Nepal, a diminutive landlocked country nestled in the mountains of South Asia, spans between latitudes 26º22’N to 30º27’N and longitudes 80º04’E to 88º12’E, sandwiched between India and China. Covering an area of 147,181 square kilometers, it is home to a population of 23.4 million individuals. Remarkably diverse, Nepal boasts a rich human culture, embracing over 61 ethnic groups and a linguistic tapestry woven from 70 spoken languages. Despite its modest size, accounting for only 0.1% of the Earth’s expanse, Nepal stands out as a sanctuary for biodiversity. This small nation harbors 2% of the world’s flowering plants, a staggering 8% of the global bird population (comprising over 848 species), 4% of Earth’s mammals, and 11 of the world’s 15 families of butterflies, totaling more than 500 species. Further, it boasts 600 indigenous plant families and hosts 319 species of exotic orchids. However, in stark economic contrast, Nepal faces challenging circumstances. The per capita income is a meager US$ 240, reflecting economic constraints. A poignant gauge of societal well-being in Nepal is the substantial portion of the population—38%—living below the poverty line. Despite its ecological richness, economic challenges underscore the need for concerted efforts to improve living standards in this enchanting nation. Nepal faces the complex challenges posed by a diverse topography and fragile geological conditions, further exacerbated by widespread poverty and prevalent illiteracy. Central to the hurdles in Nepal’s development is the pervasive problem of ‘poor management.’ A critical deficiency in the Nepalese management process stems from the insufficient incorporation of geographic information in decision-making, resulting in suboptimal management practices. Recognizing and aiming to rectify this gap, The Mid-West University, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Network (APN) and People in Need (PIN), is set to launch the Geospatial Portal in 2023. This initiative seeks to leverage geospatial data to enhance decision-making processes and address the challenges posed by Nepal’s intricate socio-economic and environmental landscape.
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