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Is the urban development of the Nepal environmentally sustainable? (Part I) |
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Sustainable development refers to the ?Development that meets the need of present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs? (United Nation [UN], 1987). Sustainability stands on three pillars- Environment, Economy and Society. Development activities incorporating all these pillars are considered to be sustainable. However urban centres are considered to be engine of growth and since majority of population of world live in these urban areas it is vital that these need to be sustainable for sustainability of human race. The goal of sustainable urbanization us to improve the living and working environment of the residents of urban areas in sustainable manner (Joshi, 2011, p.68) but if urban development is examined with reference to it, urban development in Nepal have not considered sustainability properly.
Cities have immense potential for sustainable development (Joshi, 2011). At present context from the perspective of urban development of Nepal, it is garnering economic benefit to the country that is it contributes up to 60% in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country (Sharma, 2012). However it is weakening the social bonds and causing environmental degradation. An example could be Kathmandu valley itself as till 1994 except for sanitation the environmental quality of the valley towns was excellent (HMG/UNDP, 1994, as cited in ADB, 2006). Also IUCN in 1999 stated that due to rapid urbanization cultural heritage sites and the monuments of Kathmandu valley is fast deteriorating (as cited in ADB, 2006).
Since Kathmandu valley is still the most urbanised area of the country it can be taken as an example of consequences of urbanization pattern in the country. 66% population of Kathmandu district, 48% population of Lalitpur and 53% population of Bhaktapur district live in the urban area (CBS, 2011). In comparison to other urban centres of the country accessibility of physical infrastructure is high however quality of those services is questionable. For instance number of hospitals in the valley is increasing rapidly along colleges and other educational institutions however quality of service in these is still to be assessed. ?Number of hospitals and educational institutions has definitely increased however they are more business oriented rather than providing service? (Deepak Parajuli, Personal Communication, 23-05-2013).
Environmental situation (Overview):
Considering Kathmandu valley as an example of most urbanised part of the country, the degree of development and its impact upon environment can be studied. Consequences of rapid and unmanaged urbanization can be experienced by each individual visiting the urban centres of the valley.
The valley has literally turned into a concrete jungle for which good arable and green spaces has been used up. During a period of 80 years land use pattern of Kathmandu has changed significantly with 54% residential area in 2000 which was previously 8% only in 1920. |
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Previous : Natural Calamities in Nepal
32 Comments
Thank you for sharing
Posted 22-08-2013 23:59
thank you for sharing
Posted 22-08-2013 23:57
environment of kathmandu is being worsen day by day
Posted 19-07-2013 02:40
sustainability can be achieved only if every people in urban are aware about the need for sustainability of natural resource management along with economy. because nowdays economy, development are more prioritized than natural resources management and proper utilization of it.
Posted 19-07-2013 00:11
sustainablility like in defination has never been practised in daily life,
Posted 18-07-2013 12:57
you are welcome Nikita
Posted 14-07-2013 10:28
yes Manoj it is not sustainable but there still a scope of improving the situation
Posted 14-07-2013 10:27
thank you Unmesh, will publish that in a week or so...
Posted 14-07-2013 10:26
you are welcome Prateek
Posted 14-07-2013 10:25
you are welcome Sneha
Posted 14-07-2013 10:24
you are welcome Anggi
Posted 14-07-2013 10:22
you are welcome Shibajyoti
Posted 14-07-2013 10:21
well said Aaditya and Kathmandu valley is suffering from its unsustainable urban development
Posted 14-07-2013 10:21
@ Christy-thats the picture of Lalitpur core city from New Baneshwor -Kathmandu
Posted 14-07-2013 10:20
thank you Simran
Posted 14-07-2013 10:19
you are most welcome Kehkashan
Posted 14-07-2013 10:18
actually we dont strongly experience gift of nature within the Kathmandu urban area, our rivers have turned into drains and our land have been turned into concrete jungle, all that left now is people and the outcomes of their greed and wants
Posted 14-07-2013 10:18
very true Smriti, the only outcome of the Haphazard urbanization is degraded environment and we do see sustainability at present
Posted 14-07-2013 10:15
no, it is not sustainable but should be
Posted 13-07-2013 03:14
thank you for sharing ths
Posted 12-07-2013 19:00
Nice report Pratap...will wait for the 2nd part...
Posted 12-07-2013 18:23
thanks for sharing the information
Posted 12-07-2013 17:24
I am living in Kathmandu and I know about the environment concern, thank you for sharing this
Posted 12-07-2013 12:16
I am living in Kathmandu and I know about the environment concern, thank you for sharing this
Posted 12-07-2013 12:13
Katmandhu... :-) thanks for sharing
Posted 12-07-2013 08:51
Thanks for sharing.
Posted 11-07-2013 21:14
Thanks for sharing.
Posted 11-07-2013 21:14
Thanks for sharing. Urbanisation can cause more harm than benefit if it is not carried out in a sustainable manner.
Posted 11-07-2013 17:25
Well Pointed
Posted 11-07-2013 14:52
Thanks for sharing this!
Posted 10-07-2013 17:28
The speed of urbanization is exceeding the speed of recovery of the nature. We must think about it.
By the way, is it the picture of Kathmandu? Wow...
Posted 10-07-2013 13:21
yes, rapid urbanization has left us a degraded environment, definitely sustainability is what kathmandu value seeks at the present.
Posted 10-07-2013 12:53