(Based on “Macro-level Determinants of Nature Connectedness: An Exploratory Analysis of 61 Countries,” Ambio, 2025)

A landmark global study published in Ambio (Richardson et al., 2025) has ranked Nepal #1 in the world for Nature Connectedness — the emotional and cognitive bond people feel with the natural world. The study, covering 61 countries and nearly 57,000 participants, found that spirituality, low urbanisation, and strong access to biodiversity are the strongest indicators of human–nature connection. By contrast, nations with higher industrialisation, business intensity, and urban lifestyles tend to feel most detached from nature.

Nepal’s top ranking comes from its unique intersection of faith, lifestyle, and environment. Here, nature is not separate — it is sacred. Rivers are goddesses, forests are abodes of spirits, and mountains are living deities. Daily life, festivals, and rituals express a deep reverence for the natural world. This spiritual ecology, combined with low urbanisation and close physical interaction with landscapes, sustains a connection that many modern societies have lost.

Yet, as we modernise, we risk losing this gift. Building haphazard roads, mining rivers for sand, and throwing waste on sacred mountains contradicts everything our culture teaches. If we are to grow economically, we must do so without losing the very soul of who we are. This study should inspire policymakers to protect and celebrate Nepal’s nature-connected ethos — an asset more valuable than GDP.

At Socialtours, we design journeys that help travellers feel this connection — to experience Nepal’s philosophy of balance and respect for nature — and to carry a bit of that wisdom home.

Reference:

Richardson, M., Lengieza, M., White, M. P., et al. (2025). Macro-level Determinants of Nature Connectedness: An Exploratory Analysis of 61 Countries. Ambio, Springer Nature.