Nepal is a small country but it is rich in Natural Resources. These natural resources are the gifts of the nature. Some of the important natural resources of Nepal are: Forest, Water, Soil or Land and minerals.
Forest:
Green forest is the wealth of Nepal. Forest is one of the important natural resources. Different types of forests are found in different regions of Nepal. It occupies about 37% of the total land of Nepal. Forest is the source of all wood-based industries. Industries like paper, furniture and timber are based on the forest. There are many kinds of animals in the forests of Nepal. Forests provide food and shelter for these animals. Animals and birds are the natural beauty of the country. People from many countries come to Nepal to see these beautiful birds and exotic wildlife which increases the income of the country.
Water:
Water is the main source of natural resources in Nepal. Nepal is rich in natural resources. Nepal is the second richest in the water resources in the world after Brazil. Nepal is a landlocked country. So Nepal does not have access to the sea or oceans. But there are lots of rivers that flow from the Himalayas. When snow melts in the Himalayas, the glacier and rivers are formed. The rivers flow through the mountain regions to the Terai. Lakes are also an important source of water in Nepal. Water is used for many purposes. It is used for drinking and washing. It is used for irrigation. Irrigation is the lifeline for agriculture and agriculture is the main source of income in Nepal. Hydro-electricity can be produced from fast flowing rivers. Many hydro-power stations have been built in Nepal to tap rivers for generating electricity. The major hydro-electricity projects are Kaligandaki: 144 MW, Marsyangdi: 75 MW, Kulekhani I: 60 MW, Bhote Koshi: 36 MW, Khimti: 60 MW and Kulekhani: 32 MW
Soil/Land:
Land is the other natural resource of Nepal. In Nepal most people depend on land. They do farming and earn their living from land. Land includes soil and minerals. The cultivable land in Nepal is about 17%. About 38% of the land is rocky and covered with snow.
Soil is an important factor for agriculture. It is not possible for people and animals to live on earth without soil. The land in Terai is very fertile. It is good for agriculture. So, the productivity of Terai is very high. The terai region is the storehouse of food grains. It is called the green belt of Nepal.
Minerals:
Nepal is quite rich in mineral resources. The marbles are made of rocks. Limestones are used in cement industries. Hetauda and Udaypur cement factories are the examples of such industries.Mineral deposits such as gold, mica, limestone, iron ore, copper are found in different parts of Nepal. Because of financial constraint and lack of technical and skilled manpower, progress in the field of mining is negligible. If we utilize the mineral resources of Nepal properly, we can earn foreign currencies and people will get job opportunities also.
Forest:
Green forest is the wealth of Nepal. Forest is one of the important natural resources. Different types of forests are found in different regions of Nepal. It occupies about 37% of the total land of Nepal. Forest is the source of all wood-based industries. Industries like paper, furniture and timber are based on the forest. There are many kinds of animals in the forests of Nepal. Forests provide food and shelter for these animals. Animals and birds are the natural beauty of the country. People from many countries come to Nepal to see these beautiful birds and exotic wildlife which increases the income of the country.
Water:
Water is the main source of natural resources in Nepal. Nepal is rich in natural resources. Nepal is the second richest in the water resources in the world after Brazil. Nepal is a landlocked country. So Nepal does not have access to the sea or oceans. But there are lots of rivers that flow from the Himalayas. When snow melts in the Himalayas, the glacier and rivers are formed. The rivers flow through the mountain regions to the Terai. Lakes are also an important source of water in Nepal. Water is used for many purposes. It is used for drinking and washing. It is used for irrigation. Irrigation is the lifeline for agriculture and agriculture is the main source of income in Nepal. Hydro-electricity can be produced from fast flowing rivers. Many hydro-power stations have been built in Nepal to tap rivers for generating electricity. The major hydro-electricity projects are Kaligandaki: 144 MW, Marsyangdi: 75 MW, Kulekhani I: 60 MW, Bhote Koshi: 36 MW, Khimti: 60 MW and Kulekhani: 32 MW
Soil/Land:
Land is the other natural resource of Nepal. In Nepal most people depend on land. They do farming and earn their living from land. Land includes soil and minerals. The cultivable land in Nepal is about 17%. About 38% of the land is rocky and covered with snow.
Soil is an important factor for agriculture. It is not possible for people and animals to live on earth without soil. The land in Terai is very fertile. It is good for agriculture. So, the productivity of Terai is very high. The terai region is the storehouse of food grains. It is called the green belt of Nepal.
Minerals:
Nepal is quite rich in mineral resources. The marbles are made of rocks. Limestones are used in cement industries. Hetauda and Udaypur cement factories are the examples of such industries.Mineral deposits such as gold, mica, limestone, iron ore, copper are found in different parts of Nepal. Because of financial constraint and lack of technical and skilled manpower, progress in the field of mining is negligible. If we utilize the mineral resources of Nepal properly, we can earn foreign currencies and people will get job opportunities also.