Revised Subharmbha social 6 2077 for sir ctp

Key Terms and Words:

• Fodder: animal feed, forage
• Floriculture: flower farming
• Horticulture: fruit farming
• Irrigation: watering
• Livestock: cattle
• Pests: bugs
• Sericulture: silkworm rearing
• Subsistence: maintenance, livelihood

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:

1. What is agriculture?
2. What is agro-based industry?
3. What percentage of people is dependent on agriculture?
4. What percentage of land is arable in Nepal?
5. What is subsistence farming?

Short and answer questions:

1. Write down the importance of agriculture in Nepal.
2. Why are agro-based industries essential in Nepal?
3. Analyze the present condition of agriculture in Nepal?
4. What suggestions would you like give to develop agriculture in

Nepal?

Community Based Work:

a. There must be some agro-based industries in and around your
locality. Visit one of them, find out its history, main products, markets
etc, and write a report.

b. Explain the pictures below.

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 201

Lesson Our Service Activities

3

Introduction: Service
Service means the action of helping or doing work for someone. In
economic term, it is a system of supplying a public need such as transport,
communications, or utilities such as electricity, telephone, water, medical
treatment, etc.

Service is a type of economic activity that is intangible, is not stored and
does not result in ownership. A service is consumed at the Points of sale.
Services are one of the two key components of economics, the other being
goods. Examples of services include the transfer of goods, such as the postal
service delivering mail, and the use of expertise or experience, such as a
person visiting a doctor. The service providers charge money for the services
they provide. Service sectors trade and business is expanding every day.

Types of Services

We need different types of services in
every step of our life like transportation,
travel, insurance, communication, health,
education and so on.

The higher the quality and efficiency of
services the better and more comfortable
would be the life of the people. There are
various types of servises.
Health Service
It is difficult to classify services according
to the nature of services. However, we
can classify services into two types according to the service providers like
government and private.

Government Services Sector
It is the primary duty of a government to provide and ensure basic services such
as drinking water, electricity, telephone, health, education, security and so on
to its citizens. Hence, our government has established certain such service

202 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

oriented institutions and corporations. For example: Telecommunication
(Telcom), Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani
Ltd (KUKL), Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC),
Salt Trading Corporation, Bir Hospital, Paropakar Maternity Hospital and so
on. There are many such service
oriented institutions and offices all
over the country.

Their objective is to provide related
services to the people efficiently at
competitive price. But, the quality
and efficiency of the governmental
service providing corporations
and institutions are degrading
day by day. Almost all of these
corporations except Telecom and Nepal Telecommunication

Rastriya Banijya Bank etc are
at loss because of various reasons like government interferences, trade
unionism, inefficient staff etc.

Private Services Sector

As the services sector along the
rapid growth of population is
expanding so much day by day
that it is almost impossible to
provide all necessary services by
the government alone. Hence,
more and more private sectors
are being involved these days
in providing different essential Hotel

services. In fact, the private sector
has been rendering far better quality and efficient services than government
corporations and enterprises.

Private sector has been involved in providing almost all types of services
including educational, medical, health, business, transportation,
communication, tourism, recreational, hotels, restaurants and so on. More
and more involvement of private sector would ensure better quality of
services as there will be competition among them.

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Importance of Services
The importance of services is growing more and more with the advancement
of societies. Services are becoming crucial in a country's development.

• The services sector plays an increasingly important role in the
national economy and the growth and development of the country.

• The growth of services sector will not only provide better services
to the people but also generate
money and employment. It
contributes to the national
economy and help to reduce
poverty and unemployment.

• Service sector has been an important engine of growth in Nepal.
Contribution of service sector to GDP was 20.2% in 1975 and in
2010 service sector contributed 51% in the GDP of Nepal.

• It provides employment to around 22 per cent of the total labour
force.

• Nepal has already become a net service exporting country. There is
a great feasibility for exporting skilled human resources, along with
people from the IT sector.

• Better, faster and more efficient
services save time and resources,
and contribute to the steady
economic growth of the country.
They help in attaining quality of life.

Problems and Solutions
Clearly, Nepal is unable to exploit the services sector market potential
despite having comparative advantage in its trade. The problems faced by
exports sector in general are:

• Inadequate infrastructure, including power outages
• Political instability
• High cost of operation and productions
• Labor militancy, trade unions, lawlessness, labour disputes, bundhs

and strikes
• Lack of human resources, experts, consultants

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• Lack of innovation, research and development (R&D) and over
dependence on market concessions

• Lack of marketing and quality of product
• Lack of proper policies
• Unfair or unhealthy huge competition
• Lack of fair competitiveness

Solutions:

• Improve security, end bundhs and strikes
• Formulate clear policies
• Develop infrastructures
• Enhance technological development
• Encourage foreign investment and private sectors
• Invest on research and development
• Provision of subsidies, credit facilities
• Establishment of training schools

Points to Remember:

F Service is a system of supplying a public need such as transport,
communications, or utilities etc.

F Service is one of the two key components of economics, the other
being goods.

F We need services like transportation, travel, insurance,
communication, health, education and so on.

F According to the types of service providers, services can be broadly
classified as government and private.

F Role of services sectors in national economy is expanding day by day,
more than 50 % contribution to GDP and 20 % of employment is from
this sector.

F Private sector is increasingly doing far better than government sector
in this field.

F Inadequate infrastructure, power shortage, political instability, high
cost of operation and productions labour militancy, trade unionism
and strikes etc are major problems.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Components: parts, composing
• Enterprises: business, company
• Feasibility: workability, practicability
• Innovation: modernization. change
• Intangible: indefinite, obscured
• Militancy: hostility

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:
1. What is meant by services?
2. How many components of economy are there, and what are they?
3. What is the full form of R&D?
4. What is the main difference between government and private
services?
5. What is the share of service sector in the GDP?

Short answer questions:
1. What are the types of services? Explain with examples.
2. The scope of services is expanding every day. Justify this statement
with examples.
3. Describe the importance of services.
4. What are the problems in services sector?
5. Why are the private sectors doing better than government sector in
providing services?
6. What are the measures to be taken to solve the problems in service
sector?

Community Based Work:
There may be a number of institutions and agencies providing various
services in your community. Find out which are governmental and
private of them. Write a report on their services.

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Lesson Agricultural Problems &
Measures To Solve Them
4

There has been given high importance to the development of agriculture
throughout the economic plan since its beginning. However, it is sad to
mention that the agricultural condition is not satisfactory. There are several
factors responsible for such a situation.

Traditional Method of Farming: Traditional methods, equipment and tools
are still widely used. Majority of farmers are illiterate and lack scientific
knowledge, training and skill. Improved seeds and tools, chemicals, fertilizers,
crops rotational practice, etc are not adequate.

Lack of Irrigation: Agriculture still largely
depends on monsoon rain, which is not
that dependable. There are very few
irrigation facilities.

