In the heart of Nepal, in the Raksirang Rural Municipality, lies the Chepang community– one of Nepal’s most marginalized indigenous groups. Due to the adverse impacts of climate change aggravated by deforestation and unplanned road construction, this community faces the constant threat of landslides during the monsoon, destroying their homes, agricultural lands, and their access to markets completely affecting 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 climate change, disaster risk, livelihood, gender, and food insecurity among marginalized communities are addressed effectively. In all their projects, they prioritize working at the grassroots level, keeping the communities at the forefront for greater impact and sustainability of their projects.

Their pioneer project called “Bioengineering Social Enterprise for Disaster Risk Reduction and Livelihood Upliftment” has been working with the Chepang communities for the past six years which has completely transformed their lives. 


A PROJECT WITH A PURPOSE

The project initiated by Bighnaharta Nepal aims to holistically address the risks of landslides, establish a sustainable means of living, and ensure food security for the Chepang communities. They have been using the communities’ Indigenous knowledge of planting broom grass (Thysanolaena maxima) in landslide-prone areas while training them to make marketable brooms and connecting them with the market. In addition, for the first time in Nepal, they have pioneered in making eco-friendly Nepali paper from the agro waste of broom grass creating a circular economy creating a whole new stream of income. 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. The households have planted 900,000+ broom grass across 360 hectares of landslide-prone and barren lands absorbing (29,520 tonnes). These families, who once relied on daily labor for survival, now have a sustainable source of income ($250-500 per harvest) and a more secure future.

CfN is thrilled to be partnering with them and supporting the growth and evolution of this bio-engineering project to other parts of Nepal where similar communities reside.

“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.

PHOTOS C/O BIGHNAHARTA NEPAL