Poverty in Nepal: Issues and Challenges -Ramesh Kumar KC rameshkkc@gmail.com Abstract: Poverty is widespread and multidimensional problem in Nepal. The article highlights the country's present poverty situation, which affects a large proportion of the population. The article identifies various factors that contribute to poverty in Nepal, including geographical location, political instability, low economic growth, natural disasters and lack of resources. The article also discusses the various initiatives taken by the government of Nepal to address poverty, including social development, infrastructure development programs, industrial and agricultural development programs. However, the article suggests that more efforts are needed to address the root causes of poverty and promote sustainable economic growth in Nepal. The article concludes by highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce poverty and improve the lives of the poor and marginalized communities in Nepal. Key words: Poverty, development, human development, natural resources. Background: Poverty remains a major challenge in Nepal since long time. With around one-sixth of the population living below the poverty line in Nepal. It is a complex, multidimensional and deep routed issue for the prosperity, development and stability. The country is trying to achieve development goals and recover the poverty situation since very beginning. Poverty generally assumed the state of being unable to meet the basic needs, with a lack of resources and it is a obstacle to sustain a decent standard of living. There are several factors that contribute to poverty in Nepal, including inadequate resources, weak political priority, limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services, as well as a lack of job opportunities. Additionally, political instability, corruption, and poor governance have hindered the country's economic growth and development. The poverty situation in Nepal is particularly acute in rural areas, where the majority of the population lives. Rural households often lack access to basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply, which makes it difficult for them to engage in economic activities and improve their livelihoods. The Nepalese government has implemented various poverty reduction programs over the years, such as cash transfers, food assistance, and rural development initiatives. However, the impact of these programs has been limited due to inadequate resources, poor implementation, and lack of coordination between different government agencies. Grounds: Nepal is a land locked country located in South Asia region. The geographical location is a major cause behind poverty. Scattered settlement, harsh terrain and high infrastructure cost has hindered to reduce poverty in Nepal. The nearest seaport to Nepal is the Kolkata Port in India, which is located approximately 900 kilometers away from the Nepal-India border. However, Nepal also has access to the sea via the ports of Kolkata/Haldia, Vishakhapatnam, and Paradip, all of which are