Lack of Credit Facility: Majority of
farmers are poor. They can’t afford to buy
improved seeds, implements, fertilizers
etc. There aren’t bank services available
in rural and remote areas. Taking loan Lack of Irrigation

from the bank is also not easy. Normally,
loan is obtained from local money lenders in high interest rate. Due to various
reasons, farmers can’t repay such loans and are always in debt.

Lack of Transportation and Market: Road Lack of Transportaion & Market
transportation is still not well developed.
Transporting goods to different places
remains difficult, costly and time
consuming. Due to such condition,
proper markets for agricultural products
haven’t yet been developed in rural and
remote areas.

Lack of Agricultural Tools and Fertilizers:
There are no agricultural equipment and chemical manufacturing industries.

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For tools, equipment and chemicals, we have to depend on foreign countries.
Supplies and prices are unpredictable.

Unequal Distribution and Fragmentation of Land: There is no scientific land
reform. Majority of people are farmers but the land is under the control of
a few landlords. Land is too much fragmented and investment is not cost
effective.

Lack of Storage Facilities: Farmers
lack storage facilities. This compels
them to sale their products as soon as
harvested at cheap price. Insects and
pests destroy a lot of crops.

Lack of Research and Development:
Researches and developments (R
& D) are lacking in agricultural field. Lack of Storage Facilities

Farmers aren’t well aware of what they
should do and what they shouldn’t. They have been using the same method,
same seed and technique throughout.

Poor Government Policies and Planning: There lack political will and term
agricultural priorities, policies and planning in agriculture sector. Policies
keep changing.

Possible Solutions
• Enhance technological development.
• Provision of subsidies, credit facilities.
• Provision of agricultural markets.
• Development of irrigation facilities.
• Scientific land reform.
• Diversification of crops.
• Judicial distribution of land.
• Improvement of livestock.
• Co-operative movement.
• Awareness programmes
• Establishment of agricultural training schools.
• Establishment of agro-based and agro-tools industries.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Co-operatives: organizations run by a number of people
• Fragmented: broken into pieces, divided
• Harvested: reaped, collected
• Implements: tools, equipment
• Subsidy: financial help, allowance

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:
1. What is agricultural market?
2. What is meant by fragmentation of land?
3. What is insecticide?

Short and/or long answer questions:
1. Write down the problems of agriculture in Nepal.
2. ‘Unequal distribution of land is one of the main problems for
agricultural development in Nepal’. Explain
3. Although Nepal is rich in water resources, why there lacks irrigation
system? Give reasons.
4. How does poor road condition affect the development of agriculture?
Explain.
5. Write down the ways of developing agriculture in Nepal.
6. A large number of people are farmers. However, there is growing
problem of food shortage, why?
7. What measure should we adopt to solve problems in agriculture?

Community Based Work:
Visit some farm land. Observe how farming is done. Interact with
farmers about their problems, experiences and expectations, and
prepare a report.

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UNIT

8

OUR INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS

In this unit, we will learn about the following subjects:
• International Relations and Co-operation
• SAARC and Nepal
• Contemporary Issues

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Lesson International Relations &
Co-operation
1

Introduction: International Relation
International Relation (IR) can be compared with human relation. Some
people are friendly and accommodative whereas some are quarrelsome.
Some are rich and some are poor. Similarly, some countries are rich and
powerful and some are poor and weak. Some countries create troubles and
others try to find ways to resolve them.
The relation, which a country maintains with other countries, two or more
than two countries, is called International Relation. Such a relation is very
important in today’s world. No country: big or small; rich or poor can survive
alone. They need others help in a number of areas.

Introduction: Co-operation
It is a situation in which people or organizations or countries work together
to achieve a result that will benefit all of them. It involves the action or
process of working together to the same end. It is the process of working
or acting together for the common/mutual benefit, as opposed to working
in competition for selfish benefit. Many animal and plant species cooperate
both with other members of their own species and with members of other
species.

Introduction: International Understanding
International Understanding is a feeling that the individual is not only a
member of a State, but a member of the world. It is essential for us not
to live apart but to live together. Understanding one another’s fears and
anxieties, aspirations and thoughts are important. We must work for social,
religious and racial harmony. We may be Nepali, we may be Indian, we may
be Chinese but we are essentially human beings. We should learn to live in
a global community.
There should be no discrimination against anybody or any nation on the basis
of caste, creed and colour etc. We all should have adequate knowledge and
understanding of the cultures of different countries.

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International peace and mutual understanding is the need of the time. The
International Organizations like UNO is doing its best to promote brotherhood,
peaceful co-existence among the people of the globe.

Nepal’s Foreign Policy

Nepal is a peace loving country. It always wants to maintain friendly relation
with both the neighbouring and friendly countries around the world. It pursued
a policy of isolation throughout the rule of the Ranas. Once the Rana ruled
ended and democracy established in 1951 AD, Nepal opened up itself to the
outside world. Since then, it has established diplomatic relations with many
countries. Its number now has reached about 140. They are helping directly
or indirectly for peace processing as well as technical and financial aid. It
has established an ambassadorial level of relationship with as many as 27
countries. The number of embassies is gradually increasing with the pace of
the speedy world.

Foreign policy of Nepal is guided by the abiding faith in the UNO and policy
of non-alignment.It is founded on the principles of ‘Panchasheela’: five
principles of peaceful co-existence:

(a) Non-interference (b) Non-violence

(c) Non-aggression (d) Peaceful co-existence

(e) Sovereign equality and territorial integrity.

Member of the UNO and NAM
Nepal became a member of the UNO in 1955 AD. Since then, it
has taken very active role in supporting the UN activities both at
home and abroad.

Nepal has been participating in the UN peace keeping operations since
1958. It has contributed so far more than 100,000 Nepali troops and a few
thousands of police and armed police in these peace operations. There has
been always a high demand and appreciation of our troops. Nepal is one
of the major troops contributing countries. It is the result of our successful
foreign policy and professionalism of our troops. There are about 3,500
troops deployed under the UN flag at present.

Nepal is also an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). NAM
was established in Bandung of Indonesia in 1955 AD. Nepal is like a ‘Yam’
between two boulders. Hence, she pursues the policy of non-alignment. She

212 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

doesn’t take side of any power on any issues. She takes her own independent
course on critical foreign issues. She raises voice against any injustice and
exploitation taking place anywhere. This has enhanced her position in the
comity of nations. This has benefited Nepal a lot.

Nepal is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-
operation (SAARC). The SAARC secretariat is located in Kathmandu. Lately,
it has been a member of many other international organizations and UN
specialized agencies. Through these organizations and agencies, Nepal has
been contributing to the world peace, security and development.

Nepal has also been taking active parts in sports and games by participating
and organizing international and regional games. Nepal has organized South
Asian Games (SAG) and SAARC Foot Ball Tournament, and other important
tournaments successfully. Such activities foster friendship, understanding
and co-operation among the people and nations.

