- Nepal is rich in natural resources.
- It is a source of food supply, energy, medicine and input of industries.
Components of Natural resources:
- Forest
- Water
- Minerals
a. Forest: Total land occupied by forest in Nepal:
- 37.7% in 1990
- 27.2% in 2000
- 25.4% in 2010
- Continuous decrease in forest seriously threatened the Natural Environment.
- Source of paper, timber, furniture, medicinal herbs.
- Habitat of many kind of wild birds and animals.
- Support agriculture as it causes rainfall.
- Around 19% of forest in Nepal is covered by National parks, Wild life Reserves, Conservation Area, Hunting area, and Buffer Zones.
b. Water:
- Nepal is one of the richest country in the water resources.
- The total length of approx.600 rivers in Nepal is estimated to be 45000 km.
- High prospects of hydroelectricity.
- Theoretically 83000MW,Practically 40000MW
- Total electricity generation 782.45MW at the ending periods of eight months of 2014/2015.
c. Minerals:
- Iron, copper, mica, limestone, lead, coal, magnisite, natural gas found in Nepal
- 1% contribution to GDP
Area where minerals were found:
- Iron ore: Fulchoki, Labdikhola, Jirwant, Those
- Copper: Bhotekhola, Gyaji, Arkhaule
- Mica: Bajhang, Chainpur,Doti, Bhojpur, Nuwakot
- Lime stone: Chovar, Jogimara, Bhaise, Rasuwa
- Lead: Durlang, Baglung, Rasuwa
- Coal: Dang, Salyan, Kathmandu, Chitwan
- Gold: Narayani river