Environmental research

His majesty`s Government of Nepal (HMG/N) abolished the bonded labor existing in western part of the country for decades in the name of Kamainya System effective from July 17, 2000. Kaimaiya, enjoyed that day with mirth and merriment but question of livelihood, in absence of "food, shelter and cloth" is still alarming to them. Landless Settler`s Problem Resolution Commission has identified total number of Kamainyas as around 7,000 and out of which 58% are found to be living under the open-sky. HMG/N has started to provide 0.16 ha of land to one Kamainya family. Bamboo ecohousing with the introduction of energy efficient mechanism would be suitable home for the Kamaiyas for a number of reasons. Bamboo is a pioneering plant and can be grown in soil damaged by overgrazing and poor agriculture techniques. Bamboo produces over 35% more oxygen than trees, generating a significant increase in carbon sequestration. Bamboo is often considered as poor man`s timber as bamboo generally requires very little capital investment and gets matured in a short period of time often harvestable within 2-4 years. Therefore, Bamboo house can be environmental friendly, economically viable and ecologically sustainable mode of sample for Kamainya that can mitigate their problem of home settlement without destroying the nature. The project aimed to develop 25-75 bamboo houses with the technical support from INBAR and introduce energy efficient technologies. The project has also planned to carry out bamboo research and involve Kamaiyas in Bamboo cultivation, propagation and sale as the means of income generation activities.

Nepal