Many people from around the world visit Nepal every year. They come to
Nepal to enjoy the natural beauty, adventure tourism and hospitality of our
friendly people. They interact with our people. They become good friends
of ours and contribute largely towards international co-operation and
understanding. On the other hand, our own people are also visiting foreign
countries in increasing number. All these enhance our friendly relation with
other people and countries.

Points to Remember:

F The relation, which a country maintains with other countries, is called
International Relation.

F Nepal pursued a policy of isolation throughout the rule of the Ranas.
F Nepal has established diplomatic relations with about 140 countries.
F Understanding one another’s fears and anxieties, aspirations and

thoughts are important.
F International Understanding is a feeling of being a member of the world.
F Nepal’s foreign policy is founded on the principles of ‘Panchasheela’:

five principles of peaceful co-existence.
F Nepal is a member of UNO, NAM, SAARC and many other international

organizations.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Accommodative: welcoming
• Appreciation: recognition, thankfulness
• Enhance: to expand, to extend
• Foster: promote, support
• Hospitality: friendliness
• Professionalism: expertise, polished skill

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:
1. What is the full form of NAM?
2. What is the full form of SAG?
3. When was NAM established?
4. When did Nepal become a member of The UNO?

Short answer questions:
1. What is an International Relation? Why is it important?
2. What is co-operation and understanding?
3. What are the foundations of Nepalese Foreign Policy?
4. What is the ‘Non-aligned Movement’?
5. What are the roles played by Nepal for maintaining international
peace and security?
6. How do games and sports help in fostering mutual cooperation and
understanding?

Long answer question.
1. Why does Nepal need international relationship and cooperation?
Explain it in a couple of paragraphs.

Community Based Work:
If there are disputes between two parties of people in your community
on some important issue, how do you help resolve the problem? Prepare
your plan of action.

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Lesson SAARC and Nepal

2

Introduction

The South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an
organization of South Asian nations. It
was established on 8 December 1985.
Its founding member countries are
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan was included as the eighth
member of SAARC at the Dhaka summit
held in Bangladesh in 2005 A.D.

It is established to promote economic, Map of South Asia Countries
social and cultural development within
the South Asia region. It also promotes
friendship and co-operation with other developing countries. It emphasizes
collective self-reliance.

Meetings of heads of state are
usually scheduled annually. It is
headquartered in Kathmandu,
Nepal. The SAARC logo shows
two hands joining together.
There are seven doves in
between the two hands.
The two hands symbolize
friendship and goodwill. It
was designed by Nepali artist
Shailendra Maharjan.

Objectives
• to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve
their quality of life;

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• to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural
development in the region

• to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of
one another's problems

• to promote collaboration in the economic, social, cultural, technical
and scientific fields

• to strengthen co-operation with other developing countries
• to strengthen co-operation
• to maintain peace in the region

Principles
• Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, political equality and
independence of all members states
• Non-interference in the internal matters
• Cooperation for mutual benefit
• All decisions to be taken unanimously and need a quorum of all
eight members
• All bilateral issues to be kept aside and only multilateral (involving
many countries) issues to be discussed

Secretariat

The Secretariat consists of
a Secretary General and 8
Directors, one each from
the member countries. The
Secretary General is appointed
by the Council of Ministers
from Member Countries in an
alphabetical order for a three-
year term. The first Secretary SAARC Secretariat

General was Mr Abdul Hassan
from Bangladesh. The 18th SAARC Summit has appointed Mr. Arjun Bahadur
Thapa for this prestigious post.

The Secretariat coordinates and monitors implementation of SAARC
activities. It prepares for SAARC summit and meetings. It serves as a channel
of communication between the Association and its Member States as well
as other regional organizations.

216 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

The SAARC Secretariat and Member States observe 8 December as the
SAARC Charter Day. SAARC expenses are borne by each of the SAARC
countries. India pays the highest: 30.32%, and Pakistan 22.52%, Nepal,
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka 10.72% each, and the rest 5% each. The SAARC
Secretariat is supported by Regional Centres established in Member States
to promote regional co-operation.

Nepal’s Role in SAARC
Nepal is one of the founding members of the SAARC. The late King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shah had played very important role in its establishment. Nepal
has been actively promoting the ideals and principles of the SAARC. Nepal
is collaborating with other SAARC members in dealing various issues like
terrorism, human trafficking, drug abuses etc.

Two of the important SAARC structures, the Secretariat and SAARC
Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre, are located in Nepal. The Secretariat is
at Tri Devi Marg, Thamel and the Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre at Sano
Thimi, Bhaktapur. Besides these, SAARC Information Centre and SAARC
Economic Union are also located in Kathmandu.

• Nepal hosted the 3rd (1987) 11th (2002) summits, 18th in 2014.
• Nepal hosted the first and eighth South Asian Games (SAG).
• Nepali diplomat Mr Yadav KentaSlaw served as a General Secretary

of the SAARC, and another diplomat Mr Arjun Bahadur Thapa is the
current Secretary General.
• Nepal contributes to the SAARC expenses and 8,000 metric ton of
food grains to the SAARC Food Bank (food security reserve).

Eighteenth SAARC Summit
The Eighteenth SAARC summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 26-27
November 2014. It was attended by Ashraf Ghani - President of Afghanistan,
Sheikh Hasina Wajed - President of Bangladesh, Tshering Tobgay - Prime
Minister of Bhutan, Narendra Modi- Prime Minister of India, Nawaz Sharif -
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Abdulla Yameen - President of Maldives, Mahinda
Rajapaksa - President of Sri-Lanka and Sushil Koirala - Prime Minister
of Nepal. The 18th summit wrapped up in Kathmandu on Thursday, 27
November issuing a 36- point Kathmandu Declaration. The SAARC framework
agreement on energy cooperation (electricity) was signed as the two day

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 217

summit concluded. The summit adopted the declaration with a motto of
"Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity" to deepen cooperation in core
areas of trade, investment, finance, energy, infrastructure and connectivity.
It decided to held the Nineteenth Summit in Pakistan in 2016 A.D.

Points to Remember:

F SAARC was established on 8 December 1985 with its secretariat in
Kathmandu.

F It aims to promote economic, social and cultural development within
the South Asia Region.

F SAARC logo has seven doves between two hands joining together
symbolizing friendship and goodwill.

F SAARC Secretariat and Member States observe 8 December as the
SAARC Charter Day.

F SAARC Charter requires the heads of state or government to meet
once a year.

F The Nineteenth summit is to be held in Pakistan.

Key Terms and Words:

• Accelerate: expedite, increase speed
• Collaboration: co-operation
• Envisaged: foresaw, anticipated, had in mind
• Forums: meeting, conference
• Integrity: honour, uprightness
• Sovereignty: supremacy, right to decide
• Symbolize: signify, mean
• Unanimously: of one mind, collectively
• Quorum: majority, minimum attendance

218 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:

1. What is the full form of SAARC?
2. When was the SAARC established?
3. How many summits have been held so far and where is the next

summit going to be held?
4. Who is the current General Secretary of the SAARC?
5. Who designed the SAARC logo?
6. How many countries are there in the SAARC?
7. What is the theme of 18th SAARC Summit?

