Nepal

After many years of fighting, peace has now returned to Nepal, but the country's remoteness, small economy and susceptibility to natural disaster poses many problems to its people.

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with 30% of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population.

Practical Action started its work in Nepal in 1979, working in the micro-hydro sector. After the establishment of the country office in 1998, Practical Action Nepal diversified its activities in the energy programme from micro-hydro to other forms of renewable energy and expanded into the new technology areas of agro-processing, rural transport and disaster management.

Some examples of Practical Action's work in Nepal include:

Preparing for the floods
Early warning systems, protective shelters and strengthened river embankments can help to reduce the impact of disastrous floods in Chitwan.

Improved river crossings
River crossing Tuin technology can provide a sustainable solution to the excluded and isolated people of rural and mountainous regions of Nepal.

Renewable energy village
Demonstrating how micro hydro, solar and wind energy can make an enormous benefit to income generation and local development without increasing CO2 emissions.

Bicycle ambulances
For remote communites in the plains of Nepal, a bicycle ambulance provides a vital lifeline, enabling them to get the sick to medical centres quickly and in comfort.

Bringing life to the land
Using simple technology, such as foot-driven treadle pumps, Practical Action is helping "low caste" families in Nepal move from malnutrition to self-sufficiency.

Gravity ropeways
Depending solely on gravitational force – and using no external power – gravitational ropeways are simple and inexpensive to operate as well as environmentally friendly.

Coping with climate change
Practical Action Nepal has been working with vulnerable communities in Chitwan to identify and develop strategies to adapt to climate change.

Read more about our work on the Practical Action Nepal website