Final answer:
Nepal and Bhutan are remote due to their mountainous terrain, economic decisions, and stringent tourism policies focused on environmental and cultural conservation. Nepal faces challenges with deforestation and infrastructure demands for tourism, while Bhutan limits tourism to protect its unique environment and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors contributing to the remoteness of Nepal and Bhutan include their geographic location, economic decisions, and a focus on environmental conservation. Nestled in the Himalayas and landlocked by India and China, both countries experience natural isolation due to high mountain ranges that make transportation and connectivity challenging.
Nepal's economy, primarily based on agriculture and tourism, struggles with deforestation and soil erosion due to high population growth outpacing the economic growth rate. This environmental degradation threatens its agricultural capacity, particularly in the fertile Terai lowlands, and necessitates investments in infrastructure to support tourism at the cost of public services.
Bhutan's approach to tourism is even more selective, with a strict admissions policy aimed at protecting its environment and cultural heritage. It imposes a high daily fee on travelers to ensure minimal environmental and cultural impact. Bhutan's philosophy of careful development and economic partnerships, mainly with India, underscores its efforts to maintain the integrity of its natural and cultural resources.