Arable land decreasing in the Kathmandu valley: Why is it a problem?

The Kathmandu valley’s soil is considered among the most fertile in Nepal. It is believed that the valley was once a large lake, and because of that, the land is said to be the best for agriculture. According to a former agriculture secretary, agriculture was once the main source of income for Kathmandu residents.

Apart from the main city areas such as Kirtipur, Patan, Basantpur and Bhaktapur, all the areas here had ample arable land . For agricultural purposes, rajkulos (royal canals) were built, which can still be seen in some areas.