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Environmental degradation and security implications in Indo-Nepal relations
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 1996 |
| Authors | Gaan, N, |
| Journal Title | Asian Profile |
| Volume | 24 |
| Pagination | 143-153 |
| ISBN Number | 0304-8675 |
| Key Words | settlement; mountain areas; environmental impact; social unrest; population distribution; migration; environmental degradation; politics; deforestation; fuelwood; energy resources; rural; development |
| Abstract | The relationship between environmental degradation and national security is examined, focusing on the Tarai region of Nepal traditionally a forested buffer zone between the mountains of Nepal and India. Because of increasing population pressure, environmental degradation and lack of agricultural land the government is encouraging the migration of Hill Nepalese to the Tarai. Severe environmental impacts including the widespread encroachment on forest land; increasing livestock, leading to degraded pasture and soil and deterioration of food supplies; wood fuel deficits; water pollution; unacceptably high village air pollution (comparable to levels in industrial countries) are suggested. This hill to plain migration is however as much strategic as environmental, since the Tarai has long been an area of in-migration and rural squatting from overpopulated or poverty- stricken areas of North India. The open border has led to unabated migration and the Nepal authorities are concerned about alleged circumvention of their citizenship laws. Continued political unrest in Nepal and increasing Indian influence on the region are likely future scenarios. The environmental issues cannot be adequately treated without the imposition of new security agreements. |
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