RIVERS IN NEPAL

Nepal has three categories of rivers. The largest systems -— from east to west Koshi, Gandaki/Narayani, Karnali/Goghra and Mahakali -- originate in multiple tributaries rising in or beyond the high Himalaya that maintain substantial flows from snowmelt through the hot, droughty spring before the summer monsoon. These tributaries cross the highest mountains in deep gorges, flow south through the Middle Hills, then join in candelabra-like configuration before crossing the Mahabharat Range and emerging onto the plains where they have deposited megafans exceeding 10,000 km2 (3,861 sq mi) area.
The Koshi is also called Sapta Koshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries in eastern Nepal: Indrawati, Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi, Dudh Koshi, Liku, Arun, and Tamur. The Arun rises in Tibet some 150 km. beyond Nepal's northern border. A tributary of the Sun Koshi, Bhote Koshi also rises in Tibet and is followed by the Arniko Highway connecting Kathmandu and Lhasa.

FOREST OF NEPAL

Forest is also known as the wealth of Nepal. Around 25.4% of Nepal's land area, that is 36,360 km2 (14,039 sq mi) is covered with forest. Nepal forest contains many natural herbs that are rarely found in whole world. About 5.1% Nepal's forests are classified as production forest. Nowdays Nepal lost about 2,640 km2 (1,019 sq mi) of forest. Nepal's 2000-2005 total deforestation rate was about 1.4% per year meaning it lost an average of 530 km2 (205 sq mi) of forest annually.
Deforestation is driven by multiple processes. In the hills, conversion of forests to agricultural land—even on steep hillsides via terracing—is historically important, but has lessened in recent decades due to a shortage of remaining suitable terrain in the hills while mosquito suppression having opened formerly malarial land for settlement in the Terai. As a result, forest land in the Terai is being cleared by settlers.
In the hills, greater contemporary impacts involve degradation of forests rather than outright clearing. Degradation is caused by harvesting firewood, and to a lesser extent wood for traditional architecture. These harvests are often carried to unsustainable levels. Trees are also severely damaged by intensive harvesting of leaves as fodder, especially in the driest months preceding the summer monsoon. Households typically keep at least one cow or buffalo for milk production and may also keep oxen for agricultural labor. In addition goats are herded as the main source of meat that is culturally acceptable to upper-caste Hindus.

ECONOMY OF NEPAL

Nepal belongs to the world poorest country, main reasons for this is literarcy, health of Nepalese people and poor political suitation. Although Nepal has much more resources while compare to much developed country like japan but it is still lagging far behind. The rate of unemployment and underemployment approaches half of the working-age population. Thus many Nepali citizens move to India in search of work; the Gulf countries and Malaysia being new sources of work.
The main factor that is helping for developing Nepal economy are
Agriculture
Trade
Tourism

Agriculture

It is one of the main incoming source of Nepal. Out of every ten Nepalese eight were engaged in farming. Rolling fields and neat terraces can be seen all over the Terai flatlands and the hills of Nepal. Even in the highly urbanized Kathmandu Valley, large tracts of land outside the city areas are devoted to farming.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is still at the developmental stage and it represents less than 10% of the GDP. Major industries are woolen carpets, garments, textiles, leather products, paper and cement. Other products made in Nepal are steel utensils, cigarettes, beverages and sugar.


Trade

Commerce has been a major occupation in Nepal since early times. Being situated at the crossroads of the ancient Trans-Himalayan trade route, trading is second nature to the Nepalese people. Foreign trade is characterized mainly by import of manufacture products.

Tourism

Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions because of which people from all over the world are attracted to Nepal. Tourism are one of the main source for earning foreign currency. Every year around four lakh of tourist used to visit Nepal.

INFRASTRUCTURE OF NEPAL

Nepal is a landlocked country. Northen two-third of the country contains hill and mountainous terrain thus making difficulties for building road and other infrastructure. Accourding to 2003 survey there is only 8500km of paved road and 22 district out of 75 lack road links. Most of a Goods used to come from india but there is only one reliable road route from india to kathmandu valley. As the Nepal is a landlocked country, only practical seaport of entry for goods bound for Kathmandu is Calcutta in India. While compare to Sea and road routes of transportation aviation is in better state with 48 airport with frequent flight. Besides having landlocked, rugged geography, few tangible natural resources and poor infrastructure, the long-running civil war is also a factor in stunting the economic growth. However now days Nepal’s Infrastructure has been developing at a very high rate. The main areas under development in Nepal Infrastructure are commerce, Trade and industry. Medium and large scale industries are being set up in the urban regions of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Rajbiraj, Janakpur, Terai areas, Birgnj, Nepalgunj, Butwal, Pokhra and Hetauda. Infrastructure at rural area is also developing due to the initiation taken by the GRID or Group for Rural Infrastructure Development in Nepal by providing better options to the rural population for a higher rate of income generation. This includes providing funds to the rural development centers for setting up of sub-projects in order to upgrade the rural transport system, river crossing structures and roads, mule trails and tracks. The Nepal Infrastructure upgrading program also focuses on strengthening and building social mobilization and rural development.

