Strengthening livelihoods civil society and community-based natural resource management of indigenous communit

General

Chepang and Tamang communities living in the hills of central Nepal are among the most marginalized and resource poor groups in Nepal.Their tiny land holdings provide no more than 3 to 6 months of food security and deforestation has contributed to environm ental degradation. Due to lack of knowledge of efficient and sustainable agricultural practices and land-tenure rights the communities are practicing unsustainable agriculture and animal husbandry which aggravate soil erosion that causes regular landslides that destroy agricultural fields and threaten the lives of people and animals. To improve access to remote villages local government has started infrastructure development projects without proper social and environmental impact assessments.The objective o f this project is to uplift the livelihoods and food security of the Chepang and Tamang communities through agro-forestry development and developed market access strenghten community-based natural resource management sustainable land use and climate change adaptation and empower women and persons with disabilities.This is achieved by e.g. developing sound biodiversity management and sustainable livelihood activities in cooperation with community-based organizations and local government. Capacity building of forest user groups will be done to strenghten their operational capacity and local government will be supported in preparation and implementation of the local climate change adaptation plan of action.The continuation project implemented by NAFAN and suppo rted by Swallows supports Finland's development objectives by increasing food security and promoting sustainable use of natural resources local democracy and participation of women in decision making. The project will strengthen local partner organization' s capacity and role in community capacity building and establishing linkages between communities and local government. The project is expected to benefit directly around 3000 right-holders and 150 duty-bearers. In addition approx. 3500 people are expected to benefit indirectly.