Social Studies 5

Free the Words

rob : to steal money, property
wielding : holding
proprietor : owner
restacking : to keep again
awry : wrong, not happening right
riot : violent behaviour of people
hood : to cover face with flexible covering
ablaze : on fire
smash : to break
hurl : to throw with force
rubble : broken pieces of stone, brick, etc
thug : a violent criminal

In-class Activities

Read the following news.

Feb 8, 2015-People at Jimkot have been able to make their village free from alcohol use
and gambling, thanks to the collective efforts initiated around three years ago.
According to locals, they started the campaign after most men started squandering their
hard-earned money on alcohol and gambling. In order to ensure that the campaign is
effective, they have also a 36-member committee comprising one individual from each
household.
As per the regulations formulated by the committee, a fine amounting up to Rs 5,000 is
charged if a person is found disturbing peace under the influence of alcohol.

Source: The Kathmandu Post

Now, get into small groups. As a group, select an anti-social activity. Then,
like the people of Jimkot, prepare a committee to stop the activity. Also
mention what fines and other forms of punishment the committee will
impose on those who break the law.

Exercise

1. Look at the pictures below and answer the questions that follow.
a. b. c.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 51

a. What has happened in the first picture?
b. What are the boys doing in the second picture? What would you do

to stop this?
c. In the third picture, what crime do you think the man might have

committed?

2. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. The men who robbed the jewellery shop were armed
with Khukuris.
b. Roji Maharjan was murdered under the order of her
boy-friend.

c. Riots are normal in Britain.
d. The Home Secretary of Britain is planning actions

against the looters.

e. An anti-social activity makes the society better.

3. Answer the questions below:
a. What was Dwarika Shankar doing when the looters entered his
shop?
b. Where was Roji Maharjan killed?
c. What did the looters do in Britain?
d. What is an anti-social activity?

e. What should we do if we come to know about an anti-social activity?

4. Write about one incident of anti-social activity that took place in
your neighbourhood. You may talk to the elders to find out the
details about it.

........................................................................................................................ .

........................................................................................................................ .

........................................................................................................................ .

........................................................................................................................ .

5. What are the reasons behind theft and robbery in a society? Make a
list of the solutions to these problems.

52 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Lesson Preserving Our
National Culture
3.3

Pre-reading Activities

People love and practise their own cultures. But they are also influenced
by foreign cultures. Take an example of food and festivals. We often enjoy
western food such as pizza and burger; we celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Some say following foreign culture is bad; some feel good about it. In
your views what is good and bad about following foreign culture?

Reading

Valentine's day: Capital City Aglow with Romance Light

Valentine celebrations, rare until a couple of years ago, were in
full flow in every nook and cranny of the Capital on Monday.
The young generation led the
celebration. With crowds gathered
outside gift shops busy preparing for
a special time with their loved ones
from early in the morning, romantic
couples warmed up Kathmandu
throughout the day till evening.

Despite the increasing popularity of
Valentine culture among youth in
Nepal, there are some who don't like
this "imported culture." "This is an imported culture that promotes physical
love between the two sexes," said Sunil Karki, 28, of Imadol. "At a time when
people are forgetting to celebrate their own festivals like Janai Purnima and
Swasthani, Valentine's Day should not be promoted," he said.

The Kathmandu Post (2011-02-15)
Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 53

The news report on Valentines Day is an example of the growing
attraction of Nepali youth to foreign culture and fashion. While
Western festivals like Valentines' Day, New Year Day (Jan.1),
Christmas are becoming popular among Nepali youths, our own
festivals are being neglected.

Youths of today are more attracted to everything foreign. They
discard traditional clothes and wear Jeans and t-shirts. Instead of
listening to Nepali folk songs, they listen to English rock and pop
songs. Easy access to the Internet and television has popularised
western culture.

There are many good things about western culture. Western
people are hard-working, sincere, studious and polite. We should adopt such
good qualities. We should know their fashion and music. But we should never
forget our own life-style, culture, festivals and customs.

Free the Words

aglow : glowing with light or colour
every part of a place
nook and cranny : event of fun, joy
related to love or sex
celebration : gather
brought from elsewhere
romantic : give up
very serious about learning
warm up :

imported :

discard :

studious :

In-class Activities

The Great Earthquake of 2072 has
destroyed many cultural heritage sites of
Nepal, including Dharahara, Kathmandu
Darbar Square, Patan Darbar Square, etc.
Select a cultural site destroyed by the
Earthquake. Write a letter to the editor of
a national daily. In the letter show how
important it is to preserve and rebuild
the site. Highlight the importance of the
site as a cultural monument.

54 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Exercise

1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. The young generation in the capital celebrate Valentine's Day.
b. Nepali youths are attracted to foreign culture.
c. We can ignore our own culture.
d. Youths of today have a tendency to promote national
culture.

e. We should blindly imitate foreign cultures.

2. Answer these questions.
a. How do young generations celebrate Valentine's Day?
b. What are some of the western traditions that have become popular in Nepal?
c. What do the youth of today wear?
d. What is good about Western culture?
e. How has Western culture become popular in our society?

3. Compare these two pictures and write a few lines about each.
A. B.

In the picture A, the boy has ....... In the picture B, the boy has ........
............................................................ ............................................................
............................................................ ............................................................
............................................................ ............................................................
............................................................ ............................................................

4. Write a few lines on the advantages of preserving our national culture.

5. Every year different programmes are organized in your school. Do
they reflect western culture or promote your culture. Discuss and
write a few lines about it.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 55

Lesson Social Service
Organizations
3.4

Pre-reading Activities

Before you begin reading this lesson, think of making a list of organizations,
such as clubs, Guthi, Ama Samuha working in your locality. Discuss, with
your friends the benefits of having such organizations in your society. You
may even list the organizations and the work they do on the whiteboard.

Reading

No society can be free from all problems. Nepali society has problems of
pollution, illiteracy, social evils, anti-social activities and so on. Also there
are problems related to health and education. Therefore, there are a number
of units such as a Ward Committee, Children's Club, Women's Club, Youth
Club, Aama Samuha, Rural Municipality which help solve such problems at
the local level. We call such units social service organizations. Social service
organizations are the groups of people who work for the good of the society.
They help solve the problems facing the society.

In Nepal, there are a number of social service organizations working for the
good of Nepali society. In this lesson, you will learn about some of them.

Paropakar Sanstha

The word "Paropakar" means working for others’
welfare and "Sanstha" means organization. Thus,
"Paropakar Sanstha" is a social service organization.
This is the first and the oldest social organization in
Nepal. It was founded by Dayabir Singh Kansakar in
1947 (2004 BS).