Short answer questions:

1. What are the objectives of the SAARC? Write.
2. Draw and explain the logo of the SAARC.
3. What are the principles of the SAARC?
4. How is the SAARC trying to raise the living standard of the people in

this region?
5. List out the names of the SAARC member countries from the largest

to the smallest.
6. Describe Nepal’s roles in the SAARC.
7. Describe 18th SAARC Summit in brief.

Community Based Work:

There may be a club in your community. Find out what type of a club is
this? Who, when and with what objectives founded this club? Presently,
what activities are being undertaken and how people are benefited?
Write a report.

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 219

Lesson Contemporary
Global Issues
3

Climate Change and Global Warming
The climate is changing. The earth is warming
up, and there is now overwhelming scientific
consensus that it is happening. It is human-
induced. While global warming is on the
increase, species and their habitats are on the
decrease. It means chances for ecosystems
to adapt naturally are diminishing.
Many agree that climate change may be one
of the greatest threats facing the planet.
Recent years show increasing temperatures
in various regions. There are increasing extremities in weather patterns.

Global Dimming
Research has shown that air pollutants
from fossil fuel use make clouds reflect
more of the sun’s rays back into space.
This leads to an effect known as global
dimming. It means less heat and energy
reaches the earth. It is believed that global
dimming caused the droughts in Ethiopia
in the 1970s and 80s where millions died.
It was because the northern hemisphere
oceans were not warm enough to allow rain
formation. Global dimming is also hiding the true power of global warming.

Reptiles Threatened By Climate Change,
Deforestation, Habitat Loss, Trade
The BBC reported on a “global-scale study” published
in the journal Science that found climate change
could wipe out 20% of the world's lizard species by
2080.

220 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

Global projection models used by the scientists suggested that “lizards have
already crossed a threshold for extinctions caused by climate change”.

The fear of lowland species moving to higher elevations has long been
predicted as an effect of climate change. This has been observed with lizard
populations too.

Why are lizards so sensitive to climate change?
Lizards, the researchers say, are far more susceptible to climate-warming
extinction than previously thought. Many species live right at the edge of
their “thermal limits”.

Rising temperatures leave lizards unable to spend sufficient time foraging
for food, as they have to rest and regulate their body temperature.

Green vine snake amongst the
reptiles facing extinction.
More generally, 19% of the world’s reptiles are
estimated to be threatened with extinction,
according to a study by the International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the
Zoological Society of London.

Reptiles include species such as snakes, lizards, crocodiles,
turtles and tortoises.

The study noted that the extinction risk is not
evenly spread. For example, the study estimated
30% of freshwater reptiles to be close to extinction.
Freshwater turtles alone are at a 50% risk of
extinction, as they are also affected by national and
international trade.

Why are reptiles so sensitive to
environmental conditions?

Reptiles are often associated with extreme habitats
and tough environmental conditions, so it is easy to
assume that they will be fine in our changing world.

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However, many species are very highly specialized in terms of habitat use
and the climatic conditions they require for day to day functioning. This
makes them particularly sensitive to environmental changes.
According to Dr Monika Böhm, almost one in five reptiles struggling to
survive, IUCN, February 15, 2013
Declining Amphibian Populations
Amphibians are particularly sensitive to changes in the environment.
Amphibians have been described as a marker species or the equivalent of
“canaries of the coal mines” meaning they provide an important signal to the
health of biodiversity; when they are
stressed and struggling, biodiversity
may be under pressure. When
they are doing well, biodiversity is
probably healthy.
Unfortunately, as has been feared
for many years now, amphibian
species are declining at an alarming
rate.
The Golden Toad of Montverde,
Costa Rica was among the first
casualties of amphibian declines. Formerly abundant, it was last seen in
1989.

Points to Remember:

F Global warming is on the increase, species and their habitats are on
the decrease.

F Many agree that climate change may be one of the greatest threats
facing the planet.

F Air pollutants from fossil fuel use make clouds reflect more of the
sun’s rays back into space leading to an effect known as global
dimming whereby less heat and energy reaches the earth.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Adapt: accommodate
• Decline : to become less
• Dimming: darkening, tarnishing
• Droughts: lack of rainfall
• Enthusiastically: busily, painstakingly
• Foraging : exploring, hunting
• Humility: humbleness, modesty
• Induced: persuaded
• Swath: fodder, hay, grass
• Susceptible : exposed, affected
• Threshold: brink, verge, edge
• "Thermal limits" : the limit of heat

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:

1. What is climate change ?
2. Who is responsible for climate change ?
3. What are the indications of climate change ?
4. What was the cause of droughts of Ethiopia in 1917s?
5. Why is climate changing?
6. What is the full form of BBC?
7. What is global dimming?
8. Why are reptiles so sensitive to environmental conditions?
9. Why are the amphibians declining?
10. Why are the low land species moving to higher elevation?
11. What do you understand by "thermal limits".
12. What is the full form of IUCN.
13. What are amphibians?
14. Why are amphibians called marker species?
15. What is the equivalent of canaries of the coal mines?

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 223

UNIT

9

POPULATION
EDUCATION

In this unit, we will learn about the following subjects:
• Introduction and Importance of Population
• Population Composition, Distribution and Status
• Factors of Population Change

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Lesson Introduction and
Importance of Population
1

Introduction: Population
Population means the total number of people living in a certain place in
a certain time. It includes size, distribution, composition, and change of
population. Population is dynamic in nature. It doesn’t remain constant. It
keeps changing. Birth, death and migration cause population change. The
term population is derived from latin word 'populus' that means 'people'. So
it refers to all human beings of a certain places.
Population is characterized by birth, death, migration, literacy, census,
density, life expectancy, growth, dependency group, sex ratio etc.
It includes children, youths, adults and old people living in a certain place,
village, town, district, region or a country for a specific time period. The
population is described by time, area, number and kind. So, time is the most
important and crucial parameter which describes population.
Population Size: It tells us the total number of people in a place in a certain
period of time. It includes both the male and female. Different places have
different size of population. It is dynamic. Birth, death and migration are
the factors of population change. It also depends upon the facilities and the
opportunities of certain place.
Population Distribution: It means how the people are dispersed over
a particular place. It is related with density, and differs according to the
ecological belt.

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Composition of Population: It is assorting of population on the basis of age,
sex, caste, religion, language, occupation and socio-economic status.
Population Change: It means increase or decrease in number.
Census: The counting process of the total number of people living in a
particular place is known as census. In Nepal census is taken in every 10
years. The latest census was taken in 2068 (2011).

