Nepal has proposed the Chepang Landscape as an OECM to recognise lands managed by the Indigenous Chepang community. According to the 2021 census, the Chepang population is over 84,300. The community manages about 300 hectares of forest across six hills, locally called the Danda.
The landscape contains wild fruits, medicinal herbs and many bird species. Parts of it are sacred and some areas are protected by local beliefs. The site also acts as a corridor linking Chitwan National Park and surrounding forests, helping species such as tigers, leopards and Asian elephants to move.
The proposed OECM would cover 13,479 hectares across Makawanpur, Chitwan and Dhading. Governance is shared between the community forest users and the divisional forest office. Concerns include unclear land ownership and possible impacts on traditional practices. Stakeholder consultation with the Chepang and local organisations is essential.
Difficult words
- propose — to offer or suggest a plan or ideaproposed
- manage — to control or care for land or resourcesmanaged, manages
- indigenous — people or groups native to a place
- hectare — a unit of land area equal to 10,000 square metreshectares
- corridor — a route that links habitats for animal movement
- governance — the system for rules and decision making
- stakeholder — a person or group with an interest in a project
- ownership — legal right to possess or use property or land
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Discussion questions
- How could recognising the Chepang lands as an OECM help the local community? Explain briefly.
- What problems might unclear land ownership create for managing the landscape?
- Do you think local beliefs and sacred areas should be part of conservation decisions? Why or why not?
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