Paropkar Sanstha established a boarding school for
orphans and destitute children at Bhimsensthan, Kathmandu. Today, this
boarding school is known by the name Paropakar Secondary School. Prasuti
Griha is the most remarkable contribution of Paropakar Shanstha. It is a
maternity hospital situated at Thapathali, Kathmandu.

56 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Other social services provided by Paropakar Sanstha are:
• Ambulance service in Kathmandu
• Organizing blood donation programmes
• Providing service to the people during festivals and fairs

The founder of such an organization, Dayabir Singh Kansakar, is no more
among us. He passed away in February 2001 (23 Magh 2057 BS) in Kathmandu.

Nepal Scouts

Nepal Scouts is the national Scouting and Guiding
organization of Nepal. Scouting and Guiding was
founded in Nepal in 1952. Nepal became a member
of the world organization of the Scout Movement in
1969 and of the World Association of Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts in 1984. Nepal Scouts has its headquarters
in Lainchaur, Kathmandu. The founder of Scout
Movement was an Englishman, Robert Baden Powell.

Services provided by Nepal Scouts are:
• It runs relief programmes during natural disasters such as floods,

landslide and earthquake.
• It provides several scholarships for Nepali students for their higher

education.

Nepal Red Cross Society

Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) is a part of International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC). ICRC was founded by Jean Henry Dunant of Switzerland
on October 7, 1863. Nepal Red Cross Society was founded in 1963. It was
recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1964.
Today NRCS has its District Chapters (DCs) in all 75 districts of the country.

Services provided by NRCS are:
• To serve war-victims
• To promote and improve the health condition of the people and to prevent

diseases
• To arrange for emergency relief services for disaster victims
• To organize Junior and Youth Red Cross to promote their participation in

social service

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 57

Maiti Nepal
Maiti Nepal is a social organization that protects girls and women from crimes
like domestic violence, trafficking, child prostitution and child labour. It was
founded by Anuradha Koirala in 1993.

Services provided by Maiti Nepal are:
• Prevention of girl trafficking
• Rescuing girls forced into prostitution and helping them to find economic

alternatives
• Serving the sexually abused girls, abandoned children, potential victims

of trafficking, destitute women, children of the prisoners
• Rehabilitating the returnees from Indian brothels and girls and children

infected with HIV
For the good work of Maiti Nepal, founder Anuradha Koirala was declared
CNN Hero of 2010 on 25 November 2010. Her winning the CNN Hero Award
is a matter of pride and honour for the nation.

SOS Children's Village
SOS means 'save our souls'. SOS Children's
Village is an international organization founded
by an Austrian citizen Hermann Gmeiner in 1949.
SOS established residential schools for poor and
orphan children. Such schools are called SOS
Villages. In Nepal, SOS was built in Sano Thimi in 1973. Now there are similar
villages in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Itahari, Surkhet, Banepa and Chitwan. SOS
Villages in Nepal provide education and shelter to thousands of children.
Services provided by SOS are:
• Providing food, shelter and clothing to helpless and homeless children
• Training the children for work and job
• Serving the needy mothers and children
58 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

There are a number of similar organizations in Nepal. They work for the poor
and helpless people in the society. Social organizations in Nepal are monitored
by a government body called the Social Welfare Council. Such organizations
are important for many reasons. There are orphan children and helpless people
in the society. Social service organizations provide services to such people.

Free the Words

illiteracy : inability to read and write
destitute : extremely poor
remarkable : noticeable
war-victim : a person who suffers due to wars
prostitution : the act of having sex for money
abuse : a corrupt practice
abandoned : left without protection

In-class Activities

You must have seen small children working as helpers in city buses and
local restaurants. Making children work is a crime. But people still force
children to work in a bad working condition. Get into small groups of 4-5
students. As a group, write at least three anti-child labour slogans to raise
awareness against child labour. Display the slogans on the board.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 59

Exercise

1. Match the following organizations with their founders:

Maiti Nepal Herman Gmeiner
Nepal Scouts Dayabir Singh Kansakar
Red Cross Society Jean Henry Dunant
SOS Children's Village Robert Badel Powell
Paropakar Sanstha Anuradha Koirala

2. Fill in the blanks:
a. ...................... is the first and the oldest social organization of Nepal.
b. 'Be prepared' is the motto of .........................organization.
c. Nepal Scouts has its headquarters in ............................ .
d. Nepal Red Cross Society was founded in ......................... .
e. On 25 November 2010, Anuradha Koirala was declared ................. .
f. Social organizations in Nepal are under .......................... .

3. Answer these questions.
a. What are social service organizations?
b. Write two things that Paropakar Sanstha did for the society.
c. What does Maiti Nepal do?
d. What does SOS mean? Who was the founder of SOS?
e. Why are social organizations important?

4. Complete the following table.

S.N. Social Organizations Services
a. Maiti Nepal
b. Nepal Scouts
c. Red Cross Society
d. SOS Children's Village
e. Paropakar Sanstha

60 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

5. Identify the logo of different organizations given below.

6. Write down the names of the founders and date of establishment of
all the social organizations mentioned in the chapter.

Projects for Unit Three

1. Look at the given picture and
write what it says.

2. Make a short profile of a local
youth club or a social service
organization. Include information
about the kind of social work the
organization does.

In this unit, we have learned that:

• smoking, drinking, and drug addiction are bad habits; they are also
social evils.

• we must avoid these bad habits and encourage others to quit them.
• riots, arson and looting are anti-social activities; they affect the society

negatively.
• we should not blindly follow foreign cultures; we should appreciate

our culture and celebrate it.
• social organizations are formed to solve social problems.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 61

Test Your Knowledge

1. Solve the following crossword puzzle. All words are related to the
lessons you have learned in this unit.

C1

9

I

3D 4T 6
1R1
10 M
8
S 5
T
P

2

I

Across
3. voluntarily giving to the needy
4. an antisocial activity of taking someone else's belongings
5. selflessness shown by social organizations
6. the state of being a mother
8. the smuggling of humans
10. why drug addicts are likely to get AIDS
Down
1. when someone is seized by the police
2. adopting foreign culture
7. a disease smokers are likely to suffer from
9. against the law

11. violent behaviour of people

62 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

2. Answer these questions.

a. Write a letter to a friend addicted to drugs convincing him or her to
give up the bad habit and seek rehabilitation.

b. How do antisocial activities hinder community development?

c. With the advent of technology and modernization, the decline
of traditions is inevitable. What can we do to maintain a balance
between preserving the traditions and modernizing the society?

d. Write a description of a social welfare organization not mentioned
in the book. Include the purpose and activities of the organization.

e. What should be done to make your community 'alcohol-free
society'?

