Case Study - I | Geography Class 8 ICSE PDF Download

Nepal

• Nepal has three distinct geographical regions.
• Terai: A fertile, flat land bordering India with a tropical climate, ideal for farming.
• Terai grows crops like rice, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, jute, tobacco, and maize.
• Pahads: Hilly areas without snow, home to urban centers like Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• About 45% of Nepal's population lives in the Pahads region.
• Mountains: High, snow-covered peaks, challenging for living due to altitude and harsh conditions.
• Nepal hosts many of the world’s tallest mountains, making habitation difficult.

Earthquake in Nepal

• On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, the worst in 81 years.
• A state of emergency was declared across the nation after the quake.
• Nearly 10,000 deaths were reported within a week.
• The earthquake affected central and eastern Nepal, northern India, northwestern Bangladesh, southern Tibet, and western Bhutan.
• Tremors were felt in the Ganga River plains of northern India.

Earthquake Profile of Nepal - 2015

Reasons Behind the Earthquake

• Nepal lies between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it prone to quakes.
• These plates have collided for 50 million years, pushing India northward.
• This collision formed the Himalayan mountains.
• Earthquakes occur during mountain formation due to plate movement.
• The Indian Plate moves constantly, pushing the fixed Eurasian Plate upward.
• Energy builds up underground, causing rocks to break from friction.
• This energy release triggered the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

Impact of Nepal Earthquake

• The 2015 quake was Nepal’s worst natural disaster.
• Many villages, towns, and buildings were fully destroyed.
• Numerous lives were lost due to the disaster.
• Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, saw widespread destruction.
• Many concrete buildings collapsed in urban areas.
• People fled to streets and open spaces as dust clouds rose.
• Wide cracks appeared on roads and building walls.

Patan Durbar Square

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for Newar architecture.
• Features a red-brick tiled square and an ancient royal palace.
• The palace was home to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur.
• Parts of Patan Durbar Square were damaged and later rebuilt.

Swayambhunath

• A 2,500-year-old Buddhist stupa located on Kathmandu’s western hills.
• A sacred site filled with symbols and historic artifacts.
• Many of its structures and artifacts were destroyed in the quake.

Impact of Earthquake on Mt Everest

• The 7.8 magnitude quake shifted Mount Everest by 3 centimeters.
• Mount Everest, over 8,848 meters (29,000 feet) tall, lies between China and Nepal.
• Normally, Everest moves 4 centimeters northeast each year.
• The 2015 quake reversed this northeast movement.
• The mountain and nearby areas shifted vertically and horizontally.
• At least 18 people died on Everest, making April 25, 2015, the deadliest day there.
• An avalanche in Langtang Valley left 250 people missing.

Environmental Impact of Earthquake

• Forests in 31 districts, including Langtang Valley and Manaslu Conservation Area, were damaged.
• High demand for timber led to deforestation for rebuilding homes.
• Local vegetation, key for soil conservation, was destroyed.
• Regrowing vegetation and forests takes many years.
• Gosaikunda and Gokyo lakes, home to red panda, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr, were affected.
• Habitats like blue pine, temperate oak, sub-alpine, and birch forests in Langtang National Park were harmed.
• Water shortages worsened due to low rainfall in affected areas.
• Solid waste management became a challenge.
• Debris from collapsed buildings created environmental issues.