Abstract Ten 2008

GLOBAL

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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Volume Five Winter 2007-Spring 2008 Numbers 1-2.

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEPALESE CONTEXT

Harihar P. Bhattarai

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

Published Online: February 10, 2017

ABSTRACT

Realizing the socio-cultural variations of the concept “sustainable development,” the article attempts to determine the meaning of this global concept in the Nepalese context. With the analysis of some pertinent aspects of equitable sustainable development such as environment, health, population, education, science and technology in Nepal’s geo-political, socio-cultural and economic background, the article suggests that Nepali problems and prospects should be studied in their own milieu. With proper analysis followed by the implementation of modest people-oriented programs, the sustainable development of Nepal can be a real possibility, rather than an economic luxury or an impossible task. However, the people of Nepal need an informed understanding of their characteristics as a unique nation, a sympathetic appreciation as well as balanced judgment of their culture and tradition, and a willingness to step out of their accustomed mode of thinking to practically address the key sustainability issues.