Industry

To manufacture goods or to provide service by using different resources is called as industry. Industrial development is the most reliable mode of economic progress for the developing countries like Nepal. It can also be run from agro-based materials as Nepal is an agricultural country. Our country should give priority to industrial development because it mobilizes human resources and helps to uplift the socio-economic status of the country. Other raw materials like minerals, forest products, etc. are found from environment.

Things required to set up industry

1. Land
2. Resources or raw material
3. Electricity
4. Transportation
5. Manpower
6. Machines
7. Water
8. Capital

Types of industries

On the basis of capital investment, fuel consumption, production and use of technology, industry can be classified as follows: -

1. Cottage industries

The labour-oriented industries which are based on local raw materials, and rural technology and related to national tradition, art and culture are cottage industries. Handloom, embroidery, painting, knitting, sewing and wood carving are some examples of cottage industries.

2. Small-scale industries

The industries which have fixed capital of up to 10 million to run are called small-scale industries.

3. Medium-scale industries

The industries having fixed capital of 10 million to 50 million rupees to run are called medium-scale industries.

4. Large-scale industries

The industries which require more than 50 million fixed capital to run are called large-scale industries.

Importance of industry

Industry runs with the use of natural resources like minerals, and forest products. Agriculture sector also supplies raw materials for industry. In fact, industry, human beings and environment are inter-related with one another.

So, the importances of industry are as follows: -

1. Production and use of raw materials

   Raw materials like jute, sugarcane, cotton, herbs, which are required to run industry, come from agriculture and forest. Some raw materials like milk, bones, feather and leather are found from animals and birds. Industrial development encourages people for the production of raw these materials. These raw materials can be produced in the country and so need not be imported. Thus, money can be saved which can be spent for conducting other developmental works.

2. Development of human resources

   Development of human resources is essential for development activities. Different industries need different manpower with particular knowledge, skill and dexterity. This helps the specialist to increase their knowledge and skills and thus can increase their performance. Those who have no skills can be made skilled by imparting them training. Therefore, industrial development helps to develop and mobilize human resources.

3. Job opportunity

   Industries require both semi-skilled and skilled manpower to run it. In this way, industries provide employment opportunities. People of different skills, get job, increase their income and improve their quality of life. It can contribute to stop emigration of energetic youths in search of job.

4. Production of goods

   Industries produce goods like cloth, foods materials, hardware, construction equipment, etc. which fulfill the requirements of the people. Industry makes the country self-dependent and decreases the import. It maintains balance in trade. High quality goods can be exported to other countries. In this way, international trade grows and foreign currency can be earned for economic development.

5. Improvement in quality of life

   Industrial development can help to earn foreign currency and increase job opportunity n the country. It increases per capita income of the people. Improvement in their quality of life is possible through the fulfillment of basic needs like food, education, health, housing, etc. It also supports the development status of the country.

6. Economic development

   Cottages as well as large-scale industries are important in our country. Industrial development cuts down the import and increases the export. Native manpower is also utilized. Thus, the economic status of the country can be improved.

7. Mobilization of private sector

   Not only government but also private sectors should be encouraged for industrial development. It creates competition among the private sectors for the development of industry. As a result, competency and investment of private sectors also increase for the national development.

Effects of industrial development work on the environment

Industrial development is the backbone of the country’s progress. It supports economic and social development. However, it brings on a number of adverse effects.

Some of the effects of industrial development and their mitigating measures are s follows: -

1. Over exploitation of natural resources

   One of the essential factors to establish and run industries is raw material which ready-made goods are manufactured. Iron, gold, silver, tin, coal, mineral oil, stone, juice, tobacco, wood, bamboo, etc. are raw materials. So, non-renewable raw materials should be used rationally because they are in limited quantity. Raw material produced from forest and agriculture can be used at large scale. While using raw materials, fruits, herbs, flowers and plants should not be destroyed. In the deforested places, trees should be planted.

2. Pollution

   

   Brick and tile kilns as well as cement factories give off-air pollutants like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, dust, smoke, etc. and surrounding air gets polluted. Then, physical environment of the surrounding area is spoilt. Factories discharge chemical mixed water and sewerage that pollutes the water resources. Pollution harms the health of all living creatures. Sound pollution is high in the urban areas and dense settlements which effects settlement as well as other living beings. So, emission of smoke, dust, poisonous gases should be controlled by applying low polluting devices

3. Solid wastage

   

   Industries produce solid and liquid waste minerals. The water that comes from leather tanning factories, metal factories and sewerages discharge pollutes the environment. The aquatic and terrestrial creatures are badly affected. Polluted water is the cause of spreading several kinds of epidemic diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and cholera. Solid wastes emitted from leather and bone industries are harmful to living beings. Therefore, the waste water from industries should be treated before discharging it into the sources of water.

4. Depletion of ozone layer

   The accretion of sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and dust in the atmosphere depletes the ozone layer which is essential to block the harmful rays and heat coming from the sun. When the ozone layer is destroyed, the heat reaches the surface of the earth. It disturbs the lifecycle of living beings. It causes dreadful diseases like cataract and skin diseases. Tree plantation in the premise of an industry is the best way to prevent such effect.

5. Excessive use of land

   Farmers use fertilizers and insecticides excessively to increase their agricultural products to sell to the industry. The uncontrolled use of such fertilizers destroys the productivity of the land. The chemicals coming from factories mix with water. All living beings including man have to face the adverse effects of it. So, it is essential to develop the concept of sustainable agricultural production to the farmers.

6. Change in temperature

   Industrial emission of gases like sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, methane are harmful. They pollute the air in the atmosphere. Such air pollution increases the atmospheric temperature having adverse effects on climate and water-cycle. The environment loses its original quantity. Such healthy environment is harmful to human beings organisms as well as vegetation. Therefore, the emission of such gases should be controlled in the industrial plant by using appropriate modern technology and mechanism.