Social Studies Note for Grade X (Concept of Regional Development and Federalism- Unit- 1)

Social Studies: UNIT-1(WE AND OUR SOCIETY)

Lesson- 3

Concept of Regional Development and Federalism

Concept of Development

Development is a positive and progressive change. The ultimate goal of development is to upgrade the standard of human life. Development indicates the economic and social progress of the people. It brings gradual progress in the existing condition of the country. Development is related with the fulfillment of human needs and upgrading the satisfaction level of people since the concept of development covers the social, economic and cultural progress. Human resource plays an important role in the development and also can lead the development towards the desired direction. Various human and natural resources and means are required for development. Rivers, land, forest, minerals etc. are the natural resources and means whereas skilled manpower, technology, trainings, etc. are human resources and means. Development covers various dimensions like rural, urban, community, human resource, economic development, environment conservation, climate change, administrative improvement etc.

A planned and environment friendly development helps in both environment conservation and fulfillment of needs. It fulfills the basic needs of people by which people get the opportunity to attain and use their civic rights, live a life with dignity and the opportunity for personal development, social and economic progress. So, Development activities should be run for the progress of the country. 

Need of Development

a.    To make the human life easy, prosperous and joyful by fulfilling the needs

b.    To increase the self- dependence and competence

c.    To ensure economic and social, transformation, and  

d.    To lead traditional thought towards contemporary thoughts. 

Concept of Regional Development
This is a concept to develop the country by dividing it into different administrative units. The concept of regional development is related with strengthening the administration of the country. The main objective of this concept is fast and easy delivery of service to people. With the objective of achieving balanced, effective and speedy development in all parts of the country, the concept of regional

development was brought into implementation.

According to this concept, Nepal was divided into 4 development regions in 2029 BS and into 5 development regions in 2037 BS including Mountain, Hill and Terai regions in each.

On the basis of landform, Nepal is divided into 3 geographical regions: Mountain region, Hilly region and Terai region. It is difficult to run development works in mountain and hilly region due to difficult topography. The Terai region has plain and fertile land. So, it is comparatively easier to develop the infrastructures of development in Terai region. With the objective of developing all the parts of the country from the administrative point of view, Nepal was divided into 14 zones and 75 districts on 1st Baisakha 2018 BS.
Federalism
Federalism is an important concept of decentralization of power. The delegation of power from centre to the local level is known as decentralization of power. Federalism is system of government in which power divided between a central authority and constituent units.

Nepal had been practising unitary form of government since unification by Prithivi Narayan Shah. However, this system was not able to achieve development goals of the country and has been seen as exclusive form of rule. Federalism is seen as an inclusive practice for Nepal. So, with the view of proportional development in all parts of the country by appropriate distribution and mobilization of resources and reducing the economic, social and religious discrimination, the country has been transformed into federal structure. Nepal has become a federal-democratic republican state since 1 5th Jesth, 2065 BS. According to the concept of federal system, Nepal has been divided into 7 autonomous provinces. Now, each province has a separate government along with its federal government at the centre. There are three tiers of authority. central, provincial and local. From this system, people can utilize the resources and means of their region, earn income, consume and participate in the development of their region. 

There are two types of federal system: one, by uniting the states like in the US and other, by dividing a country into different provinces like in Nepal. At present about 28 countries of the world have the federal system. This system is in practice in India, the USA, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Switzerland etc. In this system, states or provinces are formed on the basis of geography, history, ethnicity and language, region, population, availability of resource etc.

Nepal is divided into 7 provinces on the basis of identity and capability. The Constitution of Nepal has distributed the state power to central, provincial and local units. Some of them are presented below:
Federal Powers

a.    Protection of national unity and territorial integrity

b.    Relating to national security

c.    Central planning, central bank, finance policies, monetary and banking, monetary policies, foreign grants, aid and loans

d.    Foreign and diplomatic affairs, international relations and United Nations related matters

e.    National transportation policies, management of railways and national highways

