Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nepal's physical environment will continue to be both a
blessing and a curse. Its spectacular terrain offers a marvelous
opportunity to further develop the tourist industry. Some will
come simply to view the majestic mountains. Others will risk
their lives to add their names to the growing number of people
who have reached their summits. Many will come for the thrill
of rafting some of the world's most challenging whitewater
streams. Still others may want to visit the lush tropical landﾭ
scapes of the Terai lowland, perhaps to ride an elephant, or
to see a tiger or rhino. Fastﾭrushing streams also give Nepal
one of the world's greatest potential sources of hydroelectric
development. Spatially, nearby energyﾭhungry India offers an
eager and waiting market.
The mountainous terrain, of course, will continue to serve
as a tremendous barrier to movement. Building roadways or
railroads in rugged terrain is extremely costly and difficult.
For decades to come, Nepal's various regions and many of its
communities will continue to be relatively isolated from one
another. This will help to retain the unique diversity of regional
cultures and ethnic groups, but it will hinder economic growth
and development.
Population will continue to plague the country's economic
growth. Nepal has nearly 29 million people in an area approxiﾭ
mately the size of South Carolina (whose population equals
about 4 million). Although all of South Carolina is inhabited,
only about twoﾭthirds of Nepal can support settlement. Nepal's
population is growing by 2.1 percent each year, a full percent
greater than the world average. In order to maintain or improve
the country's standard of living, Nepal must ensure that its ecoﾭ
nomic growth exceeds that of the population.
Nepal's cultural diversity also will continue to be both
a source of conflict and a blessing. When the people within
a country are culturally diverse, the different ways of living,
thinking, and believing can lead to conflicts. The recent decadeﾭ
long Maoist conflict was primarily fueled by rural, traditional