3. Activities:

a. Draw a picture of traditional dress of your community. Compare
with your friends and discuss why it is important to preserve our
cultural outfits.

b. Conduct a classroom debate by dividing the class into two groups.
One group shall argue for westernization, the other, against it.

c. Design a social service notice/flyer with an anti-drug/violence
theme. Include a catchy slogan.

d. Create your own social service organization. Include name, goal
and services provided.

e. There are two ways to stop bad habits in a society. One is the
individual effort and another is the communal effort. Write two
different ways for each as shown below.

Bad habit Individual effort Communal effort

Smoking Do not smoke Create awareness pro-
gramme on harmful
effects of smoking

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 63

Unit Civic Awareness

4

In this unit, we will learn:

• to understand the concept of fundamental rights and duties of the citizen.
• to be inspired to protect and preserve natural and cultural heritage of Nepal.
• the meaning and importance of social norms.
• about District Assembly and District Coordination Committee.
• the functions of District Assembly and District Coordination Committee.
• to be polite, civil, and courteous to others.
• to display good manners and appreciate them.

64 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Lesson Fundamental Rights
and Duties
4.1

Pre-reading Activities

Look at the pictures below. Then, answer the questions that follow.

• What do you see in each picture?
• What are the children doing?
• What time do you study at home?
• How many hours do you play at home?
• Are there children in your neighbourhood who do not go to

school? If so, why do you think they are unable to go to school?

Reading

Nepal is a democratic
republic. Citizens of Nepal
are granted rights by the state
and its constitution. Some of
those rights are fundamental
rights. Fundamental rights are
basic and necessary rights for
the physical, psychological,
social and intellectual growth
of a citizen. Below are some of
the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of Nepal by the constitution
of 2072.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 65

Right to Freedom:
Every citizen shall have the following rights:
a. freedom of opinion and expression;
b. freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms;
c. freedom to form political parties or organizations;
d. freedom to form unions and associations;
e. freedom to move and reside in any part of Nepal; and
f. freedom to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation,

industry, or trade.

Right to Equality:
All citizens shall be equal before the law. No person shall be denied the equal
protection of the law.

Right against Untouchability and Racial Discrimination:
No person will be subject to racial discrimination and untouchability of any
form.

Right Regarding Environment and Health:
a. Every person has the right to live in a clean environment.

b. Every citizen has the right to get basic health service free of cost.

Education and Cultural Right:
a. Each community shall have the right

to get basic education in their mother
tongue as provided for in the law.
b. Every citizen shall have the right to
free education from the state up to
secondary level as provided for in the
law.

Right Regarding Employment and Social Security:
a. Every citizen has the right to get a job.

66 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Right to Property:
Every citizen has the right to acquire, own, sell and otherwise dispose of their
property.

Right of a Woman:
a. No one shall be discriminated in any form merely for being a woman.

b. Every woman shall have the right to reproductive health. No physical,
mental or any other form of violence shall be inflicted on any woman,
and such an act shall be punishable by law.

c. Sons and daughters shall have equal rights to their ancestral property.

Right of Child:
a. Every child shall have the right to his/her own identity and name.

b. Every child shall have the right to basic health and social security.

c. Every child shall have the right against physical, mental or any other
form of exploitation.

d. Helpless, orphan, mentally challenged, conflict victims, displaced,
vulnerable and street children shall have the right to get special privileges
from the state for their secured future.

e. No minor shall be employed in factories, mines, etc.

Right to Religion:

Every person has the right to follow and preserve his/her own religion.

Protection of Rights

Fundamental rights are human rights granted by the constitution of the
country. They enable people to live a dignified life. When we are denied any of
the fundamental rights, we can claim our rights in the court of law. The court,
then, will make sure that every person has enjoyed his or her rights. More
importantly when we exercise our rights, we should not violate others' rights.

Fundamental Duties

Citizens do not only have rights. They have their duties also. Each person
must realize their duty toward the nation and its people. Without performing
duties, it will be useless to claim for rights. As a citizen of the country, we have
moral, legal and social duties towards other citizens and the country. Here are
some of them.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 67

Moral duties: to show respect to the parents and elders; to love youngsters; to
help people in need; to love the country and to help children and seniors.

Social duties: keeping the surroundings clean; preserving public places;
maintaining peace at public places like hospitals and libraries; electing
representatives through votes.

Legal duties: to follow the law, to pay taxes, to
cast vote, to help the government maintain law
and order.

In the Constitution of Nepal, "fundamental
duties" is a new idea. The Committee on
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
of the Constituent Assembly had made the
provision for fundamental duties. According
to the committee, the following are some of the
fundamental duties of a citizen.
• Every citizen should be faithful to the nation.
• Every citizen should keep national secrets and should follow the law

and constitution of the country.
• Everyone should serve for the nation when the nation so demands.

• Everyone should pay tax according to the law.

• Everyone should respect father, mother, children, elderly people,
women, helpless and disabled people.

• Everyone should protect public and national property.
• Everyone should exercise one's rights and freedom without infringing

on the rights of other people.

• Everyone should protect and promote natural, cultural and historical
heritage.

• Everyone should work for the conservation of environment.

Rights and duties go together. If we do our duties, it helps other citizens enjoy
their rights. Similarly, if other people do their duties it makes easier for us
to enjoy our rights. An awareness about our duties makes us disciplined,
dignified and moral citizens of the country.

68 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Free the Words

democratic : relating to democracy
republic : a government where the head of the state is

constitution elected by people
psychological : an established law of a country
deny : of or relating to the mind
dispose : to refuse
ancestral : to put in place
exploitation : inherited from an ancestor
vulnerable : the act of using someone unfairly
privileges : easily hurt or harmed
infringe : benefits
: to break a law, a rule

In-class Activities

Look at the pictures below and write which rights or duties have been
denied in each case.
a. b.

......................................... .........................................
......................................... .........................................
......................................... .........................................

c. d.

......................................... .........................................
......................................... .........................................
......................................... .........................................

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 69

Exercise

1. Below are the statements about fundamental rights and duties. Write
'fundamental rights' or 'fundamental duties' next to each statement.
a. We can join the political parties that we like.
b. All Nepalis are equal before the law.
c. We should love the juniors and respect the seniors.
d. We can buy and sell properties.
e. We should pay tax to the government.
f. We should preserve forests and national wealth.

g. We should be given education.

2. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. Fundamental rights are human rights.
b. Fundamental duties are mentioned in the 'Constitution
of Nepal-2072'.
c. Right against untouchability means you cannot touch
others.
d. Right to religion means we can follow a religion
according to our interests.
e. We can claim rights without doing our duties.
f. If citizens are denied of their rights, they can complain
in the court of law.

3. Answer these questions.
a. What are fundamental rights?
b. How do fundamental rights help citizens of the country?
c. Which institution protects our rights?
d. What are our three different duties?
e. How are rights and duties related to each other?

4. Make a list of citizens' rights and duties. Write them in chart paper
and paste on the wall of your classroom.

5. It is the duty of every citizen to pay tax to the government. Ask your
parents if they are paying tax or not.

70 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Lesson Preserving National
Heritage
4.2

Pre-reading Activities

Name at least one natural or cultural site located in or near your
community. What is the importance of the site? What can you do to protect
and preserve the site? What do you think the people in the area should do
to protect it?

Reading

Nepal is a culturally rich country.
There are a lot of cultural and
historical places. Similarly, Nepal
has many natural resources.
The forests, rivers, and minerals
are natural resouces. Nepal also
has world famous mountains,
lakes and rivers. Also there are
temples, palaces and museums
of historical and cultural
importance. While rivers, forests,
mountains are natural wealth, temples and palaces are our cultural wealth.
Both natural and cultural wealth are our national wealth.

National wealth is very important for a person. In fact, it is more important
than personal wealth. The development of the country and its people depends
on how wisely we use national wealth.

Let's talk about natural resources. Forests provide grass for cattle, firewood for
cooking and timber and wood for making houses and furniture. Forests help
prevent floods and landslides. Rivers are as important as forests. Rivers and
lakes are sources of water, electricity and irrigation. Mountains attract tourists
and promote tourism.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 71

But, we can also see such valuable resources being misused. Trees are being cut
down, rivers are being polluted, wild animals are being killed and mountains are
being littered. We must all work to preserve these resources. There are a number
of programmes and organizations that work to preserve these resources.

Forestry Organizations of Nepal (FON) and
Association of Collaborative Forest Users
Nepal (ACFU) work to protect forests.
There are National Parks and organizations
like Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN). Nepal
Mountaineering Association (NMA) and
Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) work
to maintain cleanliness in the Himalayas.
Nepal Water Conservation Foundation
(NWCF) works for the protection of rivers and lakes.

Cultural wealth is as important as natural wealth. Cultural wealth is also
called cultural heritage. There are stone inscriptions, stone spouts, temples
and stupas all over our country. They reflect the nation's history, art, culture
and civilization. Many of the things from the past are collected and kept
in museums. In the National Museum, Chhauni, and Museums of Patan,
Hanumandhoka Palace and Bhaktapur, we can see many things of the past.

There are many temples and palaces which
are famous all over the world. Pashupatinath
Temple, Changu Narayan, Patan Durbar
Square, Janaki Temple, Lumbini are our
national heritages. The Archaeological
Department looks after these palaces. There
are some organizations which work for
the protection of such palaces. Pashupati
Area Development Trust works for the
preservation and development of Pashupatinath Temple and its surroundings.
Lumbini Development Fund works for the development of Gautam Buddha's
birthplace.

These efforts alone won't be enough for the protection and development of our
national heritage. We should work at individual levels and lend our support
to the cause.
72 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Free the Words

irrigation : act of supplying water to land for plantation

litter : to make things dirty

inscription : words written on books or stones

spout : a tube, pipe, or hole from which a liquid
flows

archaeological department : an office that studies the cultures of the past

In-class Activities

Take a sheet of drawing paper. Think of a cultural site such as a temple,
mosque, or monastery that you know. Draw its picture. Write a few facts
about it such as what it is and why it is famous. Then, paste it on the
display board.

Exercise

1. Below are the names of organizations (A) and the areas in which
they work (B). Match them.

A B
Nepal Mountaineering Birthplace of Buddha
Association

Nepal Water Conservation Forests
Foundation Pashupatinath Temple

Bird Conservation Nepal

Association of Collaborative Rivers and lakes
Forest Users Nepal

Pashupati Area Himalayas
Development Trust

Lumbini Development Fund Birds

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 73

2. List the examples of national wealth mentioned in the lesson under
the following headings.

Natural Wealth Cultural Wealth

3. Answer these questions.
a. Why is national wealth important?
b. How do forests and rivers help human beings?
c. Name two organizations working to protect the Himalayas.
d. What do stone inscriptions and temples reflect about our nation?
e. Write one difference between natural wealth and cultural wealth.

4. Make a list of the rivers, forests, temples or the old palaces (if any)
around your locality. Write a few lines on any one of them.

5. Prepare some catchy slogans appealing to preserve and promote
natural and cultural resources.

Ex. "Let us be united to preserve our natural wealth."

....................................................................................................................... .

....................................................................................................................... .

6. As a student what can you do to preserve the national heritages that
are around your place? Write few lines.

7. Suppose you find the natural and cultural resources of your
community being destroyed day by day. Write a letter to the
chairperson/ Mayor of your Rural Municipality/ Municipality
asking him or her to take action.

74 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Lesson Social Norms

4.3

Pre-reading Activities

In small groups of students, enact a situation in which some students will
have to help others. Situations may be such as falling sick, failing an exam or
getting hurt in an accident. Then, discuss the importance of helping others.

Reading

Nepali society has certain values. It runs according to some norms. These
norms are not written down as law but they have been followed for a long
time. Take for example the idea of helping each other at work. It is not a law to
be followed. But Nepali people help each other in need. Likewise, there are so
many such rules which are part of Nepali traditions.

During festivals and fairs, Nepali people
come together and work to make them
successful. They get involved in Guthi and
Trust and contribute as much as possible.
During festivals like Tihar, youths get
together and play deusi and bhailo and use
the fund collected for social work. This is
an example of people's participation in a
festival for the social cause.

There are some other norms which we have been following for a very long
time. Here are some:

Borrowing and lending: When a family is short of food items such as rice,
sugar, flour, etc., they borrow from other families and repay them later. This
system quite popular in Nepal is known as paincho.

Trading labour: In villages, a farmer goes to work in another farmer's field. The
next farmer later repays the labour. This helps each farmer in the community.
This system of exchanging labour is known as parma.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 75

Empathy and condolences: When somebody passes away in the society, all the
members of the society visit the bereaved family. They comfort the bereaved
and extend condolences. They also take part in the funeral procession.

