balanced Development: Federal system, equal opportunities
• Sustainable Practices: Think long-term, conserve for future
• Integrated Approach: All activities consider population + environment

KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:

• 1983: Brundtland Commission formed
• 1987: "Our Common Future" report
• 1970-1975: Fourth Plan (balanced development focus)
• 2015: Federal system implemented

🎯 EXAM PREPARATION TIPS

MEMORIZATION TECHNIQUES:

Acronym for Activities: A I H S H E C H E C
(Agriculture, Industry, Health, Social security, Housing, Education, Communication, Human resource, Employment, Culture)

8 Needs of Balanced Development: E-R-P-S-E-N-U-S

1. Economic growth
2. Resource optimization
3. Political stability
4. Social equality
5. Employment
6. National unity
7. Urban-rural balance
8. Sustainable future

Principles of Sustainable Development: S-E-B-P-H-P-C-C

1. Society
2. Ecosystem
3. Biodiversity
4. Population control
5. Human resource
6. Public participation
7. Cultural heritage
8. Carrying capacity

DIAGRAMS TO PRACTICE:

1. Interrelationship diagram of Population-Environment-Development
2. Sustainable Development Venn diagram (Social-Economic-Environmental)
3. Nepal's geographical regions with HDI values
4. Timeline of Nepal's population programs