Help Chepangs
The Himalayan Times
11
February 2014
Help Chepangs
It is disheartening to read the news report
“Famine hits Chepangs of Dhading” (THT, 8 Feb. Page 5) that must have drawn the
attention of all the concerned authorities of the Government of Republic Nepal.
I am not so sure whether the government has launched programmes to assist this
endangered community. So far there is no Chepang who represents his/her
community in any social, economic and political arena.
For how long will they have to continue
suffering? For decades, they used to wander around the jungles in search of
wild roots to survive. Usually, they consume wild yam and plants from
mid-January to mid-April. In the other months, they face acute shortage of
foods. Around 18,000 Chepangs, most of them are landless, live in different
villages of Dhading district. Their rights to basic needs seem to have been
completely ignored by the state.
There must be a number of NGOs working in
Dhading district, but they are not aware of their areas of involvement. It
might demand a separate detailed research study. No one should be deprived of
their rights because of their social groups and ethnicity. Every body deserves
decent life with dignity. For this, it is the prime responsibility of the state
to ensure that all the social groups of its population, especially the disadvantaged,
marginalized and endangered ones, are provided health, education and economic programs
and services.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
