Abstract
The paper deals with the worsening condition of the environment in Kathmandu Valley. It gives an analysis of the transformation of the Valley; and identifies the causes in order to sustain its ecology and social system. It addresses how its identity and character have survived so far, It also looks into how the people and their culture are linked to the Valley’s economy, played a positive role in the wise use of its resources in the past. The Valley is urbanizing at a rapid pace. This has led to many environmental problems; and the needs of the increasing population could not be met. People leave their native villages and come here to get some kind of work in an informal setting. Their incomes are so small that they cannot afford most of the environmental services. This makes the environment deplorable for them to live or work. Most people in the valley had no access to adequate water and sanitation. With an increasing shortage of water, problems of solid waste management and poor road conditions have worsened the environment. The quality of life is declining due to pollution in terms of carbon emission, waste generation, noise, ugliness and dirt. This results in an increasing incidence of slums in the Valley. Hence the demand for a good local environment has increased.There is a tendency to locate modern activities in more pleasant areas.There are also differences in land values due to hedonic pricing. People get urban services in different ways. In the provision of these, the primary objective of the government is not to enhance the quality of environment as such. the paper examines why the provision of services has not improved the people’s living conditions. Despite huge investments in infrastructure, the needs of the people are not met. Nor has there been any increase in the physical assets to meet the future needs. It looks at alternative ways of providing services.It highlights the relevance of traditional ways that people used to manage their ambience.It works on how these can used to develop new areas while sustaining the ecological resources of the valley. The paper finally suggests measures for the revival of traditional ways of living and their integration to support the Valley level service networks.
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