PLACES TO VISIT IN NEPAL

Nepal is a small country but it is big within itself. Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions because of which people from all over the world are attracted to Nepal. The places which you must visit when you are in Nepal are:

1) Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the Capital city of Nepal hence it the most developed city of Nepal. It is a place where you can experience the culture, the people, the history, and the faith Nepal had embraced, imbibed, and relived for centuries. It is also a starting point in activities like trekking, rafting and other sports.

2) Royal Chitwan National Park

It covers an area of 932 square km. It is a only place to experience some jungle adventure with the elephants riding. It is a safe home for 450 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 43 species of mammals. Here you can enjoy guided jungle walks, Terai culture, wild life breeding project, and safari drives inside 4WD cars.

3) Nagarkot

It is a one of the most famous tourist place in Kathmandu, located at 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu. It is a perfect place for someone who wants to view to the beautiful and majestic Himalayan mountain range. People used to come here to experience a different kind of sunrise with cool blowing winds.

4) Pokhara

It is known as a Switzerland of Nepal located at 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. This city is the rally point for trekking and rafting destination. It offers perfect scenery and gripping natural beauty with the preview of the Himalayan Mountain range, a row in Phewa Lake, a trek beside Seti Gandaki River and Devi's fall, or a peek to the Mahendra Cave.

5) Pashupatinath Temple

It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in Nepal just a four kilometers east of Kathmandu. Hindu believes that dying and being cremated in Pashupatinath and having one's ashes scattered in Bagmati River will give a peace to the soul of beloved one.

6) Patan

Art lovers and enthusiasts should always put a stop in Patan in their Nepalese trip itinerary. Patan is the oldest city in the Kathmandu valley and is the home for Nepalese architecture, arts, traditions, and crafts drawing mainly from religious customs. Walk around the city and feel as if you're walking inside an open museum.

7) Lumbini

It is a birth place of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha who spread a message of peace all over the world. Lumbini is the perfect place to go to if you are into cultural, archaeological and religious treasures. With the number of stupa, meditation grounds temples, courtyards, a walk in Lumbini is a walk with Buddha. Enter the birthplace of one of the greatest man of world religions - Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism - and be captivated by its serene environment and meditate and reflect with its outmost tranquility and peaceful atmosphere.

8) Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is also one of the oldest city in Nepal. The famous place around here is Bhaktapur Durbar and potter’s square where a Nepalese life as it happen in city can be experience just by enjoying scenery out here. Bhaktapur home-made curd is famous across the country.

9) Royal Bardia National Park

It covers an area of 968 square km and is the largest National park at located in Western Terai. It is a sanctuary for tigers, small and large mammals, deer, reptiles, birds, and a herd of the last known elephants in captivity. Here you can enjoy wildlife, short rafting in Karnali and Bheri as well as trekking to Dolpo and Rara Lake.

RELIGIONS OF NEPAL

A religion that has been followed by people of Nepal is Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Mundhum and others. The majority of people living in Nepal follows Hinduism. Accourding to Hinduism we are having thirty-three crore god and godness. Out of which Hindu people worship most are lord Bramha, lord Vishnu, and lord Shiva. Accourding to Hinduism lord Bramha gives birth, lord Vishnu takes care and lord Shiva takes life after correct time. Nepal is said to posses the largest Shiva temple in the world. The most famous Shiva temple is Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus from all over the world come for pilgrimage.
Near the Indian border, Lumbini, Lord Siddhartha Gautama Buddha was born in the Kapilavastu district in about 563 B.C. Buddha Gautama, gave birth to the Buddhist tradition. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone, in which only monasteries can be built. Buddhism is the dominant religion of the thinly populated northern areas, which are inhabited by Tibetan-related peoples, such as the Sherpa. Differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been minimal in Nepal due to the cultural and historical intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. In Nepal, the faiths share common temples and worship common deities. Among other natives of Nepal, those more influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, Limbu and Rai and the Gurkhas. Hindu influence is less prominent among the Gurung, Bhutia, and Thakali groups who employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies. Most of the festivals in Nepal are Hindu. The festival which Hindu people celebrate most are Dashai, Tehar, Chaite Dashai, Machendrajatra etc. Shaiva Siddha, is celebrated by many Buddhists in Nepal as a main festival.