Participating in functions: During social and cultural occasions like
bratabandha, wedding, etc, neighbours get together and participate. Such an
activity promotes social harmony.

There are many such norms according to which we behave with each other in
the society. Following norms helps to maintain discipline and order among the
people. People become helpful and cooperative. But all the social norms may
not be good. We should follow only those that are useful to us.

Free the Words

norm : acceptable rules or behaviour
empathy : understanding other's felling
condolence : expression of sad feeling for a person who has

bereaved died
funeral : suffering the death of a loved one
: a ceremony held for a dead person

76 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

In-class Activities

When was the last time you attended a social function such as cleaning,
planting trees, marching for a cause, etc.? Recall the event and briefly write
what happened. What did you do during the function? Read out your
write-up to the class.

Exercise

1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. Social rules are mentioned in the law.
b. Nepali people work together during fairs and festivals.
c. Borrowing and lending is a good practice.
d. Trading labour means asking for help and not repaying it.

e. Social norms promote harmony in the society.

2. Answer these questions.
a. How do people practice 'paincho' system?
b. How does the system of "parma" work?
c. Why are 'social norms' important?

d. Should we follow all the traditional norms? Why?

3. List the activities that people in your society perform as part of
social norms.

4. Show in a table the advantages of following social norms and
disadvantages of not following the social norms.

Advantages of following social Disadvantages of not following
norms social norms

5. Make different groups of students and form rules and regulations at
school. Now, combine all the rules formed by different groups and
form single set of rules. Write those rules in a chart paper and paste
it on the wall of the classroom.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 77

Lesson District Assembly and District
Coordination Committee
4.4

Pre-reading Activities

Before you begin this lesson, elect members of a District Coordination
Committee (DCC) from among yourselves. You may use ballots to do so.
After you select the DCC members, conduct a brief meeting to plan five things
you want to do for the development of the district. Share your ideas with your
teacher and the class.

Reading

In Grade IV, you have learnt about Rural Municipality. A Rural Municipality
is a local administrative body. The body higher than Rural Municipality is
called District Coordination Committee (DCC). A DCC is a district level
administrative body. Just as Rural Municipalities are formed to develop
villages, and municipalities are formed for developmental activities of cities
and towns, a DCC is meant for the overall development of the district. A DCC
is monitored by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development.

Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development

District Coordination Rural Municipalities/ Ward Committees

Committee Municipalities

There is a District Assembly for coordination and essential management among
the Rural Municipalities and Municipalities within the district. The members
of the District Assembly comprise the heads of every Rural Municipality and
Mayor of every Municipality within the district. The District Assembly elects
a District Coordination Committee.

The District Coordination Committee carries out all tasks on behalf of the
District Assembly. The functions, duties and powers of the District Assembly
are as follows:

78 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

♦ To coordinate among the Rural Municipalities and Municipalities and
province within the district

♦ To carry out monitoring so as to maintain balance in development and
construction works

♦ To carry out tasks such as:
• conduct adult education programmes in the district
• build drinking water projects
• conduct small-scale hydro-electricity projects
• construct health posts and hospitals in the district
• prepare plans for constructing roads in the district
• construct bridges in the district
• protect public land
• provide for the orphans, the helpless, the old and the disabled
• run afforestation programmes and protect environment
• preserve and promote natural and cultural resources
• prevent epidemics and control drug addiction
• make plan for the development of villages and towns

A chairperson heads the DCC. The number of members in a DCC consists a
maximum of 9 members. In a DCC, there is a chairperson, a deputy chairperson,
at least 3 women and at least 1 person from the Dalit or minority community.

The members of the Village Assembly or Municipal Assembly within the
district concerned can be a candidate for the post of the Chairman, the Deputy
Chairman and member of the District Coordination Committee.

Composition of DCC

Chairperson

Deputy Chairperson

Other members (at least 3 women and at least 1 person
from the Dalit or minority community)

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 79

Free the Words

administrative : related to managing daily official work
monitor : to check, to watch
representative : a person chosen by people on their behalf
nominated : chosen
afforestation : process of planting trees and conservation of forest.

In-class Activities

Imagine that you are an elected member of the District Coordination
Committee of your district. Identify at least three things you want to do in
your district. Explain why each work is important for the development of
the district. Share your ideas with the class.

Exercise

1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. District Coordination Committee is a village level
organization.
b. District Coordination Committee is formed with an
objective to develop the district.
c. There are about 80 District Coordination Committees
in our country.
d. The Chairperson of the District Coordination Commit-
tee is nominated by the District Assembly.

2. Answer these questions.
a. What is District Assembly?
b. Who are the members of the District Assembly?
c. How many members are there in a DCC?
d. Who looks after the administration of the DCC?
e. Write three most important functions of a District Assembly.

80 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

3. Ask your teacher or parents to gather information and fill up the
following chart.
a. District Coordination Committee:
Name of the district :.................................................................................
Chairperson : ............................................................................................
Deputy chairperson: ...............................................................................
Other members: ........................................................................................
i. ...................................................................................
ii. ...................................................................................
iii. ...................................................................................
iv. ...................................................................................
v. ...................................................................................
vi. ...................................................................................
vii....................................................................................
b. District Assembly
Members
i. ...................................................................................
ii. ...................................................................................
iii. ...................................................................................
iv. ...................................................................................
v. ...................................................................................

4. What are the various development activities carried out in your
community? Make a list of them.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 81

Lesson

4.5 Civility and Ability to

Solve Problems

Pre-reading Activities

Before reading the lesson, form small groups. Some group members play
the role of neighbours or strangers. Begin interaction between strangers
and neighbours. For dispute settlement, have two students argue over a
lost pencil or some other thing and get the third one to settle the dispute.

Reading

Roshan Chudal is in Grade V. He lives in Kapan,
Kathmandu. He is only eleven years old now but
everyone in Kapan knows him. "Roshan is a gem;
he is such a nice boy," they say. Why do people like
Roshan so much? It is because he is civil, polite and
has respectful manners. He treats everyone equally
in his neighbourhood. "Hello Uncle, Hello Auntie,
Namaste Dai, Namaste Didi," he addresses his seniors
according to their age. He tells his juniors to study
well. "Tell me if you don't know any sum of math, I
will help you," he tells them.

