THE FUTURE OF NEPAL'S FORESTS: THE OUTLOOK FOR 2020

摘要

Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world. With an estimated annual per capita income of US$210, open natural resources such as land and forests are the main sources of livelihood for a large proportion of the population. Poverty is intimately related to environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. Worldwide, the poor do not have access to artificial resources. They depend on their own direct exploitation of natural resources. Poor people have no choice but to engage in unsustainable uses of natural resources and Nepal is no exception. About 44 percent of people in rural areas and 23 percent in urban areas live below the national poverty line. Their livelihoods are closely associated with forest resources. Apart from poverty and a 2.3 percent annual population growth, political pressure is also a major factor behind widespread forest depletion. The forests of Nepal come under threat each time the country witnesses general elections.