Current Situation of Population in Nepal
Size of Population: The size of population of Nepal according to the latest
population census 2068 is 2,64,94,504. Among them, 12,849,041
(48.5%) and 13,645,463 (51.5 %) numbers of people are male and female
respectively. The annual population growth rate is 1.35%.
Population Density: Density of population means the number of people living
in per square kilometer of land. It is calculated by dividing the total number
of population by the total land area of that place. The average density of
population in Nepal is 180 per persons per km2. The density of population
is highest in Kathmandu (4416 person per km2) and lowest in Manang (3
persons per km2)respectively. Similarly Terai has the highest and mountain
has the lowest density of population.
Density of population depends upon various factors like facilities such as
education, health, employment, transportation, communication, security,
entertainment etc.

Importance of Population
The development of a country and
population are like two sides of a coin.
A country cannot develop without
population and without development the
population cannot enjoy the facilities.
Human beings want comfortable and
prosperous life. It is possible only if the
country is developed. A country needs skilled and semi-skilled human
resource to develop the country. These human resources will utilize the
country’s natural resources and means rationally and effectively and bring
about development. In other words, a country needs quality human and not
the quantity human resource.

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At present population growth has become a global problem. No country is
free from population explosion. There should be balance between population
and natural means and resources. Population should not be more than
available means and resources of the country. The proper balance between
population and natural means and resources is the key to development of a
country. Some of the importance of population are as follows:

a. Population is necessary for the development and welfare of the
country.

b. Population is needed for utilization of available means and resources
of a country.

c. Population is important for the conservation of environment.
d. Better is the quality of population, faster will be the pace of

development.
e. Skilled population bring development and make the country

economically strong.
f. Proper management of population will help to maintain quality of life.

Points to Remember:

F Population, which is dynamic and changing, means the total number
of people in a certain place in a certain time.

F Population is characterized by birth, death, migration, literacy, census,
density, life expectancy, growth, dependency group, sex ratio etc.

F Population distribution, which is related with density, is dispersal of
people over a specific place.

F Population composition is assorting of population on the basis of age,
sex, caste, religion, etc.

F Counting of the total number of people living in a particular place is
known as census.

F Nepal’s population according to the census of 2068 is 26,494,504,
(male 48.5%,female 51.5 %).

F Density of population means the number of people living in per square
kilometer of land.

F Nepal’s average density is 180, highest in Kathmandu (4416) and
lowest in Manang (3) per sq km.

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 227

Key Terms and Words:

• Global: relating to the whole world
• Pace: step, stride
• Parameter: something that decides or limits the way in which something

is done
• Stable: firmly fixed

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:

1. Define Population.
2. What is census?
3. When was the last census taken?
4. What is the present annual population growth of Nepal?
5. What is density of population?
6. What is the average density of population of Nepal?
7. What is the highest and lowest population density of Nepal?
8. What is the most important parameter in describing population?
9. What does the density depend on ?

Short answer questions

1. Population and development are like two sides of a coin. Explain.
2. What are the factors that affect the density of population of a place?
3. List the importance of population.
4. What is meant by population size? What is the total population size

of Nepal according to the census of 2068 B.S.?

Community Based Work:
a. Visit any five houses in your neighbourhood and complete the given
table.

House Number Number of Female Number of Male Total

b. Draw a full page outline map of Nepal. Show the density of population
of Terai, Hill and Mountain using the given colours:

i. Terai: Red Colour ii. Hill: Yellow Colour iii. Mountain: Blue

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Lesson Population Composition,
Distribution and Status
2

Population Composition
Population composition is the study of population on the basis of age, sex,
caste or ethnic groups, religion, language and occupation etc. They are the
basic components of population composition and very important in order to
study the total structure of the population of a particular place. The study of
the population composition helps:

a. to know the ratio of male and female.
b. to know which age group they belong to.
c. to know in which occupation are they employed.
d. to help the government and other organizations to formulate plans or polices.

Population Composition by Age
Population composition by age refers to the study of population of a place or a
country on the basis of various age groups. It shows the number of people of
different age groups. The population of a place is divided into three different
age groups, 0 - 14, 15 – 59 and 60 years and above, to make the demographic
study systematic, relevant and scientific.

Generally, the population of age group between 15 to 59 years is known as
economically active or independent population. The people below the age of
14 years and 60 years and above are considered as economically inactive
or dependent population.

According to the census 2068, our population has the following structure
regarding age:

Population Composition of Nepal by Age

Age Group Population Percent
34.91
0-14 92, 48, 246 56.96
15-59 1,50, 91, 848 8.13
60 + 21, 54, 410 100.00

Total 2,64, 94, 504 (Source: CBS, 2011)

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Population Composition by Sex/Gender
The classification of population on the basis of sex or gender is called
population composition by sex. We can easily find the population composition
by sex if we mention male and female while counting the number of people.
In some places males are more in number whereas in other places females
are more in number. Male or female population is more or less equal in most
of the places.

Population Composition of Nepal by Sex

Sex Population Percentage

Male 12,849,041 48.50

Female 13,645,463 51.50

Total 26,494,504 100.00

(Source: CBS, 2011)

The population composition by sex helps us to know about the number of
males and females in a society or country. It helps in making plans and
policies related to gender empowerment.

Population Composition by Caste and Ethnic Groups
The classification of population of a country on the basis of caste or ethnic
group is called population composition by caste or ethnic groups. Nepal is
known as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country. There are
125 castes and ethnic groups in Nepal according to the census of 2011 AD.
The lowest population is that of Kusunda at only 273.

Population Composition of Nepal by Castes and Ethnic
Groups

Caste Chhettri Brahmin Magar Tharu Tamang Newar Kami Muslim Yadav Rai

% 12.2 7.1 6.6 5.8 5.0 4.8 4.4 4.0 2.3 16.6

(Source: CBS, 2011)

Similarly, there are 123 languages spoken as mother tongue according
to census 2011. The earlier census of 2001 showed only 92 languages.
The increase in the number of languages is that the people have become
conscious about their languages, culture and identity.

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Languages spoken by the people of Nepal of the total population are as
follow:

Population Composition of Nepal by Language

Nepali- 44.6% Maithali- 11.7% Bhojpuri- 6.0% Tharu- 5.8% Tamang- 5.1%
Newari- 3.2% Bajjika- 3.0% Magar- 3.0 %
Doteli- 3.0 % Urdu- 2.6 %

(Source: CBS, 2011)

According to the census 2068 BS, there are ten main religions in Nepal. They
are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, Christianity, Prakriti, Bon, Jainism,
Bahai and Sikhism.

Population composition by occupation refers to the percentage of population
who is involved or engaged in particular occupation. It helps to know how
many people are involved in what kind of occupation or profession. It will
help to know the economic activities of the people and the economic
development of the country. It shows the number of people who are actively
involved in income generating activities. Similarly, plans and policies can be
made by the government to provide employment opportunities for adults in
the country. Agriculture, industry, trade and services are the occupations of
the people in our country.