Politeness is Roshan's strength. He knows how to respect others. Even with
strangers, he behaves very politely and respectfully. One day, he saw a man
wandering up and down the Kapan road. He seemed to have lost his way.
Roshan approached him. "Excuse me, do you need any help?" he asked. He
saw that the man was little alarmed. "Namaste, I am Roshan Chudal. I live
here. Tell me if I can do anything for you," Roshan said. The man had come
to Kathmandu to meet his brother who worked at Om Hospital, Chabahil.
Roshan stopped a micro-bus and got the man in. "Drop this Uncle at Chabahil
and help him reach the hospital," he told the driver. The man was happy.

The other day, two of Roshan's friends, Moni and Raja, nearly fought with
each other in the playground. Moni and Raja wanted to play table tennis but

82 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

both of them wanted to bat first. "Me
first," Moni said. "No, me" Raja said.
Moni had almost pushed Raja down
but Roshan intervened. "If you keep
arguing over who bats first, none of
you will get to play. Some others will
take the chance. Stop arguing," he
said. He took a piece of paper, cut it
into two and wrote "batting" on one
of them. He then folded them into
a roll. He asked Moni and Raja to
choose one. Raja got the paper with 'batting' written on it. Then the dispute
was settled.

Roshan displays exemplary manners.

Free the Words

civil : polite, civilized
wandering : moving aimlessly
alarmed : warned
intervene : come between
dispute : argument, disagreement
display : show

In-class Activities

Divide the class into four groups. Each group selects one problem from the
list below. Then, as a group suggest how the problem can be solved.
a) In Roshan’s neighbourhood, few young men walk around drunk in

the middle of the night. They disturb the neighbours.
b) Nishan is sad because his parents often quarrel; his dad comes home

late at night drunk and picks fight with his mom.
c) Dinesh’s neighbourhood is littered with waste materials all over even

if they have trash cans set around the neighbourhood.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 83

Exercise

1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. Roshan Chudal is a resident of Kapan.
b. Civility is his quality.
c. He is rude to his juniors.
d. The man had lost his way.
e. The man had come to Kathmandu to look for a job.

2. Answer these questions.
a. How does Roshan socialize with his neighbours?
b. How does he treat his juniors?
c. How did Roshan help the man who had lost his way?
d. How did he settle the dispute between Moni and Raja?
e. Are you helpful like Roshan? Describe one incident in which you
have shown your humanity.

3. Imagine that two strangers came to your house. Write what you'll
tell them.

4. Have you ever settled a dispute between two persons? Write how
you did that.

5. What advantages does the community get when it has people like
Roshan?

6. Are there any helpful persons in your community? If yes, write
about him/her.

84 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Project for Unit Four

1. The picture alongside shows a
person exercising his right and
performing a duty. Identify the
kind of right and duty the picture
shows and write a paragraph
about it.

2. Visit a cultural or historical
heritage site that is located near
your home or school. Find out the
problems facing the site and suggest ways to solve them. Include
quotes from a responsible person if possible.

3. Think about a social ceremony performed in your community. It
could be anything from bratabandha to deusi or bhailo. Make a short
report on how such ceremony is performed.

In this unit we have learned that:

• citizens of a nation enjoy some rights and fulfill the duties.

• rights guaranteed by the constitution are called fundamental rights.

• freedom of opinion, freedom to assembly, freedom to form political
parties, and freedom to move from one place to another within a
country are some fundamental rights.

• paying taxes, preserving public property, and helping government
maintain law and order are some of the duties of citizens.

• nature-given and human-made monuments, places of historical and
cultural importance are called national heritages.

• we should preserve and protect our national heritages.

• unwritten social rules and manners that guide social behaviour are
called social norms.

• as a good citizen, we must show civility towards others and help
others solve problems.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 85

Test Your Knowledge

1. Write very short answers to the following questions.
a. What is freedom of expression? Why is it necessary?
b. How can we help to protect child rights?
c. What are duties? Give two examples.
d. What do you mean by tax?
e. Write any two rights you have as a child.
f. Why are fundamental rights called birth rights?
g. Name three organizations which work to preserve the natural resources
of our country.
h. What do you mean by national wealth?
i. What are paincho and parma?
j. Write two functions of the District Assembly.
k. How should disputes between two people be settled?

2. Answer these questions.

a. What should one do if they are deprived of their fundamental rights?
b. If someone doesn’t fulfill their fundamental duties, they shouldn’t

have their fundamental rights. Would this law be beneficial for the
country?
c. How can we work at an individual level to protect our national/
cultural wealth?
d. You see two of your friends physically fighting. Describe how you
would handle the situation.
e. Norms are unwritten laws followed by people. However, not all norms
are necessarily good. Give an example of a norm which hampers social
development and list some measures to be taken to rid society of it.
f. Imagine you were appointed as the chairperson of your District
Coordination Committee. What new systems would you introduce for
the betterment of your district?

3. Activities:

a. Create a family constitution i.e. a constitution for your household
enlisting the fundamental rights and duties of each family member.

b. Visit a cultural heritage site near your locality and write a report with
the following headings:

• Introduction • History

• Cultural status • Preservation efforts

86 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Unit Our Earth

5

In this unit, we will learn:

• about the geography of Nepal.
• about main geographical regions: Terai, Hills, and Mountains.
• the meaning of climate; types of climate found in Nepal.
• about landforms, types of soil and crops cultivated in various regions of Nepal.
• the meaning of vegetation; types of vegetation found in Nepal.
• learn about the physical features and social life of our neighbouring countries.
• about the importance of maps in studying the geography of a region.
• about the map of Nepal and ways of drawing it.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 87

Lesson

5.1 Nepal : Physical Features

Pre-reading Activities

Before you read the lesson, study the map of Asia or the globe. Locate where
Nepal is. Then describe the countries that surround Nepal.

Reading

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. It lies between China and India.
The country is located in the north of India and south of China. It is roughly
rectangular in shape and its average length is 885 km from the west to east.
From north to south, the average width is 193 km. The total area of Nepal is
147,181 square kilometers.
Topographically, Nepal is divided into three regions: the Himalayas in the
north, the Hills consisting of the Mahabharata range and Chure Hills in the
middle, and the Terai in the south. In other words, the country can be divided
into three main geographical regions:

88 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

The Himalayan Region

The altitude of the Himalayan region extends from 4877 to 8,848 meters.
The highest peak of the world, Mt Everest, stands at 8,848 meters. It's in the
Himalayan region. The Himalayan Region makes up about 15 percent of the total
land of Nepal. There are various snow-covered mountains in this region. Some
of them include Mt Everest, Rolwaling, Langtang, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, etc.
Because of these Himalayas, the region is called the Himalayan Region. The
climate in this region is very cold. There are few human settlements. Potatoes,
barley, buckwheat are the main crops that grow in this region.