Provincial Powers

a.    State civil service and other government services

b.    State level electricity, irrigation and water supply services, navigation

c.    State universities, higher education, libraries, museums

d.    Matters relating to the State Assembly, State Council of Ministers

e.    Intra-State trade, State highways, Health services

f.     Management of lands, land records

Powers of Local Level

a.    Municipal police

b.    Cooperatives

c.    FM operation

d.    Local development projects and programs

e.    Basic and secondary education

f.     Basic health sanitation

g.    Distribution of land, building ownership certificates

h.    Preservation and development of language, culture and arts

i.     Drinking water, small electricity projects, alternative energy

j.     Local tax

k.    Laws relating to family affairs

Good Aspects of Federalism

Some good aspects of the federal system are:

a.    Maintains close relation between the state and its people

b.    Settlement of conflict at local level

c.    Maximum use of means and resources

d.    Does not hamper the country even if the central government is dissolved.

e.    No need to depend upon the centre for everything

f.     Increment of public participation in government activities

g.    Accelerate development activities.

h.    Conservation of local and ethnic art, culture and heritages

i.     Helps to maintain balanced population distribution.

Challenging Aspects of Federal System

a.    Improper distribution of means and resources between the states may cause unequal development and misunderstanding among the states,

b.    There may be conflict between the states regarding the use of natural resources of border areas.

c.    Federal system of government is more expensive hence there may be lack of sufficient budget for its successful operation.

d.    There may be misunderstanding between federal government and provincial government regarding the sharing of power and authorities.

e.    The provinces may demand for a different and a separate state which can threaten the national integrity of the nation.

f.     The cultural and ethnic diversity can cause a challenge regarding the state language and maintaining equal recognition to all cultural groups.

Very Short Answer Question

1.    What is development region?

Ans: Development region is the concept of dividing country into different political or administrative divisions for smooth running of administration and balanced development of the country.

2.    When was Nepal divided into five development regions? Give full date.

Ans: Nepal was divided into five development regions on 26th Aswin, 2037 BS.

3.    When was Nepal divided into fourteen zones and seventy-five districts? Give full date.

Ans: Nepal was divided into fourteen zones and seventy- five districts on 1st Baisakh, 2018.

4.    Why was Nepal divided into development regions? Give any two reasons.

Ans: Nepal was divided into development regions:

a.    To run the development works proportionately.

b.    To make equal participation of local people in local development process.

5.    ‘Manang and Mustang are called cold desert.’ Why? Give one geographical reason.
Ans: Manang and Mustang are called cold desert because they lie in leeward side of the mountain where only cold and dry wind blow during the summer and winter season.

6.    Name any two tributaries of Saptakoshi.

Ans: Any two tributaries of Saptakoshi are: Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi.

7.    What is leeward side?
Ans: It is a rain shadow area where no or scanty rainfall occurs due to the influence of dry and cold wind across the mountain.

8.    What is westerly?

Ans: It is a moisture laden wind blowing from the Mediterranean and gulf region toward the western part of Nepal; that causes rainfall during winter.

9.    Name any two SAARC nations that have adopted federalism.

Ans: The two nations of SAARC adopting federalism are: India and Nepal.

10.  Prepare two questions to ask a politician about the implementation of federalism in Nepal.
Ans: Set of questions to ask a politician of Nepal regarding the implementation of federalism is:

a.     How does power decentralize in federal Nepal?

b.    How does budgetary management is planned in local level in federal structure?

11.  Mention any two positive impacts that have resulted in your community due to concept of regional development.
Ans: Regional development concept which was started to practice in Nepal from 1st Baisakh, 2018 resulted various positive as well as negative impacts in our locality. The positive impacts of regionalism in our locality are:

a.    utilization of means and resources

b.    development of infrastructure like road, health posts, communication, etc.

12.    Name a cash crop that is grown in your community with its required climate.
Ans: I am an inhabitant of Tanahun district; this place is famous for 'Lapsi'. The climate required for this crop is sufficient rainfall and land structure facing towards North. The temperature must not be above 30 degree.

13.    Give any two reasons for dividing Nepal into five development regions.
Ans: The two reasons of dividing Nepal into five development reasons are:
a. To bring balance in development in all around the country.
b. To utilize the locally available resources wisely.

14.    What bases could be given priority while naming the provincial states?
Ans: Main ethnic community, geographical region, historical identity or religious identity can be given main priority while naming the province.