Page 165 - Social Studies 7

The land in Himalayan region
is not fertile. So, crops cannot
be grown but herbal plantation,
bee-keeping (apiculture),
horticulture can be profitable.
Yarsagumba (Cordyceps) is the
herbal plant through which
people in mountains earn
money. The land in mountains
and hills are not utilized
properly because of the lack
of knowledge, skill, capital
and advanced technology. The
cultivable land is very limited
to Nepal. Only 17% of land is mountain land
good for cultivation in the Terai
and 1% fertile land is available in hills which is not sufficient for the rapidly
growing population of Nepal.

The soil is categorized into the following types:
1. Sandy Soil
It is found in the foothills of mountains. It is not suitable for agriculture.
2. Lacustrine Soil

It is found in the valleys and bottom of the lakes. It is very fertile and
suitable for cultivation of crops and vegetables. The Kathmandu valley and
the Pokhara Valley have such soil.
3. Alluvial Soil
It is mostly found in the Terai. It is fertile and suitable for growing all kinds
of crops.
4. Rocky Soil

It is found in the hilly region. It is suitable for growing maize, millet, fruits
and tea.
5. Glacial Soil

It is found in high altitude of mountains. It is not much fertile but potato,
barley, millet, buckwheat can be grown in this type of soil.

Water

Water is an indispensable resource for living beings. Nepal is the second
richest country in water resources. The naturally flowing rivers, rivulets, lakes,
underground water, etc. are the sources of water. About 6000 big and small rivers
are flowing in Nepal. Some are perennial and some are seasonal. Perennial rivers do

165 Dynamic Social Studies and Population Education - Book VII