The Mountain or the Hilly Region

This region takes up about 68 percent of the total area of the country. It has
high and low hills like foothills (Besi), plateaus (Tars) and valleys. Tumlingtar,
Palungtar, Rumjatar, etc. are the examples of Tars. Kathmandu, Pokhara,
Panchkhal, Surkhet are famous valleys of this region. Climate in this region is
moderate and human settlement is dense. Maize, potatoes, paddy, millet, etc.
are the major crops of the region.

The Terai Region

The lowland region has a width ranging from 40 to 60 km and a maximum
elevation of 600 meters. It occupies about 17 percent of the total land area of
Nepal. This part of the land is plain and is called Terai. It spreads from Mechi
in the east to Mahakali in the west. Musaharniya of Dhanusa, the lowest point
of the country with an altitude of 61 meters, lies in the eastern Terai. There are
big cities like Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj and Butwal in the Terai region.
The climate and soil of Terai are ideal for crops like paddy, wheat, maize, oil
seeds, jute, sugarcane and tobacco. Because of this, it is called the granary of
Nepal. Human population in this region is dense.

Free the Words

landlocked : surrounded by land on all sides
physical features such as rivers and mountains
topography : not too high, not too low
places where people live and have made homes
moderate : very good
store house of grain
human settlement :

ideal :

granary :

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 89

In-class Activities

In the map of Nepal, locate the following places:
Mt. Everest, Dhaulagiri Mountain, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Koshi River

Exercise

1. Complete the following table with the facts and information
mentioned in the lesson.

Geographical region Altitude/ Notable Crops Human
Land places settlement

Himalayan Region

Hillly Region

Terai Region

2. Fill in the blanks.
a. The total area of Nepal is .................................. .
b. It is a landlocked country because it is surrounded by .................. .
c. ............................makes up 15% of the total land area.
d. The Terai region stretches from .............................. to ..................... .

e. The soil of Terai is ................................... .

3. Answer these questions.
a. Write about the physical features of the country.
b. Why are there very few people living in the Himalayan region?
c. What kind of climate is found in the Hilly region?
d. What are the major crops grown in the Terai?
e. Why is Terai region called the granary of Nepal?

4. Write in which region your house lies: Himal, Hills or Terai. Write
about the structure of land around your home.

5. Draw a map of Nepal and show the three physical regions in it.
90 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Lesson Nepal :
Climate and Life-style
5.2

Pre-reading Activities

Look at the picture below. Discuss the questions that follow.

• People living in which region of Nepal wear the dresses shown in
each picture?

• How does climate of a place affect people’s clothing preference?
• Can you think of food habits and other life-style specific to each

region?

Reading

The climate in Nepal varies from one place to another. In the Terai, the hottest
part of the country, summer temperatures can rise up to 400C. The climate
remains warm and humid. In the mid-mountain region, summer weather is
moderate, with temperatures staying around 250-270 C. Winter temperature
ranges from 70C to 230C in the Terai. In the mountains and valleys, it can be
below zero to -120C. The region north of the Himalayas has an alpine climate.
The Kathmandu Valley has a pleasant climate. Climate has an impact on the
life-style and social norms of people in Nepal.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 91

High Himalayan mountain range climate

The high mountains of the Himalayas, above 4000m,
have an alpine climate. Temperatures remain below
0oC and the landscape is covered with snow and ice
throughout the year. There are no human settlements in
this type of climate.

The Himalayan climate

The Himalayan region is cold throughout the year. The
main crops of the region are potato, millet, buckwheat,
barley, etc. Because of cold, people in this region wear
thick clothes. Men wear bakkhu and docha. Women wear pangden. They raise
sheep and yaks. They are also involved in the tourism industry. The chief
inhabitants of this region are the Sherpas, the Thakalis, the Gurungs, the Jirels,
etc.

Hill climate

The hills and valleys have a moderate climate with
a warm summer and a cool winter. The average
temperature varies from 10oC in January to 24oC
in July. In the winter, the climate is pretty cold.
Actually, the climate in the hilly region of Nepal is
ideal. It is neither too hot like in Terai nor too cold
like in the mountains.

The men wear daura, surual, bhoto and kachhad, etc.
The women wear blouse and sari. Occupations
of people include farming, trade and business.
People of various castes live in this region. Some of
them are the Brahmins, the Chhetris, the Gurungs,
the Rais, the Limbus, the Newars, the Magars, the
Tamangs and the Thamis. Majority of them follow
Hinduism, but followers of Buddhism also live
there. Rice, dal, dhindo, are the major food items.

Terai climate

The Terai region has a hot climate. Summers are hot and humid and temperatures
can soar to 40oC. May and June remain hot. Winters in the lower plains are mild
and dry with temperatures averaging between 10oC - 17oC. In July and August,

92 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

it rains heavily. The main occupation of people
here is farming and animal husbandry. Paddy,
wheat, maize, tobacco, sugarcane, jute, and tea
are the chief crops. Mango, banana, jackfruit
are the popular fruits of the region. Because of
the hot climate, most men wear dhoti, kurta,
pants and shirts. Women wear sari, blouse, kurta,
salwar, etc. They eat dal, bhat and roti. The chief
inhabitants of this region are the Yadavs, the
Jhas, the Tharus, the Kayasthas, the Kurmis,
the Satars, the Musahars, the Doms, etc. Most
people speak Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Urdu
and Tharu languages. Hindi is also spoken.

The most notable strength of our country is that
despite varying climate and different lifestyles,
people live in harmony and unity.

Free the Words

humid : warm and damp
moderate : neither too hot nor too cold
alpine : cold, of high mountains
landscape : area of land

In-class Activities

Complete the table below with the facts and information from the lesson.

Geographical Climate People Costume Language Religion Food
region

Himalayan Region
Hillly Region
Terai Region

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 93

Exercise

1. Fill in the blanks.
a. In Terai, the temperature can go up to .................... during summer.
b. In the mid-mountains, temperature in the summer is ....................... .
c. In the high Himalayan mountain region, the temperature
is ........................ .
d. The chief religion of people of hills and valleys is .......................... .
e. ............................. are the main languages spoken by people in the
Terai region.

2. Answer these questions.
a. Which is the hottest region of Nepal?
b. What castes of people live in the hills?
c. Write about the clothing patterns of people in Terai.
d. Why is hill climate considered ideal?
e. Why has the Himalayan region very cold climate?
f. What is the most notable strength of our country?

