STRENGTHENING THE LIVELIHOOD OF CHEPANG PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO BIODIVERSITY LOSSES IN CHITWAN DISTRICT

Name of Principal Investigator (PI): Name of Co-Investigators (Co-Is): Institute Affiliation: IAAS, Rampur Campus Date of Proposed: 2068/8/10 Duration of the Project: 2 years Starting Date: 2069/01/02 Completion Date: 2071/01/01 Total Budget of Project: NRs.1095600 Submitted To

Mr. R.R. Kattel Lecturer Course In charge Department of Agri-Economics IAAS, Rampur, Chitwan

Submitted By
Class Roll No Susmita Poudel 51 Swikar Karki 52 Tulsi Parajuli 53 Usha Kiran Bhatta 54 Uttam Acharya 55 Amit Kumar Mishra 56 Ashmita Pandey 57 Babu Ram Panthi 58 Bijaya Paudel 59 Binod Acharya 60 B.Sc.Ag. 8th Sem IAAS, Rampur, Chitwan Name of Student Exam Roll No 95 62 63 64 117 98 100 69 06 09

Table of Content Title

Summary of the Research Project 1. Project Description 1.1 Background Information 1.2 Research Problem and Rationale 1.3 Scope and Limitation of the Study 2. Study Goal 2.1 Overall Study Goal 2.2 Specific Objectives 3. Literature Review 4. Research Method (Methodology) 5. Study Area (with map) 6. Study Design (Data collection techniques) 7. Method of Sampling 8. Method of Data Analysis 9. Result and Dissemination 9.1 Expected Results 9.2 Dissemination Strategy 10. Financial Information (Proposed Budget) Bibliography

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Summary of the Research Project

Nepal is a diverse society but the rights of the indigenous populations to their traditionally used resources have been curtailed through various policies, regulations and practices, which further marginalized them. In the past, they had their own system of property ownership, which sometimes differed with the mainstream private property ownership system. In many cases they had been using the resources without any formal property ownership, but through understanding and traditional practices. Chepang is one of the most marginalized and backwarded ethnic groups in Nepal. They are experiencing wide array of problems not only in economic terms but also in social and political aspects. Religious and linguistic discrimination are often overwhelming, and their poor representation in the mainstream politics, low literacy rate, unemployment and lack of access to traditionally used resources as seen in various statistics is quite apathetic. This study is objected to increase the household level income of the targeted community, to assess the impact of changes in access to natural resources on food security and livelihood of Chepang community and to access the dynamics of poverty and backwardness of Chepang people in Chitwan District. The study will be carried out in Wards no. 3 and 4 of Shakhtikhor VDC in Chitwan District. Ward no. 3 has only Chepang inhabitants, while Ward no. 4 has both Chepangs and non-Chepangs. The population density in these wards is roughly estimated at about 70 per square kilometer (Chhetri et al. 1997). Apart from Supar village in Ward no. 3 and Gairibari village in Ward no. 4, other settlements are scattered. Purposive Baseline House-hold survey willl be conducted. On the basis of survey findings funds willl be allocated and its effectiveness on livelihood will be assessed by ex-post survey with the complitition of the project. The vulnerable Chepang community will be able to come up with new and sustainable methods of livelihood, being themselves the best protector of biodiversity in the region. Their strengthening will be eloquently reflected in increased per capita income, the education level of their children and health and hygiene indicators. The market share of the commodities produced by the chepang will be increased revealing their increased integration with market.

Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

1. Project Description 1.1. Background information Historically, indigenous peoples have a very special relationship with natural resources. Natural resources were not only the basis of livelihood of indigenous communities, but were interlinked with their whole life system. They had their own system of property ownership, which sometimes differed with the mainstream private property ownership system. In many cases they had been using the resources without any formal property ownership, but through understanding and traditional practices. They derived their cultural meanings and identity from their living in a certain location and using certain natural resources. Even for the management of these natural resources, they had their own traditional system to which they had found meaning and thus had given commitments. However, overtime ethnic and indigenous community faced several imposed political, economic and legal interventions, which created several problems for them in using the natural resources and marginalized them through exclusionary or other practices that curtailed their access to traditionally used resources and violated their rights (Subbha et al., 2002). Moreover, they are being gradually displaced from their native lands (Gurung, 2005). Chepang is one of the most marginalized and backwarded indigenous groups in Nepal. The Chepangs of Nepal are rich in knowledge regarding the use of different plants and this knowledge has been transferred verbally through the generations. Nepal is a diverse society but the rights of the indigenous populations to their traditionally used resources have been curtailed through various policies, regulations and practices, which further marginalized them. In the past, they had their own system of property ownership, which sometimes differed with the mainstream private property ownership system. In many cases they had been using the resources without any formal property ownership, but through understanding and traditional practices. They derived their cultural meanings and identity from their living in a certain location and using certain natural resources. Even for the management of these natural resources, they had their traditional system to which they had found meaning and thus had given commitments. But now their whole life and livelihood security have been threatened because of restrictions on the use of their traditional resources, evictions from their ancestral lands and due to lack of proper policies and legislations to ensure their traditional and alternative livelihood opportunities. There were approximately 52,000 Chepangs in 2000 (CBS2001) and they inhabit the Mahabharat range in Chitwan, Dhading, Gorkha and Makwanpur districts of central Nepal (Bhattarai 1995). Being hunter-gatherers until about 80 years ago (Chhetri et al. 1997), the Chepang are con- sidered among the indigenous peoples of Nepal least affected by modernization and globalization. They practice shifting cultivation (slash and burn cultivation) and the evidence suggests that they are highly forest dependent (Bhattarai 1995, Chhetri et al. 1997, Manandhar 1989, Gautam et al. 2003, Pandit 2001) as well as among the poorest in Nepal (Bhattarai 1995). The forest is used as an important source of food, fiber, medicine, housing materials, fuel and fodder. Plant products are collected for household consumption, barter and sale. The people are generally considered to be shy and easily dominated by other ethnic groups (Bista 2004), who have been migrating from the mountains to the lowlands for the last forty to fifty years (Chhetri et al. 1997).
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Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

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1.2. Research Problem and Rationale Chepang is one of the most marginalized and backwarded ethnic groups in Nepal. They are experiencing wide array of problems not only in economic terms but also in social and political aspects. Religious and linguistic discrimination are often overwhelming, and their poor representation in the mainstream politics, low literacy rate, unemployment and lack of access to traditionally used resources as seen in various statistics is quite apathetic. Shifting cultivation until recently has been a basis for their livelihood. As the losses on biodiversity gone severe owing to increased population and encroachment of land under agriculture purposes, their way of livelihood with shifting cultivation witnessed a serious impact. Isolated from both the state and forces of market, they are living the marginalized life as the poorest segment of society with any standard of comparison. Thus it is crucial to study the ways of strengthening their livelihood.

1.3.

This study briefly reviews the practices and ways related to land, water and forest in accordance with one of the highly marginalized indigenous groups in Nepal, and then identifies the problems and opportunities inherent in them. As there is also a wide range in the wealth and development status within indigenous peoples (popularly called ethnic groups or Janajatis in Nepal), the study is limited only with highly marginalized ones, as their livelihoods are threatened by the practices of the state, market and mainstream society. We are limiting our study to Chepang people. Because of the short time period, it was not possible to conduct in-depth field study to cover the field realities of all the highly marginalised and marginalised indigenous communities and limited to few selected groups (Bote Majhi, Chepang, Tharu and Thami) and Musahar (belong to Dalit category) whose livelihoods have been threatened by curtailing of their access to traditionally used natural resources. So many general laws, regulations, policies and strategies existed in natural resource sector which is pragmatically impossible to review and analyse. Further, this research paper is from the perspective of access, and therefore not the usual legal review. Only those recent policies and regulations which have direct relation with access and control of ethnic communities on natural resources and their livelihoods were reviewed.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

2. Study Goal 2.1. Overall Study Goal

To increase the household level income of the targeted community. To access the dynamics of poverty and backwardness of Chepang people in Chitwan District.

Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

2.2.