Population Distribution
Population distribution means the arrangement of population according to
geographical regions and administrative regions. Nowhere in the world we
find equal distribution of population. Places which are sparsely populated
have few people because such places are difficult to live in. Places which
are densely populated have more people because such places have suitable
environment to live.

Normally, population distribution refers to the distribution of people on the
basis of geographical structure, regional division and administrative units.

Population Distribution of Nepal
Geographically, Nepal is divided into three ecological regions. They are:
Terai Region, Hilly Region and Mountain Region. Population is very unevenly
distributed in these three ecological regions.

The causes for unequal distribution of population are diversity in landform,
climate, soil and available means and natural resources. Similarly, population

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 231

will be more in places where there are well developed infrastructures like
transport, communication, employment, education, health services etc.
The Terai region of our country has better infrastructures along with plain
land, fertile soil and favourable climate for agriculture. The concentration
of population is very high in Terai region compared to Hill and Mountain
regions.

Population Distribution of Nepal by Geographical Regions

Geographical Regions Population Percent ( % )
Mountain 17,81,792 6.73
Hill 1,13,94,007 43.00
Terai 1,33,18,705 50.27
Total 2,64,94,504 100.00

(Source: CBS, 2011)

Population Distribution by Development Regions

Development Regions Population Percentage

Eastern Development Region 58,11,555 21.93

Central Development Region 96,56,985 36.45

Western Development Region 49,26,765 18.60

Mid-Western Development Region 35,46,682 13.39

Far-Western Development Region 25,52,517 9.63

Total 2,64,94,504 100.00

(Source: CBS, 2011)

Key Terms and Words:

• Conscious: aware
• Economy: the state of a country or a region in terms of the production

and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money
• Relevant: applicable, appropriate
• Scientific: relating to, systematic

232 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:

1. What do you understand by population composition.
2. What is meant by population composition by age.
3. Which age group of population is economically active?
4. Define population composition by sex/gender.
5. How many castes and ethnic groups are there in Nepal?
6. How many languages are spoken in Nepal?
7. Define population distribution.
8. Which is the smallest ethnic group of people in Nepal ?

Short answer questions:

1. Into how many age groups the population of a country is divided.
Write in brief.

2. Why is the study of population composition by age important?
3. What is indicated by the study of population composition by occupation?
4. Why is there unequal distribution of population?
5. Which geographical region of Nepal is densely populated and why?
6. Why are hill and mountain regions of Nepal sparsely populated?
7. Why is it important to study population composition ?

Community Based Work:

Visit at least 10 houses of your neighbourhood. Prepare a brief report on
‘Population Composition of My Community.” Collect data and information
and complete the column given below:

Neighbour’s No of No of No Caste/ Religions Language Occupation
Name Children Adults of Ethnic
Old Groups
1.
2.

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Lesson Factors of Population
Change
3

The increase and decrease in the number of people is called population
change. Population is dynamic in nature. It never remains the same.
Population keeps on changing with the time and situation. The three factors
which bring about changes in population are:

Factors of Population Change

Birth Death Migration

Birth
The most important factor of population increase is birth. The members
of the family will increase with the birth of a child. It also increases the
population of a place and the country as a whole. Birth is a natural process.
So, it is the foremost factor of population change.
Fertility refers to the actual reproductive performance of a woman or group
of women. In other words, fertility means to actual give birth to a baby. On
the other hand fecundity refers to the biological capacity of a woman to give
birth to a child. Fecundity or the child bearing period of a woman is from 15
to 49 years of age.

Death
The second factor which brings a change in population is death. Death
refers to the permanent disappearance of all evidence of life after birth has
taken place. Death decreases the population of a place and the country and
brings about change in population. Death occurs due to several reasons
such as old age, disease, accident etc. Death is inevitable. It is also a natural
process. The present death rate has decreased in comparison to the past.
This is due to improvements in health sector and people becoming aware
about health, hygiene and sanitation.

Migration
The third factor to bring about change in population is migration. Migration
refers to the movement of people from one place to another. Migration can

234 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

be permanent, temporary, voluntary or forced. It is an artificial factor of
population change. Migration can occur as a result of push and pull factors.
Push factors are those which force a person to move. These include, lack of
employment, over population, drought, famine and civil war. Pull factors are
those which attract a person to move in a particular place. These include
employment opportunity, better education, better health facilities and better
standard of living. There are two types of migration.

Types of Migration

a. Internal Migration
b. International Migration

Internal Migration: The movement of
people from one place to another within
the country or region is called internal
migration. Internal migration does not
bring any changes in population within
the country. Yet, the population of the
place of origin will decrease and the
place of destination will increase. For
example, if a person moves from Dipayal Internal Migration

to Kathmandu, then the population of
Dipayal will decrease and that of Kathmandu will increase.

The tendency of people migrating from mountains and hills to Terai is
increasing in Nepal. People migrate due to the facilities of employment,
education, health, transport, communication, electricity etc. This has created
imbalance in the population distribution of the country.

International Migration: The movement International Migration
of the people from one country to
another is called international migration.
International Migration affects the
population of the country. It causes
increase of population in the destination
country and decrease of population in
the origin country.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Civil War: a war between groups of people in the same country
• Destination: the place to which one is going or directed
• Dynamic: constant change
• Drought: a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain
• Famine: an extreme shortage of food in the country
• Inevitable : certain, destined
• Origin: source, the Points or place from where something comes into existence

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions

1. What do you mean by population change.
2. What are the factors of population change?
3. What do you mean by fertility?
4. What is meant by fecundity?
5. What is the fecundity period of a woman?
6. What is migration? Write its types.
7. What is the natural and artificial factor of migration?

Short answer questions

1. What are the factors of population change? Describe in brief.
2. Define push and pull factors of migration with examples.
3. Which type of migration affects the population of a country and why?
4. What are the natural and artificial factors of population change? Why

are they called so?

Community Based Works:

a. Collect the data of your neighbourhood under the following headings
and present in the class.

i. No of Births ii. No of Deaths

iii. No of Internal Migration iv. No of International migration.

b. Collect information, news and data about present trend of migration
in Nepal. Discuss in the class about its causes, effects and solutions.

