Far from City, there is an indigenous tribe called Chepang which reside in the mid hill region of Shaktikhor, Chitwan. This tribe comes in the poorest
tribal groups of Nepal. They live a
nomadic life with small size houses and of one-story with thatched roofs.
Their population is very less compared to other communities in Nepal. They
take meals once in a day and hardly grow anything due to low irrigation facility; their land
is harsh and dry. Their primary occupations are farming with slash and burn system.
They commonly grow dry crops which are eaten and affected by monkeys and wind
storm vice-versa. The food last for only three months and another nine months
they raise goats and chickens and exchange with foods in the market. Their main
food items are Kaguno, buck wheat, natural wild roots, Chewri (wild berry),
wild potatoes along with collected natural edible foods, hunted bat and fish whereas the main beverage item are local Raksi (alcohol) and Chyang (Rice
beer). They are nature worshipers and still believe in Shamanism. The distance
from Chepang Village to Shaktikhor is 2 hours of walking. It’s difficult for
small children to walk up and down through that hill to school. The Chepang Village is surrounded by Jungle which is not safe and is risky for small children to pass. Because of distance issue they are unable to get basic education. The
Chepang community is far away from education and lack of awareness in family
planning. Men, women and children all need health education. The living standard
is below the poverty line. Children of this community are facing health issues,
i.e. malnutrition and scabies, etc. There is a great need for better sanitation
and hygiene. If we help them to educate, it will help in some extend to improve
their life.
