The Himalayan Mountain ranges are one of the greatest physical features on earth. They extend across eight Asian countries.( Afganistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan) and have an east-west length of 250okm and north-south width of 250-300km.This huge landmass covers an area of 3-4 million sq.km and the area has a population of 118 million with population densities varying from 20(Myanmar) to 126(Nepal) people per sq km.the management of vast tract of land directly affect the population and the stability of the social fiber in the Hindu-Kush-Himalaya countries.
This is a vast chain of mountain systems with complex topography is endowed with abundant natural resources.Towering snow-clad mountain peaks, mighty glaciers, and voluminous ice- streams feed large river systems and the area has innumerable species of flora and fauna as well as a rich human culture and heritage.
The Himalayan region had an economy primarily based on the primary section. As a result of constraints related to access and terrain, mountain inhabitants practiced subsistence farming and the economic condition of household barely reached subsistence level.
Many men migrated to the neighboring plain areas in search of employment to augment household income.
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