GEOGRAPHY OF NEPAL

Nepal is roughly trapezoidal in shape. The total length of Nepal is 800 km and total width is 200km. Although Nepal is a small country but it is big within itself. Nepal is a second richest country for water sources after Brazil. The Total population of Nepal is 28,951,852 and total area of Nepal is 147181 square km. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten highest mountains. Nepal contains Mount Everest (29,035 ft; 8,850 m), the tallest mountain in the world. Kathmandu is a capital and largest metropolitan city of Nepal. It has a total area of 1203100(metro. area). Nepal has become a famous tourist spot because of its wide diversity Nature resources and Natural beauty. Accourding to Geographical point of view Nepal is divided into three regions. They are as follows
• Terai region
• Himalayan region
• Hill region

1) Terai region

Terai is also known as madhesh is a plain land. Terai is again divided into
• Inner Terai
• Outer Terai
Outer Terai is the northernmost part of Nepal begins at Indian boarder. This area is suitable for Agriculture. Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili were the languages spoken over here. Outer Terai ends at the first range of foothills called siwaliks. This range has a densely forest. In several places beyond the Siwaliks there are dun valleys called Inner Terai with productive soil. The Terai ends and the Hills begin at a higher range of foothills called the Mahabharata Range.

2) Hill region

It is situated south of the Mountain Region, mostly between 700 and 4,000 meters (2,297 and 13,123 ft) altitude. This region begins at the Mahabharata Lekh where North of this range, Nepali-speaking Hindus and Newar merchants who also speak Newari densely populate valleys suited to rice cultivation as high as 2,000 meters (6,562 ft). The increasingly urbanized Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys fall within this region.

3) The Mountain Region
The Himalayan mountain range creates Nepal's border in north with Tibet. This region consumes 16% of the country's land. This Region contains the world-renowned Mount Everest as well as Kanchenjunga (measuring 8598 m) and Dhaulagiri (measuring 8137 m). Vegetation in this area is limited and ends at 4500 m.

HISTORY OF NEPAL

Kirat Period

It is found people have been living in Himalayan region for atleast 9000 years and that people were kirati people. Hence Kirats were first to settle down in Kathmandu. The Kirat ruled for about 1000 years. King Yalambar was most remembered kirati king. It is said Yalambar had gone to witness the battle of Mahabharata between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It is also said that that lord Gautam Buddha visited patan, Swayambhu, Guheswari and spend some time there durning a period of 7th kirati king.
Durning the period of 14th kirati king, great emperor of India Ashoka a follower of Buddhism visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and builds stupas in four directions and one in the center of patan. His daughter Charumati married with local prince Devpal in order to spread the religion. As the Kirat dynasty came to an end in the valley, parts still remained in the eastern mountains where they are considered to be the forefathers of today’s Rai and Limbu castes.

Lichhavi and Thakuri Period

The Lichhavi Period is considered as first documented period in the history of Nepal. The Lichhavi was migrated from india. The Lichhavis were probably the Rajputs of India, especially from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They attacked and defeat gasti last kirati king. Lichhavi era was considered as the golden era of Nepal history as stone water spout, statue of god and godness were created.
The first Thakuri dynasty began with the ascent of Amsuverma. He was not a Lichhavi he married a daughter of the Lichhavi king, Shivadeva. He impressed his father-in-law and became ruler. He was a far-sighted king in the aspect of making family connections making him a great diplomat. Amsuverma married his sister to an Indian prince and his daughter, Bhrikuti, to Tibet’s powerful King Tsrong-tsong Gompo. Bhrikuti is believed to have taken as part of her dowry the begging bowl of Buddha and other artifacts of Buddhism. Together with Gompos second wife, a Chinese princess, they converted the king and Tibet to Buddhism.

Malla Period

After the fall of the Lichchhavis came the Malla period during which the foundation of the city of Kantipur was laid. The early Malla rule started with Ari Malla in the 12th century and over the next two centuries grew into a large empire. The Malla Period is a glorious era in the history of Nepal. Mallas developed trade and commerce, industry, religion and culture. They reached a high level of perfection in the fields of art and architecture.The most popular kings of this period are:

1) Jayasthiti Malla

Jayasthiti Malla didn’t rules for a longer period but he was the most famous of all the Malla Kings. As a great reformer, he codified the whole structure of the Nepalese society in a strictly orthodox Hindu frame. Jayasthiti was a builder of temples and a patron of art and literature. He was also an economic reformer and introduced a new system of measuring land and houses.
Yakshya Malla, the grandson of Jayasthiti Malla, ruled the Kathmandu Valley until almost the end of the 15th century. After his demise, the Valley was divided into three independent Valley kingdoms -- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan -- in about 1484 A.D. This division led the Malla rulers into internecine wars for territorial and commercial gains.

