KATHMANDU, Feb 18: Nepal, traditionally known as an agricultural nation, has witnessed a steady decline in its agricultural land every year. According to a detailed study report published by the Forest Research and Training Centre under the Ministry of Forests and Environment in December 2024, the country’s agricultural land has decreased, while forest and shrubland areas have expanded.
The report, presented by the Centre’s Director General Dr Rajendra KC, highlights that agriculture now accounts for 22.59 percent of the land, while forest and shrubland areas cover 46.08 percent. This represents a 1.75 percent decrease in agricultural land, with the trend primarily attributed to the abandonment of arable land. As land is left fallow and not cultivated, it naturally transforms into forest or shrubland. Dr KC said that the increasing trend of converting agricultural land into residential and infrastructural developments also contributes to the shrinking agricultural sector.
The report elaborates on the status of land use in 2019 and 2022. It indicates that forest cover has increased in the Terai, Chure, and mid-hill regions, with some agricultural land being converted into forested areas. In the three-year span, rocky areas have largely transformed into grasslands. As of 2022, 43.38 percent (63,993,341 hectares) of Nepal's land was forested, up from 41.71 percent (61,528,806 hectares) in 2019.
Groundwater for food security
In contrast, in 2019, agricultural land accounted for 24.34 percent of the country’s total land area, while grasslands covered 13.27 percent. By 2022, the Terai had the highest proportion of agricultural land, covering 65.4 percent, while forests dominated the Chure, mid-hill, and high-hill areas, at 73.67 percent, 64.54 percent, and 57.20 percent respectively.
The study also found that the area covered by grasslands has expanded across all geographical regions in Nepal from 2019 to 2022. Forest, built-up, and grassland areas have increased by 1.67 percent, 2.70 percent, and 1.44 percent respectively, with Dr KC attributing the increase in forest area to effective community forest management, growing urbanization, and proactive government efforts.
The trend of rural depopulation, where people are migrating from villages to cities, has led to thinning settlements in rural areas, with some villages becoming deserted. In these areas, forest cover has increased, contributing to the overall rise in forested land.
Dr KC considers the expansion of forest cover a highly positive development for the country. He argues that it contributes to biodiversity, environmental balance, tourism development, self-reliance in timber, wildlife conservation, and the reduction of carbon emissions. Furthermore, experts believe that this increase in forest area helps create a suitable environment for the conservation of endangered species.
