This monograph examines contemporary environmental challenges facing Nepal, this landlocked country's representativeness in the wider South Asian context is both distinct and generalizable. In large part, this is because of its extremes of physiographical structure- plains, hill ranges, mountainous massifs - and wide range of altitudinal terrains, which represent and replicate South Asian and East Asian continental conditions differing as markedly as humid tropical lowlands, sub-tropical hill ranges and temperate to sub-arctic mountainous environments. Associated forest regimes, in which deforestation and reforestation patterns have evolved in recent times, and differing densities of settlement and cleared agricultural landscapes in each of these altitudinal zones, add to the environmental diversity of Nepal. Associated fauna and exotic species are in various states of endangerment especially Bengal tigers, one horned rhinos, wild elephants, crocodile, musk deer, and peasants, to name a few- so that their forested and mountainous habitats as 'Wild Life Reserves' also deserve our attention, and are featured in this monograph's remit.

In the 20th century Nepal was in isolation until 1950, and afterwards, the pace of socio-political and economic progresses faced lots of ups and downs. The 1950 revolution of people tried to established people's sovereignty, but was hijacked by the then king in 1960, who imposed his party-less system. Multiparty polity was reintroduced in 1990 by another movement of people. After nearly five years of multiparty polity, Communist party of Nepal-Maoists launched 'People's War' in 1996 which ended after it signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the interim government in 2006. As of now they are enjoying a major political party and leader with partner of a coalition government.