Page 87 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

birds, insects and the overall ecosystem in terai region. Some of the effects of ecosystem
degradation in terai region with their mitigating measures are as follows:

a. Excessive use of forest
Terai region of Nepal has dense forest. Many portion
of terai is covered by forest area. But due to excessive
migration of people in terai region from mountain
and hilly region, massive deforestation was occured.
People randomly cut down trees so as to extend
settlement areas and cultivable land. As a result,
there is depletion of wildlife, lack of fresh air, scarcity
of underground water, destruction of watershed etc.
Hence, people must limit deforestation. They must be
made aware about adverse impacts of deforestation. Fig: 18
There should be extension of conservation areas and
protected areas as well as establishment of national parks.

b. Livestock farming
Terai region has more grassland. With the increase
of people in terai region, there is increase in cattle
rearing. People domesticate and do farming of
various animals. They graze the cattle in the
grasslands. Overgrazing of cattle leads towards
clearance of grass and plants in the grassland. It
makes soil in the grassland weak. Hence, people
must stop over grazing of cattle.
Fig: 19

c. Excessive Use of land
Terai region has plain and flat land. Soil in terai
region contains humus, lime, phosphorus and is very
fertile. People can cultivate wide range of food and
cash crops there. They do random farming and use
random amount of chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
insecticides, etc. excessively. As a result, there is
increase of land pollution, decrease of soil fertility
and food production. Even there is serious impact
on terrestrial ecosystem as well as water ecosystem.
The reproduction, life cycle of plants, animals, Fig: 20
insects present in those ecosystems are adversely
affected and their survival is highly threatened. People must be encouraged for scientific
farming. Use of appropriate amount of chemical fertilizers, insectisides, pesticides, etc. as
well as control of environmental pollution.

GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10 87