Caught in the Crossfire: Forest-Dependent Poor People in Nepal

This paper examines the impact of armed conflict on the lives of the forest-dependent poor in Nepal. Based on a survey study carried out in four districts among forest-dependent poor and their service providers, the findings show that the armed conflict is severely affecting the lives and living conditions of the poor. The lack of food, drinking water, education, health care and employment opportunities has made them more vulnerable. The conflict has contributed on the disruption of social security, communal bonds, friendship and brotherhoods, trust and local hospitalities and it has planted frustration in these populations. Optimism of the poor is waning. However, they still want to see peace restored.Priority Problems of Forest Dependent Poor People in conflict situation in Nepal Keywords : forest-dependent poor, poverty, insurgency, poor doi: 10.3126/jfl.v5i1.1975 Journal of Forest and Livelihood 5(1) February, 2006 pp.14-21