Land degradation in Nepal: A review on its status and consequences

The Nepal Himalaya constitute a threatened ecosystem and cultivation of marginal lands, livestock grazing and depletion of biomass cover, which are directly accelerating land degradation problems. About one third of the total area has no or little vegetation growth exhibiting the characteristics of cold desert. About 10,000 ha in Dolpa and Mustang districts (highlands areas in western Nepal) feature a process of desertification. Two-third of the country is geologically fragile where both man-land ratio and soil erosion are exceedingly high. Topsoil loss was high of 87 tons/ha/yr in sloping terrace. The problem of land degradation is causing decrease in soil quality, soil productivity are in increasing trends. Problem of malnutrition, out migration, biodiversity loss and other associated consequences are becoming major challenges. In these context, this paper highlights and presents some of the land degradation information and some efforts to deal with the facing problems.