Livelihood and Climate Disaster Mitigation: A Win-Win with Bighnaharta Nepal
A marginalized people slowly ease their way out of poverty through community adaptive and nature-based solutions.
In the heart of Nepal, in the Raksirang Rural Municipality, lies the Chepang community– one of Nepal’s most marginalized indigenous groups. Because of deforestation and unplanned road construction, this community faces the constant threat of landslides during the monsoon, which not only destroy their homes but also their crops and their means of livelihood.
In comes Bighnaharta Nepal, a youth-led organization that aims to holistically address extreme poverty and the risk of landslides in the area. Founded in 2019 by passionate Nepali youths, they work in various sectors, including climate action, disaster risk reduction, livelihood upliftment, gender equality and women and youth empowerment using the tools of nature-based solutions, social entrepreneurship, fellowship, research and evidence based policy advocacy. Their holistic approach ensures that core issues of livelihood, climate change, gender, and food security among marginalized communities are addressed effectively. Their major priority is to work at the grassroots level keeping the communities at the forefront for greater impact and sustainability of their projects
Currently, one of their projects is with the Chepang Community called Bio-engineering Social Enterprise Dedicated to Disaster Risk Reduction and Livelihood Upliftment, a community adaptive solution wherein the Chepang people plant broom grass to prevent landslides, and from this crop create brooms and paper. Both provide sustainable livelihood for the community.
A Project with Purpose
The project initiated by Bighnaharta Nepal aims to address the dangers of landslides, establish a sustainable means of living, and ensure food security for the Chepang community through the plantation of broom grass or “amriso” (Thysanolaena maxima) in landslide-prone areas. The results have been nothing short of miraculous. The risk of landslides has been reduced by 90%, benefiting 1,610 Chepang households across all nine wards of the municipality. These families, who once relied on daily labor for survival, now have a sustainable source of income and a more secure future.
CfN is absolutely thrilled to be partnering with them and supporting the growth and evolution of this bio-engineering project.
“Bighnaharta Nepal has a good track record of helping the Chepang community secure a brighter future. I am very excited about the project expansion, particularly the goal to plant 1 million broom grass saplings over the next couple of years.” says CEO Rhoda Phillips
A Brighter Future
Ultimately, the journey of Bighnaharta Nepal and the Chepang community is a testament to the power of nature and community-driven initiatives.
Executive President and Co-founder Gomesh Singh Upreti says, “We are looking into establishing a community run resource center making a creative space for the communities to grow even more, create more job opportunities and ultimately uplift the entire local economy of the municipality. With the right resources and support, even the most vulnerable communities can rise above challenges and thrive. We are happy about this new partnership with Communities for Nature. We are really looking forward to the good things we can do together”
photo c/o Bighnaharta Nepal
Let’s celebrate and support such initiatives that bring hope and change to the world, one step at a time.
[all photos c/o Bighnaharta Nepal]