2) Pratap Malla

Pratap Malla was the King of Kantipur, today’s Kathmandu. He was an authority in religion, music, and the art of warfare. And though he was a Hindu, he tolerated other religions. He even reconstructed the Buddhist shrine of Swayambunath. He constructed Krishna Mandir, the Shrine of Taleju, Rani Pokhari, and Guheswari temple.

3) Prakash Malla

Jaya Prakash was the last King of Kantipur. Although brave and confident, but he was unlucky. He tried to save the Valley from a Gorkha attack, calling for unity among the three states around Kathmandu. But his calling was rejected. Even calling on the army from the East India Company but did not get help. Unfortunetely he lost a battle against gorkha army on Indra jatra festival.

4) Ranjit Malla

Ranjit Malla was the last King of Bhaktapur. As a lover of rare and precious things, he added many courtyards to his palace. And to improve economic conditions in his Kingdom, he imported silver exporting it as coins.

Shah Dynasty

Prithvi Narayan Shah was the one with whom we move into the modern period of Nepal's history. He rules Gorkha after his father demises in 1743 AD. King Prithvi Narayan Shah was quite aware of the political situation of the Valley kingdoms as well as of the Barsi and Chaubisi principalities. He realizes the need for unifying the small principalities as an urgent condition for survival in the future. Thus he started a unification campaign. After he won a battle against Nuwakot, he occupied points in the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. Thus the valley communications with outer worlds were cut off. Finally he took a victory against kirtipur. jaya prakash malla of Kathmandu asked a help from East India company but British force was defeated at Sindhuli by Gorkha army.
After defeating British army, Gorkha army attacked and capture kathmandu while people were celebrating Indrajatra festival. Jaya prakash malla king of kathmandu manage to escape from kathmandu and took asylum in patan. When Patan was captured a few weeks later, both Jaya Prakash Malla and the king of Patan, Tej Narsingh Mallal took refuge in Bhaktapur, which was also captured after some time. Thus the Kathmandu Valley was conquered by King Prithvi Narayan Shah and Kathmandu became the capital of the modern Nepal by 1769.

ORIGIN OF NEPAL

Accourding to Hinduism present day Kathmandu valley was created by Ne Muni durning prehistoric time. Hence the place is called Nepala where Ne took from Ne Muni and Pala means protected in Sanskrit,therefore word nepal means a place protected dy hindu saga Ne Muni. It is also said in Skanda Purana that he used to live in Himalayan. Whereas pashupati Purana said that he used to practice meditation at the shore of Bagmati and Kesavati River.
According to Swayambhu Purana, It is said that at prehistoric time present day Kathmandu Valley was a lake. Once Manjushree visited this lake, he saw a lotus flower in the center of the lake and cut a gorge at Chovar to allow the lake to drain. The place where the lotus flower settled became Swayambunath Stupa and the valley thus became habitable.
The word Nepa from Nepal refers to Newar kingdom after converting the meaning of word in Sanskrit it becomes the world Nepal. Newar people are still known as local people of Kathmandu valley.

Nepal

Nepal the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha (officially known as Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal) is a Beautiful Landlocked Country rich of Natural beauty, Culture, Religion and Natural resources, located at south-east Asia, lying between two Asian Giant Countries India and China. Nepal is just like a yam between two huge stone. Nepal has a good relation between both of its neighboring country. Nepal is a world 93rd largest country by land mass and 41st by population. Nepali Rupee is used as currency in Nepal where 75 Nepali Rupee is equal to 1 US dollars. Kathmandu is a capital and largest metropolitan city located at center of Nepal. Newars are local people of Kathmandu valley and their mother tongue is Newari. However Nepali is a national language of Nepal. Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions because of which people from all over the world are attracted to Nepal. Basic incoming sources for a people living in Nepal are Tourism, Agriculture, Government Services, and Private Business. Whereas Tourism and Agriculture are main occupation. Nepal was a Hindu country therefore majority of people living here are following Hinduism. Around 80.6% of total populations are Hinduism, 10% are Buddhism, 4.2% are Islam, 3.6% are Mundhum, 0.6% is Christianity and 0.4% is other. Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty of kings from 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms. Shah dynasty came to end on year 2006 after a several week of mass protest held by Maoist and all major political parties of Nepal. King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah was a last king of Nepal and Ram baran Yadav is first President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.