Bio-diversity

After successful completion of NEP/OP3/1/06/05 in 2008, SGP Nepal has supported RIMS Nepal to consolidate the achievement of the earlier project. The gradual increase of awareness of indigenous Chepangs, conservation of wild yam (Dioscorea sps.), forest conservation, organic vegetable farming, saving and credit initiatives are some of the major achievements that are needed to consolidate in poverty rampant VDCs of the Dhading district having very low Human Development Index. The remote hilly slope of Dhading is occupied by the Chepang community, who are the aboriginal indigenous community of Nepal. They are the most marginalized and socio economically depressed community living mostly in the remote hilly slopes. Their major sources of livelihood activities are agriculture labour, traditional carpentry, collection and sale of wild edible and fisheries. Only 2% of Chepang population has their own land and rest of the population depends on shifting cultivation and food sufficiency from this land is not enough for 3 months. Wild edible yams are their staple food during food deficit period. Owing to their lifestyle, the project tries to conserve the wild varieties of yams, engage them in vegetable farming and agroforestry practices in their slash and burn land. The project will also support them in marketing of their agroproduct.

Nepal