Climate and Environment
Nepal boasts of rich diversity of flora and fauna. The country has three distinct topographical regions as Himalayan region, covered with snow-capped mountains, Hilly region with lush green high hills and Tarai or the plain region. It has remained an agricultural country for centuries.
The country has been bearing the brunt of global climate change in recent years. Rainfall has been erratic. Flooding is a common problem in Nepal during monsoon due to its fragile mountains. The country has been witnessing floods and landslides at a higher scale for the past few years. In the year 2020, monsoon induced disasters claimed as many as 450 lives, destroying property worth millions. Erratic rainfall in recent years has affected farming. Climate change possesses a grave threat to food security in Nepal. Erratic rainfall means extended drought at times, which could cause forest fire. Forest fire could destroy community forests. Gradual increase in temperature has also been recorded, which is worrisome as it will accelerate melting of the snow resulting in bursting of glacial lakes. SAIPAL has researchers, who have been trained on global resource management. Their skill has been honed through rigorous study of theoretical framework and practice on management of renewable resources.
