A Country Paper On Sustainable Rural Development in Nepal Presented By Tanka Prasad Bhattarai Ministry of Local Development

A Rural Part of Nepal(Mustang)

Background Nepal is a landlocked country situated in the lap of Himalayas Geographically, the country is divided in three regions, Mountain, Hill and Terai, covering 7.3, 44.3 and 48.4 percent respectively of total land area. For the administrative and political purpose the country is divided into 5 development regions and 75 districts, 58 municipalities and 3915 village development committees (VDCs).

General Information Related to The Rural Development Enumerated Population 2001 23.1 Million Projected Population for 2006 25.8 million Life expectancy at birth, 2006 63.3(Yrs.) Literate Population % 2001 54.1 Per capita GDP at Current Prices (NRS.), 2005/06 22540 Per capita GNP at Current Prices (NRS.), 2005/06 23032 Average household size, 2001 5.44 % Urban population 2001 13.9 % of population below poverty line, 2003/04, Nepal 31 % of population below poverty line, 2003/04, Urban 10 % of population below poverty line, 2003/04, Rural 35 (Source: CBS 2006)

General Information(cont..) Nepal is naturally a beautiful country. Area - 147181 sq. km. Nepal is ecologically divided into 3 parts: Tarai (Plain area with 17% Land) Hill (60% land) Mountain (23% land) Administrative and politically the country is divided into: 5 Development Regions 14 Zones, 75 Districts 58 Municipalities 3915 Village Development Committees. Population – 23.1 million (1998Census) Life expectancy rate at birth, 2006 63.3 (Yrs)

General Information(cont..) Agriculture is the mainstay of the livelihood More than 80% people are rural inhabitant 31% of the population lives below poverty line

Regional perspective Ecological Regions Development Regions Mountains, Hills, and Plains (Terai) Development Regions Eastern, Central, Western, Mid-western and Far western Administrative Region Development regions, Zones, Districts, Municipalities and Villages and settlements

Regional Development Index Topic (2000 AD) Mountain Hills Terai Rural Urban Nepal HDI 0.378 0.510 0.474 0.446 0.616 0.466 EDI 0.355 0.494 0.456 0.426 0.605 0.452 Human Poverty% 46.1 37.2 40.2 41.4 23.9 39.2

Rural Issues Low Income Illiteracy Low standards of living Inadequate distribution and delivery of services and community facilities High birth rate & infant mortality rate Inadequate health care facility Aggregate low economic development

RURAL ISSUES Low Income Illiteracy Low standards of living Inadequate distribution and delivery of services and community facilities High birth rate & infant mortality rate Inadequate health care facility Aggregate low economic development

Government Intervention of rural Development(under Intrium plan) To give special emphasis on relief, reconstruction and reintegration To achieve employment-oriented, pro-poor and broad-based economic growth To promote good-governance and effective service delivery To increase investment in physical infrastructures To give emphasis on social development To adopt an inclusive development process and carry out targeted program

Best Practices Under Ministry of Local Development(community Mobilisation)

Problems in Rural Development in Nepal Land locked. Major parts in Rural Area. Lack of Adequate Resources and Technical Knowhow. Suffering from Extrime Poverty.

Prospects in Rural Development in Nepal Potential in Community Mobilisation. Potential In Natural Resources. Democratisation and Federalism. Positive commitement of Government Towards Rural Development. Clear Government Policies. Decentralisation practice.