3. Complete the following:
My name is .............................. . I live in ....................... region. This region

has .............. climate. The temperature in summer ............................. .
People eat ......................... . They wear ........................................ . The main
languages ...................................... . The major inhabitants of this region
are ....................................................................... .

4. Write any two differences between the following:
a. Terai region and Himalaya region
b. Hilly region and Terai region

5. Draw a map of your community that reflects the climate and lifestyle.

94 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Lesson Soils in Nepal

5.3

Pre-reading Activities

Before you begin this lesson, you may go out to the open ground (of course
with your teacher's permission) and collect the soil from the surroundings.
And, with the help of your teacher, discuss the type of soil found around
your school.

Reading

Soil is one of the important natural resources. It is a mixture of minerals,
decayed materials, water, rock particles, etc. that together support life on Earth.
Like climate, soil tends to be different from one region to another. Because of
the diversity of soil, different types of crops grow in the Himalayan, Hilly, and
Terai regions of the country.

Himalayan/Mountain Soil

The northern Himalayan region has glacial or tundra soil. It is composed of
the debris and deposits left by the glaciers. This type of soil is composed of
stones, sand and various kinds of rocks. It is not so suitable for staple crops.
Only potatoes, barley and buckwheat can grow on such soil.

Hilly Soil

Rocky-sandy soil is the most
common soil found in the Hilly
region. It is reddish, gray in
colour and sandy in structure.
The soil is formed of rocks. This
type of soil is ideal for crops
like maize, potato, millet, and
buckwheat. Also, tea, coffee,
cardamom and fruits grow in
some places.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 95

Valley Soil

Lacustrine soil is found in the valleys of Nepal. This type of soil is formed after
the drying up of lakes. It is very fertile. The Kathmandu valley has this type of
soil in abundance because the valley was once a lake. This soil is very good for
growing paddy, wheat and varieties of vegetables.

Bhavar Region Soil

Sandy-stony soil is found in the Chure and Bhavar range. This type of soil is
composed of sand and small pieces of stones. Such soil does not retain water
for a long time. This type of soil is not suitable for agriculture but large trees
grow in such soil.

Terai Soil

Alluvial soil is found in the plains of the Terai region and in the mid-hill valleys
around Kathmandu and Pokhara. Alluvial soil is also found in areas above the
plains, covering a greater part of Terai. This type of soil is good for growing
paddy, wheat, jute, sugarcane, and tobacco.

Free the Words

decay : become rotten
glacial : related to glacier, cold
debris : scattered pieces of rubbish or remains
glacier : a large area of ice that moves down a slope
staple : major
ideal : perfect, favourable
retain : hold

In-class Activities

Complete the table below with the facts and information from the lesson.

Regions Name of soil Crops and grains
Himalayan Soil
Hilly Soil
Valley Soil
Bhavar Region Soil
Terai Soil

96 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

Exercise

1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. Soil structure of Nepal is diverse.
b. In the Himalayan region, paddy grows in plenty.
c. Both valley soil and Terai soil are similar in terms of
fertility.
d. The soil in the Bhavar region is suitable for agriculture.
e. Alluvial soil is not good for crops.

2. Answer these questions.
a. What is soil?
b. Why is soil important?
c. How is glacial soil formed?
d. Name the crops that grow in rocky-sandy soil.
e. How is lacustrine soil formed?
f. What type of soil is found in Kathmandu valley?
g. Which do you think is the best soil? Why?

3. Write about the types of soil found in your district and the crops
that are grown.

4. As a student what role can you play to preserve the fertility of soil
found in your locality?

a. ............................................................................................................ .
b. ............................................................................................................ .
5. Draw a map of Nepal and show different types of soil in it.

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 97

Lesson Vegetation in Nepal

5.4

Pre-reading Activities

Go around your school. Collect different plants and bring them to the class.
Discuss why they are found there.

Reading

Vegetation differs from one climate to another. That means the plants available
in one region may not be available in another region. For example, Yarsha
Gumba, the herbal plant, is found only in the high mountains. Likewise,
jackfruit is found only in the Terai region. The natural vegetation of Nepal
follows the pattern of climate and altitude.

98 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5

In the mountain region the climate is usually cold. However, there are valuable
coniferous forests. The trees available in this region are spruce, fir, cypress,
juniper, cedar and birch. These trees have needle-shaped leaves forming into the
shape of cones. Yarsha Gumba is the most important herb found in this region.

Unlike the mountains, the Hilly Region has moderate climate. The plants and
vegetation of this region include pines, oaks, rhododendrons, poplars, walnuts,
chestnuts, and larches. Uttis and Chilaune are other trees found in this region.
The forest of this region is known as deciduous forest. The feature of this forest
is that trees shed their leaves in winter and regain them in the spring.

The Terai region is hot. It has a tropical climate. The forests in this region consist
mainly of Khair, Sisau, Simal and Sal. It is called tropical evergreen forest. It
remains green throughout the year. Mango, banana, jackfruit and plum grow
in this region.

Forests are important natural resources. We get timber, building material, etc
from forest. Forests also help preserve soil and protect us from landslides and
floods. Forests are also attractions for many tourists visiting Nepal. So we must
preserve our forests and plants.

Free the Words

vegetation : all the plant life in a particular region or period
altitude : height
coniferous : bearing cones and evergreen cone-shaped leaves
deciduous : shedding leaves at the end of the growing season
tropical : hot and humid

In-class Activities

Complete the table below with facts and information from the lesson.

Geographical Type of forest Description of Trees/Plants
region forest that are found

Mountain region

Hilly region

Terai region

Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5 99

Exercise

1. State whether the following statements are True or False.
a. The Hilly region is colder than the mountain region.
b. The trees in deciduous forest have cone-like leaves.
c. Tropical climate is hot climate.
d. Nepal's forests attract tourists and visitors.
e. Nepal is rich is vegetation.

2. Answer these questions.
a. What determines the type of plants and vegetation?
b. What is the main feature of deciduous forest?
c. Why is the forest of Terai region called evergreen forest?
d. What are the benefits of forests?

3. Complete the following paragraph by filling up the blanks with
facts about forest and plants of your region.

I live in ............................. region. The climate of this region is ....................
............. . The forest of my region is called ................................................... .
Trees like ................................................................. are found in this region.

4. Write the name of the vegetations found in your locality.
5. Write down five examples each of evergreen, deciduous, and

coniferous plants.

100 Oasis Social Studies & Creative Arts-5