ABSTRACT
Although changes in farming practices are an important response to a declining resource base, the most important and effective response at the micro level would be a change in the human population pressure on that base. Such pressure can be reduced by a declining birth rate or by outmigration, or both. The birth rate has shown no appreciable fall in the recent past, and if one compares the natural rates of increase in the different regions of the country, there is very little difference between them. Certainly, there is nothing to indicate that the areas subject to the greatest natural resource pressure have lower rates of natural increase in population. However, migration is and has long been a major response to resource shortages in the hills and mountains. As the data in Table 8.1 shows, there has been, since 1971, a substantial net migration out of the hills and mountains and into the Tarai and the Kathmandu Valley. Work by Gurung (forthcoming) indicates that outmigration accounts for over one-third of the hills and nearly half the mountains' natural population increase. Much of the hill outmigration is international, principally to India. The patterns of migration are complex and not fully understood, but it is accepted that the major reason for migrating is the shortage of land, food and employment. Of these, the lack of adequate land is the most important. Whether migrating on a seasonal basis or for longer periods, the migrants often maintain a continuing link with their village or community of origin. They remit cash and goods and return to participate in the community for varying lengths of time. In general, this process is thought to be beneficial to the protection of the resource base, partly because it directly reduces the pressure on that base and partly because it provides a source of cash wealth for the household that permits it to
cal value has been recognized by the government. Conservation plans are being drawn up for the Annapurna area, as well as new areas that are being opened up for trekkers and other visitors. In the past it has been the lack of adequate planning capability that has, understandably, discouraged the government from opening up new areas for trekking and tourism in many of the country's national parks and reserves. It should be noted, however, that such plans need to take account of major infrastructure projects, such as roads and hydroelectric dams and, again, the government appears to recognize this in its current attitude to conservation strategy.
