Nepal was rich in forest resources few decades ago. In the year, 1964A.D. it had covered 45% area of the country. At the end of the tenth plan, forest covered area is estimated 39.6% however, situation is reverse now. The major causes for deforestation are as follows:
i)High Population Growth Rate: High population growth rate is one of the major causes of deforestation. Due to high growth of population, the dependency on forest is rising for every sector like the new an additional settlement, more fuel consumption, more house construction etc. For all these activities forest resource remained only one source
ii) Migration: Due to all internal and external migration problems people from hilly areas to Terai area, people cut or destroy the forest trees for the purpose of settlement as well as cultivation. There is another problem of deforestation due to Bhutanese refugees and Indian border residents. So on the landless people destroy jungle to cultivate land etc.
iii) Major source of Fuel: Demand for energy consumption is gradually increased with the increase of population in a country. Due to the lack of petroleum products, coals and slow development of hydro power, forest sector is the only one source, which contributes about 80 percent share of energy consumption alone. The fuel wood are extensively used for cooking, lighting and ago-based as well as cottage industries in rural areas. About 1000 sq.km. forest is destroyed every year for fuel wood alone.
iv) Lack of Employment Opportunities: The problem of unemployment and underemployment is rampant in the rural areas. There is problem of disguised unemployment in the agriculture sector. Farmers are engaged on the harvesting and post harvesting time. There are not any alternative opportunities outside the agriculture. hence, people illegally sell wood and fuel wood for extra income. Its is their supplementary sources of income.
i)High Population Growth Rate: High population growth rate is one of the major causes of deforestation. Due to high growth of population, the dependency on forest is rising for every sector like the new an additional settlement, more fuel consumption, more house construction etc. For all these activities forest resource remained only one source
ii) Migration: Due to all internal and external migration problems people from hilly areas to Terai area, people cut or destroy the forest trees for the purpose of settlement as well as cultivation. There is another problem of deforestation due to Bhutanese refugees and Indian border residents. So on the landless people destroy jungle to cultivate land etc.
iii) Major source of Fuel: Demand for energy consumption is gradually increased with the increase of population in a country. Due to the lack of petroleum products, coals and slow development of hydro power, forest sector is the only one source, which contributes about 80 percent share of energy consumption alone. The fuel wood are extensively used for cooking, lighting and ago-based as well as cottage industries in rural areas. About 1000 sq.km. forest is destroyed every year for fuel wood alone.
iv) Lack of Employment Opportunities: The problem of unemployment and underemployment is rampant in the rural areas. There is problem of disguised unemployment in the agriculture sector. Farmers are engaged on the harvesting and post harvesting time. There are not any alternative opportunities outside the agriculture. hence, people illegally sell wood and fuel wood for extra income. Its is their supplementary sources of income.
No comments:
Post a Comment