Environmental data is still a new and incomplete area in Nepal. It can be difficult both to discover what data are available and to obtain access to them. Relevant data are scattered among many institutions, and are often unpublished. There are many gaps and inconsistencies, problems in data quality, lack of clear information about methods and definitions used, lack of time series, and lack of comparability between different data sets.

The report identifies emerging strategic priority areas in Nepal with a focus on issues of sustainable use of resource endowments and ecological niches, participatory and collaborative approaches, from where development organizations can develop programs of intervention. The extensive sources listed will provide future researchers with a basis for identifying new sources of data for future work, and it is hoped that the identification of gaps and needs will encourage further development of an “environmental statistics” culture in the country.

The report also contains a chapter on forestry and biodiversity. Free online edition of the book is available at ADB Website.