Specific Objectives

To develop the appropriate land use practices (Sloping agriculture land technology, silvohorti-agriculture) for sustainable production as an alternative to slash and burn agriculture. Promote energy saving technologies. To assist Chepang people to come up to the forces of market. To review and assess national policies and legislation in relation to ethnic groups, particularly focusing to marginalized and highly marginalized indigenous communities, access to and control over NR, mainly land, forest and water. To analyze the factors affecting access of marginalized and highly marginalized indigenous communities' access to and control over land, forest and water. To identify and document success cases and best practices to increase the access of marginalized and highly marginalized indigenous communities to and control over land, forest and water. To assess the impact of changes in access to natural resources on food security and livelihood of Chepang community. 3. Literature Review Chepangs in the study area were found to be knowl- edgeable regarding the use of plants for various livelihood needs. The level of Chepang cultural knowledge (as measured by the number of species interactions) may be compared with other cultural groups living in the same en- vironment in Nepal. The Tharus of Padampur VDC (25 km south of the study area, also in Chitwan District) use 345 species (Rijal 1994), which is the previous highest re- ported number for Nepal. Compared with the 435 species used by the Chepang, the Chepang may be seen to inter- act with 21% more plants. This indicates a closer affinity of these people with plants of the area. The number of plant products used for various medici- nal purposes is also high: 219 species (Chepang) verses 130 by the Tharus (Rijal 1994), and fifty-eight by the Bond VDC of Dolakha District (Shresta & Dhillon 2003). Similar- ly, the Chepangs knowledge regarding edible plants (142) was higher than the previous maximum of 110 in the buf- fer zone of the Royal Chitwan National Park (Rijal 1999). According to the Chepangs, their dependency on wild ed- ibles and several other useful plants was due to continu- ation of their traditional habits that they find very comfort- able. However, their economy could also be the reason for continuing traditional uses as it is found that their yield from agricultural practices does not meet their annual food requirements (Bhattarai, 1995). Moreover, use of herbs by traditional health practitioners is due to their belief in such practices and religious connections about such practices (Gurung 1995). This belief is so deep among these people that even when Chepang who have migrated to the lowland (Padampur of Chitwan District) were found highly de- pendent on herbs and herbalists (Rijal 1994). Plant parts of some species such as, Entada phaseoloi- des (L.) Merr. and Dioscorea species that are consumed by these communities are toxic (CSIR 1992). This indi- cates that Chepangs were not only using a large number of edible plants but also knew how to
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Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

remove toxic sub- stances. The treatment methods differ among species, in- dicating their knowledge regarding the chemical nature of plants. Saponin and toxic alkaloids from Dioscorea spe- cies and E. phaseoloides were removed by repeated boil- ing with ash until boiling water stopped changing color. Then, the product was kept for the whole night in fast run- ning water of a river. Similarly, inner parts of the seeds of chiuri (Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam) contain a toxic saponin (Bhattarai n.d.). The Chepang extract oil from the seeds of chiuri for use in cooking. Their tradi- tional method for dealing with the toxic saponin involves using a specific squeezer developed to squeeze oil from the seeds but not the saponin that is located in the inner part of the seed. The seed cake with this toxin is used as fish poison, soap and pesticide in agricultural fields. Such Chepang knowledge could help to address environmental and health hazards owing to use of pesticides and chemi- cal fertilizers in agriculture (Painuly & Dev 1998). Unlike in other rural communities (Manandhar 1998, Rijal 1994), Chepangs were not found storing food other than honey and chiuri oil for off-seasons. This could be be- cause their population was small in the past (Bhattrai et al. 1995, SNV/SEACOW 1995) and the supply from the for- est was sufficient for their needs. Every Chepang house- hold was found to be skilled in making different handicraft products such as leaf umbrellas, rope, baskets, fish traps, etc. which is also impressive compared to other studies from Nepal (Manandhar 2002, Rijal 1994). The trade of handicrafts also provided income to the Chepangs. 4. Research Method (Methodology) Step 1: Site Selection The project involved Shaktikhor Village Development Committes (VDCs) the smallest local administrative units ( Ward no. 3, Dahakhani and 4 Kaule) in northern Chitwan. A number of households and community organisations in several settlements within two of the a VDC were selected. The assessment team interviewed project participants of the Chepang community. The primary selection criterion was the prospect of obtaining information on all the activities of the project in the most representative way possible given the short duration of the stay. Therefore, the selection strategy was twofold: to include the most representative sites for the common activities as well as sites where the less common activities could be observed. Step 2: Composition of the research team Because the assessment covers economic, social and environmental issues, the research team included two experts in the fields of environmental conservation, community development, participatory rural appraisal, and gender analysis. It consisted of a Livelihoods and Rights Project and the local collaborator.

Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

Step 3: Collection of secondary data With the assistance of the project implementer, the materials collected, analysed and the data sheet, reports, development plans and awareness materials (including audio-visual material). Step 4: Decision on entry strategies The decision on entry strategies was primarily made by identifying the key stakeholders. The itinerary and field plans were prepared upon consultation with the implementer, and the main stakeholders were informed at least two days before the scheduled meetings. Step 5: Fieldwork The fieldwork was arranged on the basis of discussions between the team members. During fieldwork, three major activities were conducted, namely site observations, interactions with the communities and implementer through focus group discussions, and interactive meetings and interviews using checklists. The checklists were primarily based on the progress report prepared by the project implementer. Step 6: Information analysis The team members discussed the findings both on the spot in the presence of the target groups and the project implementer and also separately, to analyse the findings and draw recommendations. The methodology for analysis consisted of an assessment against the target indicators and objectives of the project employing the above framework. The conclusions draw primarily from the observations made and information obtained during the 4-day field survey (see the Appendix for details), a review of various project-related documents provided by the implementer, and a consultative meeting with line agency to obtain their feedback on the project findings. Step 7 :Report preparation The report was drafted in two stages. The first and second drafts were prepared by the team members and were shared with the project implementer for feedback, before the draft report was finalised.

5. Study Area The study will be carried out in Wards no. 3 and 4 of Shakhtikhor VDC in Chitwan District (Figure 1). The study area extends from 300 to 2500 meters altitude, the climate is tropical to subtropical, and three overall forest types are present. The average population density in Chitwan District is 213 inhabitants per square kilometer and the climate is favor- able to agriculture. The infrastructure is relatively good and development is better than average in Nepal based on the higher than average adult literacy rate (65%) and economic indicators such as the proportion of
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Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

households with access to institutional credit (52%) and the proportion of the labor force employed in non-agricultural jobs (38%) (Rimal & Rimal 2006). Ward no. 3 has only Chepang inhabitants, while Ward no. 4 has both Chepangs and non-Chepangs. The population density in these wards is roughly estimated at about 70 per square kilometer (Chhetri et al. 1997). Apart from Supar village in Ward no. 3 and Gairibari village in Ward no. 4, other settlements are scattered. A road reaches up to the relatively flat land area with a mixed population, while the hilly Chepang area lies at 3-4 hours walking distance from the road. The Chepang in the mixed population area have somewhat left their traditional habits in terms of food, clothing, and cultivation practices. The traditional staple food of yams (Dioscorea spp.) is partly replaced by maize and rice. Shifting cultivation has to some degree been replaced by permanent agriculture. Likewise, loincloths have been replaced by pants.

6. Study Design (Data collection techniques) Initial rapport-building visits included discussions with local leaders, traditional healers and other key informants as well as community-wide meetings were held introducing the research activity and the researchers purposes. This helped to identify key informants including two traditional healers (both men) and ten elders (of which four were female and six were male) all above sixty years of age. (In Nepali society people younger than thirty are considered to be youth.) Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants including traditional healers for medicinal plants, and elderly men and women for edible and other useful plants. Each interviewee was briefed on the reasons for the research and the interview was carried out based on their agreement. They also permitted their knowledge to be published. This publication will be returned to them through NGOs working with Chepang communities in the study area.
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Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

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7. Method of Sampling Respondents will be subjected to semi structured interview so as to identify the real challenges faced by the community. Once the problems are identified in depth, the ways of mitigating them will be best searched by PRA (via focus group discussion). Findings will be analyzed, ideas will be generated and disseminated into the community with proper institutional development i.e. assisting in the creation of CBOs. 8. Method of Data Analysis The collected data was edited and the local units of measurements were standardized in to the scientific one. Socio-economic and farm characteristics will be described using descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, percentage and frequency. Data entry and analysis will be done by using computer software packages like Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Information analysis The team members discussed the findings both on the spot in the presence of the target groups and the project implementer and also separately, to analyse the findings and draw recommendations. The methodology for analysis consisted of an assessment against the target indicators and objectives of the project employing the above framework. The conclusions draw primarily from the observations made and information obtained during the 4-day field survey a review of various project-related documents provided by the implementer, and a consultative meeting with line agency and NGO representatives to obtain their feedback on the project findings. 9. Result and Dissemination 9.1. Expected Results The vulnerable Chepang community will be able to come up with new and sustainable methods of livelihood, being themselves the best protector of biodiversity in the region. Their strengthening will be eloquently reflected in increased per capita income, the education level of their children and health and hygiene indicators. The market share of the commodities produced by the chepang will be increased revealing their increased integration with market. 9.2. Dissemination Strategy Local media and national, international publications will be used for the dissemination of research study.

Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

10. Financial Information (Proposed Budget)

ACTIVITIES: Budgets and Inputs: ACTIVITIES 1. Baseline survey and data analysis a) Allowance for researchers b) Analysis of Baseline data 2. Orientation meeting with participating farmers user group and provision for Allowances 3. Infrastructure Development a) Beehives supplies to community groups to promote Apiculture Enterprise b) Training on Bee Farming to participating user group c) Promotion of Citrus Farming through diseased free sapling supply d) Training on Improved Farming Practices of Citrus e) Establishment of Multi product collection centre f) Subsidy on Installment of Biogas Plants to the users 4. Welfare Promotion a) Distributing clothes for children from Chepang community b) Periodic Health check up and medicine distribution (six month interval) 5. Official Expenses a) Stationary Expenses (including search of literature) b) Communication Expenses c) Travel Expenses d) Payment to Resource Person 1 a) b) BUDGET (NRS) 96000 5000 15000 250000 10000 110000 10000 10000 200000 60000 100000 30000 25000 25000 50000

2 3 a) b) c) d) e) f) 4 a) b) 5 a) b) c) d)

Sub Total

996000

Overhead (10% Total

99600 1095600

Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

Bibliography (References)
Bhattarai, T.R. 1995. Chepangs: Status, efforts and is- sues: A Syos perspective. Pp. 5-11 in Chepang Resourc- es and Development. Edited by T.R. Bhattarai. Nether- lands Development Organisation in Nepal (SNV)/ School for Ecology, Agriculture and Community Works (SEA- COW), Kathmandu. Bista, D.B. 2004. People of Nepal. Ratna Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu. Chhetri, N.S., S. Ghimire, C. Gribnau, S. Pradhan & S. Rana. 1997. Can Orange Trees Bloom on a Barren Land. Identification of development potentials of Praja commu- nities in Chitwan District. The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), Kathmandu. CSIR. 1992. The Useful Plants of India. Publications & In- formation Directorate, CSIR, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi, 110012, India. Gautam, M.K., E.H. Roberts & B.K. Singh. 2003. Commu- nity-based leasehold approach and agroforestry technol- ogy for restoring degraded hill forests and improving rural livelihoods in Nepal. Paper presented at the International Conference on Rural Livelihoods, Forests and Biodiver- sity 19-23 May 2003, Bonn. Gurung, H. (2005), Indigenous Peoples and Development Aspects. Statement made at International Conference of IAIA on Indigenous Peoples and Impact Assessment, Boston, 29 May 2005 organised by Eeyou Istchee Tebtebba Foundation, World Bank and Hydro Qubec. Gurung, G.M. 1995. Report from a Chepang Village: Soci- ety, culture and ecology. S. Gurung, Kathmandu. Manandhar, N.P. 1997. Role of ethnobotany in the context of Nepal. Paper presented at workshop on Application of Ethnobotany to Community Development. January 6-13 1997, Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal. Painuly, J.P. & S.M. Dev. 1998. Environmental dimensions of fertilizer and pesticide use; relevance to Indian agricul- ture. International Journal of Environment and Pollution 10(2):273-288. Pandit, B.H. 2001. Non-timber forest products on shifting cultivation plots (Khorya): A means of improving livelihood of Chepang Rural Hill Tribe of Nepal. Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development 11:1-14. Rijal, A. 1994. Ethnobotany of Padampur: Analysis of de- pendency and conflict. M.Sc. thesis submitted to the Agri- cultural University of Norway, Aas, Norway. Rijal, A. 1995. Surviving on conservation. Habitat Hima- laya 2(2).
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Strengthening the livelihood of Chepang people vulnerable to biodiversity losses in Chitwan district

2012

Rijal, A. 1999. Wild Edible Plants of the Royal Chitwan National Park: Dependency of the local on the forest re- source and its potential for economic alternatives for the indigenous community. M.Sc. thesis submitted to Tribhu- van University, Department of Botany, Kathmandu, Nepal. Shrestha, P.M. & S.S. Dhillion. 2003. Medicinal plants di- versity and use in the highlands of Dolakha district, Nepal. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 86(1):81-96. SNV/SECOW. 1995. Chepang Resources and Develop- ment. SNV/SECOW, Kathmandu. Subba, C. et al. (2002), Adivasis/Janajatis in National Development. Major Issues, Constraints and Opportunities. Kathmandu: IIDS.

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