When the Chepang community was evicted from their ancestral lands in Nepal, the promise was clear: relocation, housing, and basic amenities. Years later, many of those promises remain unfulfilled. The phrase “Chepangs evicted for conservation, denied promised housing, amenities” reflects a larger issue—when indigenous rights and environmental policies collide, it’s often the people who lose.
Who Are the Chepangs?
The Chepangs are one of Nepal’s most marginalized indigenous groups. Traditionally dependent on forest-based livelihoods, they lived in harmony with their environment. But in recent years, efforts to expand conservation areas, including national parks and buffer zones, have pushed them out—often forcibly.
Why Were the Chepangs Evicted?
Under the guise of conservation, authorities removed the Chepangs from protected lands, arguing that their presence threatened biodiversity. In reality, the Chepangs’ low-impact way of life posed little risk to the environment. Critics argue that conservation policies often serve tourism and commercial interests rather than ecological preservation.
What Was Promised to the Chepang Community?
During evictions, officials promised new housing, clean water, healthcare, education, and integration into new communities. These assurances were meant to ease the shock of displacement. However, many Chepang families still live in temporary shelters without access to drinking water, sanitation, or reliable food sources.
Broken Promises, Ongoing Struggles
The keyword “Chepangs evicted for conservation, denied promised housing, amenities” encapsulates the growing frustration. Government responses have been sluggish and, in some cases, non-existent. Families wait for land deeds that never arrive, and some remain stateless due to missing documentation.
Worse, the lack of basic services has led to health problems, food insecurity, and the disruption of children’s education. Despite repeated appeals, little has changed.
Conservation Without Displacement
Human rights organizations have called for inclusive conservation that respects indigenous peoples’ knowledge and rights. Real conservation should not come at the cost of livelihoods. It’s possible to protect nature without destroying communities in the process.
What Needs to Happen
To address this injustice, Nepal’s government must:
- Provide permanent housing to displaced Chepang families
- Ensure access to basic services like water, education, and healthcare
- Involve the community in future conservation planning
- Respect indigenous land rights as part of sustainable policy
Until then, the Chepangs remain a case study in how conservation, if done without accountability, can become a tool of exclusion rather than protection.