236 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

UNIT

10

POPULATION GROWTH
AND MANAGEMENT

In this unit, we will learn about the following subjects:
• Rapid Population Growth and Its Effects
• Management of Population
• Challenges of Population Management
• Population Management Measures
• Roles of Local Organizations & Agencies in Population Management
• Population & Its Relations With Other Subjects

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Lesson Rapid Population Growth
and Its Effects
1

Factors of Population Growth

An increase in the number of people that reside in a particular place, village,
town, city, state, or country is called population growth. There are various
reasons for population growth. They are as follows:

a. More birth than death
b. Low infant mortality rate
c. Early marriage
d. In-migration or Immigration
e. Development in health services and facilities
f. Gender inequality
g. Illiteracy
h. Poverty
i. Religious, social and traditional values and beliefs

j. Unemployment

Effects of Population Growth

The effects of population growth are varied and vast. The growing population
means growing needs and wants. In order to meet the needs and wants of
growing population, there should be increase in developmental activities. As
a result, natural resources will be over exploited and become scarce. This
will hamper the social and economic development of a country. Some of the
effects of population growth are as
follows:

Scarcity of Food: Human beings Scarcity of Food
need food for their survival. The
production of food grains requires
cultivable land. Such lands are
being used for constructing
buildings, houses, roads, industries
etc for the growing population. The
production of food grain is not

238 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

increasing in proportion to the growing population. The cultivable or
agricultural land is decreasing and scarcity of food is increasing. People are
suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Low Quality Housing or Settlement: A quality
housing requires a yard, electricity, enough
sunlight, fresh air, drinking water, drainage,
road etc. There is scarcity of such houses
due to huge growth of population. People are
compelled to live in a low quality houses or a
rooms with a large number of family members.

In order to fulfill the demands of housing, forest
areas are destroyed for settlement. As a result, there occur landslides,
floods, soil erosion, drought and famine. Such a phenomenon causes harm
to all living beings.

Quality of Education Degrades: Increase in population growth requires more
number of educational institutions, teachers, text books, teaching materials
and other physical facilities. But, it may not possible to manage quality
education with the limited means and resources of the country. Similarly,
parents cannot afford to give good education to many children.

Poor Health Services: Health
services and facilities should
be in proportion to the growing
population. This may not be
possible if the population is
too big. Poor health services
and facilities mean unhealthy
population. Such a population is Poor Health Services

a burden to the country than an
asset. At present, only 20 people out of 100 have access to health services
and facilities.

Unemployment Increases: The opportunities for employment should
increase with the increase in population. This requires development in
various sectors like agriculture, industry, trade and services. Nepal is lagging
behind in development. It is still the least developed country. It is very difficult
to provide employment to a large population. Many of our active human

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 239

resources are currently unemployed. Significant amount of human resource
is being a wasted. Many of our youths are going abroad for employment.
Such a situation is not good for socio-economic health status of a country.

Environmental Pollution Increases: The rapid population growth causes
environmental pollution or environmental degradation. The increase number
of houses, settlements, industries, factories, vehicles, sewages, wastes and
dirt pollutes the environment. It causes air, water and noise pollution. People
will suffer from various air-borne and water-borne diseases. Noise pollution
causes loss of hearing and heart
problem.

Farmers use excessive chemical Environment Pollution
fertilizers and pesticides to have
more production. This will cause
soil pollution or the fertility of the
soil will decline. The production
and quality will decrease. Most of
the cultivable and marginal lands
have been turned in to settlement
areas due to population growth.
All these invite natural calamities.

Points to Remember:

F An increase in the number of people in a particular place is called
population growth.

F There are various causes for population growth: more birth than death,
low infant mortality rate, early marriage, in-migration or immigration,
illiteracy, poverty, religious beliefs and values.

F The effects of population growth are varied and vast.
F Rapid population growth causes food shortage, unemployment, ill

health, pollution, and degrades quality of life.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Compel: force to do something
• Exploit: make good use of
• Hamper: slow down or prevent the movement or progress
• Malnutrition: the state of not having enough food or not eating the right

food
• Scarce: too small of available quantity to meet the demand

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions:

1. Why are people suffering from hunger and malnutrition?
2. Where is the maximum growth of population and why?
3. What is called quality education?
4. What is the most adverse effect of population growth?
5. Give two examples of air-borne and water-borne diseases.
6. How do people suffer from noise pollution?

Short answer questions:

1. Define population growth.
2. What are the causes of population growth?
3. How does population growth cause scarcity of food?
4. What will be the effect of population growth on education of a

country?
5. How does population growth cause unemployment problem?
6. How is the health affected by the rapid growth of population?
7. What are the causes and consequences of environmental pollution?

Long answer question:
1. Write a letter to your sister explaining the factors of population
growth with some alternatives.

Community Based Work:
Prepare a note on positive and negative effects of population growth in
your community. Present the note in the class. Compare the notes with
others.

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Lesson Management of
Population
2

Introduction
We already know what the population is and the
causes and consequences of rapid population
growth. There are limited means and resources
in comparison to the high growth of population.
Humans get all necessary things from the
environment. It is essential that a good relation
between humans and natural resources should
be maintained.

Population growth is a serious problem for
developing countries. It causes different kinds of
socio-economic problems. It disturbs economic
development. It has adverse effects on the
overall standard of family life. If there is balance
between the population and environment, then
only individuals, family, society and the country
can be prosperous and happy.

People’s basic needs such as food, shelter, cloth, education, health, water
and security etc must be met. When these needs are fulfilled, our life will
be happy. Attainment of happy life is what we all aim for. But, it is difficult to
achieve these due to rapid population growth.

What Population Management Is Population Management
Population management is
adopting all the techniques
towards maintaining a balance
between the population size and
the environment in a particular
place. It involves management
of the population of a place. It
should be done according to

242 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

the available means and resources of a place. It is carried out by adopting
two methods: by controlling the growth rate and size of population and by
distributing the population properly according to the ecological regions.

Population management involves primarily techniques of population control
and population distribution.

The objective of population management is to control the unnecessary
growth of population and maintain the environment. It is done so that there
is well-managed population size and sustainable environment in which all
human beings can lead a quality of life without affecting the environment.

Importance of Population Management
All human beings want to have happy and satisfied life in which all their basic
needs are easily fulfilled. But it will not be so easy to
do so until there are sufficient means and resources.
The population is growing very fast. There is too much
pressure over environment. The natural resources are
declining rapidly. The people will not be able to fulfill
their needs if the population is not controlled. The
lives of the people will become difficult, miserable and
unhappy unless population is properly managed. Importance of population
management are as follows:

• It helps to maintain balance between population growth and
available natural resources.

• It helps to reduce population growth by reducing
high fertility rate.

• It deals with fertility, mortality and migration to
control population growth.

• It helps to keep family size small.
• It helps to bring about social and economic

prosperity.
• It helps to fulfill the basic needs and make the

family life happy and contented.

It is very important to manage population so that we can have happy and
prosperous life. Population management helps us to keep the family size
small. If the size of family is small, it becomes easier to meet the basic needs.

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Methods of Population Management
Some of the methods of population management are as follows:

• Family Planning
• Delayed Marriage
• Education and Awareness of People
• Women Empowerment
• Population Education
• Development of Income Generation Skills
• Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate
• Minimizing Child Mortality Rate
• Controlling Migration
• Concept of Small Family Size
• Gender Equality
• Mobilization of GOs, NGOs and Clubs

Points to Remember:

F Rapid population growth causes different kinds of socio-economic
problems.

