Natural resources are the substances found in nature that are used by human being to improve their lifestyle. The components around us like air , water, land , plants, sunlight, minerals , etc are natural resources. They are used by us to make our life comfortable and fulfill our needs.
Natural Resources of Nepal
Nepal is a small beautiful Asian country with full of natural resources . The natural resources found in Nepal are land, water, forest , medicinal Herbs , minerals , etc.
The major natural resources of Nepal are
- Land
- Water
- Forest
- Minerals
1.LAND
Land is one of the most important natural resources of Nepal. Nepal is an agricultural country. About 80% of people rely on agriculture in Nepal. There are different types of land in Nepal as the country is composed of Terai, Hills and Mountains. Alluvial soil found in Terai region is very fertile soil for farming. Farmers grow different types of crops like Maize, sugarcane, potato , wheat, jute and so on. Terai region is the most suitable reason for crop production. Terai region is the food supplier to the whole Nation.
Similarly, luvisols, cambisols, regosols, and fluvisols (types of soil) are found in hilly region of Nepal . The crops grown in hilly region of Nepal are Maize, wheat, millet , barley , potato , mustard and so on. In Mountain region, mountains are rocky and have only small amount of soil. However buckwheat, common bean, finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet,naked barley ,etc are grown on mountain regions.
As Nepal is agricultural country, most people are dependent on land. They make their livelihood by the help of land . land also provide shelter to all the living creatures like animals , birds including us. Due to fertile land in terai region, people can produce more crops and supply them to hilly and mountain regions. Terai region is the storehouse of food grains.
2.WATER
Nepal is rich in water resources . It has many mountains covered with snow. These snow melt and flow down to the terai region in the form of rivers . There are many springs, lakes and rivers as the source of water in Nepal. There are a number of rivers like Koshi, Karnali , Mechi, Mahakali , Narayani, Gandaki , Trishuli, Bagmati, Kankai , Seti, Rapti and many more. The rivers are further branched into sub rivers as tributaries. There are lots of lakes in Nepal. The largest lake is Rara. Phewa is the second largest lake. Phoksundo is the deepest lake . In addition to these there are other lakes like Tilicho( lake located at highest altitude), Begnas, Rupa and so on.
Water is used for many purposes in our daily life . We cannot imagine our life without water. We need water for daily activities like cooking, bathing, cleaning, irrigation and so on . We can also generate hydro electricity from fast moving water of rivers.
3.FOREST
They are the natural resources present in massive amount in Nepal . About 37.4% of the total area of Nepal is covered with forest. The vegetation in Nepal is divided into six categories on the basis of altitude.
They are :
a. Tropical (below 1,000 m altitude)
b. Sub-tropical (1000 to 2000 m altitude)
c. Temperate (2000 to 3000 m altitude)
d. Sub -Alpine (3000 to 4000 m altitude)
e. Alpine (4000 to 5000 m altitude)
f. Nival (4000 to 5000 m altitude)
Forests provide essential raw materials for industries for the manufacture of different products. Different industries are run by the raw materials of forest like:
a. Pulp and Paper industries
b. Match industries
c. Timber and sawn wood industries
d. Plywood industries and so on
Forests also provide common people with fire wood and fodder for animals. Forest provide fresh oxygen and balance ecosystem. Cyclic rainfall occurs due to forest . Forests also provide shelter to wildlife, birds and insects. They help to prevent from soil erosion. They prevent from flood. They help to maintain fertility and moisture of the soil. Village near to forest can get more benefit.
4.MINERALS
Minerals all the naturally occurring inorganic compounds with a specific chemical composition, crystal form and physical properties . Many minerals are found in Nepal . Some of the minerals are mentioned below with their location :
Minerals locations
Iron Lalitpur, Ramechhap,
Tanahu
Copper Gorkha, Myagdi, Solukhumbu
Zinc Rasuwa, Sankhuwasabha
Coal Dang, Rolpa, Pyuthan
There are many minerals found in Nepal. These minerals can help to rise the economy of the country. These resources are used for many purposes. They are used for the construction of buildings, bridges and housing settlement.
Conclusion
These are the major natural resources of Nepal . But these resources are not utilized to their optimum level till now. If we can use them to their highest level then it won't take more time to develop our country . Nepal is rich in natural resources but due to its poor utilization, our country is still under poverty line . Government along with common people should pay attention on this subject for the development of nation.