Pyakuryal, Bishwambher

The first part of this publication provides an overview of IUCN Nepal's environmental economics programme, its major objectives and activities, and reviews its future plans. The second part forms a source book of information on environmental economics in Nepal. It is intended to help the reader understand the nature of environmental economics activities and to serve as an important reference material for students, researchers and policy-makers

Government policies on agriculture, forestry, water, energy and industry have tacitly encouraged over-use of the country's natural resources. The consequent exploitation of natural resources has had a negative impact on productivity by raising production and maintenance costs and aggravating the problem of biodiversity conservation. The high degree of conversion of existing natural resources, such as forest into land, has necessitated a proper investigation of the trade-off between the cost and benefits of such conversion.

The primary purpose of this publication is to promote economic thinking in environmental management and resource conservation in Nepal.