F There has to be balance between the population and environment to
have quality of life.

F Population management refers to taking necessary steps in
maintaining a balance between the population size and the
environment in a particular place.

F Population management involves techniques of population control
and population distribution.

F The objective of population management is to control the unnecessary
growth of population and maintain the environment.

F Population management is essential to have peace, prosperity and
quality of life.

F There are a number of methods of population management.

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Key Terms and Words:

• Alert: attentive, careful, make aware
• Ensure: make certain that will occur or be so
• Fertility: birth
• Mortality: death
• Prevention: stop from happening or doing something
• Prosperity: be successful, do well
• Scarcity: shortage

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions

1. Why is population dynamic in nature?
2. What are the causes of population growth?
3. What is family planning?
4. What is the objective of population management?
5. What is the important aim of population management?

Short answer questions

1. How does population management help in maintaining quality of life?
2. What do you mean by quality of life? Explain.
3. How does population management help to achieve quality of life?

Explain with examples.
4. What can be the problems of unmanaged population?
5. What are the methods of population management?
6. How can educated women help in population control?

Community Based Work:

a. There may be some population management programmes being
conducted in your locality like family planning, population awareness,
women empowerment, and income generating trainings etc. Find
out them and prepare a report how these activities are befitting the
people.

b. Write a speech on "Small Family Happy Family" with your logical view
points and deliver in the classroom.

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 245

Lesson Challenges of Population
Management
3

The main objective of population management is to control the growth of
population. There are many causes for the growth of population. Population
management has to deal with those causes to control the growth of
population. Some of the causes are deep-rooted in our society and it is
not so easy to change or eradicate them quickly. Some of the problems of
population management are explained below in brief.

Early Marriage Early Marriage
The practice of early marriage is a deep-rooted custom
of our society. More than fifty percent of the girls are
married before they are 20 years of age. The fecundity
period of a woman is from 15 to 49 years of age. When
girls are married early, they will have long fecundity
period. They tend to give birth to more children. The
legal age for marriage is 18 years for girls with the
consent of parents. But people especially in rural areas
are not abiding this law. Illiteracy, poverty and gender
discrimination are some causes of early marriage.
This is a serious challenge for effective population
management.

Lack of Means of Family Planning Means

Family planning is controlling the family Lack of Family Planning Means
size. It is the most effective measure
of controlling rapid population growth.
Family planning means have to be
made accessible all over the country.
Many people in remote and rural
areas are still not much aware of
the importance and means of family
planning. Means of family planning are
not easily available all over the country.
The demographic and health survey of

246 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6

2006 AD has shown that 48% married women have used the means of
family planning and 24.6% married women were not able to get means of
family planning in spite of their willingness to use it.

High Infant and Child Mortality Rate
Early marriage, lack of education and lack of health services and facilities are
the causes of high infant and child mortality. High infant and child mortality
rate causes population growth. Due to lack of education, parents do not know
about family planning, balanced diet, health and sanitation. In such a family
infant and child do not get proper care. There will be high infant and child death
rate. Parents feel insecure when the infant and child have untimely death. In
order to feel secured, they tend to give birth to more babies. They do not know
the consequences of having more children. This is the problem that has to
be faced by population management programmers. They need to change the
mentality of the parents that more children mean more security. They should
rather give importance to the health, nutrition and proper upbringing of the
child than bearing more children.

Gender Discrimination
The discrimination between son and daughter or man
and woman is called gender discrimination. It is also one
of the most important causes of population growth. Sons
are given more importance to daughters. Sons carry
the name of the family, inherit the family property and
look after their parents when they get old according to
the norms and values of our society. Thus, every parent
wishes for the birth of a son. Until the birth of a son,
mother is compelled to keep giving birth. This causes
increase in population. Population management has to eradicate gender
discrimination.

Lack of Education: According to the census Lack of Education
of 2011 AD, only 57.4% female are educated.
It is almost half of the total population of the
country. Most of the illiterate women are
unaware of the importance and means of
family planning. They have no knowledge
of family planning and advantage of having

Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 6 247

small size of a family. That is why it is important to educate the women and
empower them by giving income generating trainings and skills.

Lack of Women Employment: As majority of women are uneducated,
employment opportunity for women is comparatively less than that of men in
our country. Women who are involved in other professions than agriculture do
not want to bear more children. They know bearing more number of children
means more burden and responsibility to shoulder. In urban areas, where
women are generally educated, women do not want to bear more children
as they are working women.

In rural areas, most of the women Lack of Employment
are engaged in agriculture. The
agricultural occupation requires
more helping hands. Similarly, there
is still tendency of living in a joint
family. In such a family, there will be
more family members to care and
look after the children. So women
involved in agricultural activities
usually have more children.

So, it is important to educate and empower women to implement population
management effectively.

Unplanned Migration: The development of infrastructures is not same
all over the country. People tend to
migrate where there are well-developed
infrastructures like education, health,
transport, communication, employment
opportunities and security. There is rapid
growth of population in such areas. This
has created imbalanced distribution of
population. It is, therefore, the population
management should focus on balance
development of the country so that unplanned migration is discouraged.
Open border with India is also contributing to unnecessary population growth.
The border with India should be regulated introducing passport system.

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Points to Remember:

F The main objective of population management is to control the growth
of population.

F Population management is mainly related with population control
and its proper distribution.

F Early Marriage, lack of means of family planning, high infant and child
mortality rate, gender discrimination, illiteracy, poverty and unplanned
migration etc are the major challenges of population management in
Nepal.

Key Terms and Words:

• Challenge: a demanding task or situation
• Compel: force to do something
• Consequence: result or effect
• Demographic: the study of the structure of human population
• Infrastructure: the basic structures needed for operation of a society
• Insecure: not confident or assured
• Tendency: an inclination to behave in a particular way

Evaluation Activities

Very short answer questions
1. What is the main objective of population management?
2. What is the fecundity period of a woman?
3. What is the legal marriageable age of a girl?
4. Define family planning.
5. What are the causes of high infant and child mortality?
6. What is gender discrimination?
7. Why is a son given more preference in our society?
8. What percentage of total women population is literate according to
census 2011 in Nepal?

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9. Where and in which sector are more women engaged in our country?

10. Why do parents prefer to give birth to more children especially in
remote areas?

Short answer questions:

1. List the problems of population management.

2. Why has the family planning measures not become effective in our
country?

3. Why is the early marriage a challenge to population management?

4. High infant and child death rate creates problems for population
management. Explain in brief.

5. Gender discrimination is one of the major problems of population
management. Why?

6. Why is female education necessary to control population growth?

7. Discuss about women and their occupations in relation to population
management.

Community Based Work:

Divide the class into four groups. Discuss and prepare a note under the
following population management problems and present in the class for
discussion.

i. Gender Discrimination ii. Female Education
iii. Women Employment iv. Unplanned Migration

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