नागढुङ्गा सुरुङ मार्ग निर्माण आयोजना प्रभावित परिवारहरूद्वारा जापान अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोग नियोग (जाइका)मा उजुरी

काठमाडौँ, नेपाल

नागढुङ्गा सुरुङ मार्ग निर्माण आयोजना प्रभावित परिवारहरूले आयोजनाका कारण खानेपानी र सिँचाइका स्रोतहरू सुकेको तथा घर र जग्गामा क्षति पुगेको भन्दै जापान अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोग नियोग (जाइका)मा आज उजुरी पेश गरेका छन्। आयोजनामा जाइकाको वातावरणीय तथा सामाजिक निर्देशिका (JICA Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations)को उल्लङ्घन भएको उल्लेख गर्दै उजुरीकर्ताहरुले जाइकाको निर्देशिका परीक्षकहरू (Examiners of the Guidelines)लाई दिएको उजुरीमा प्रभावित परिवारहरूलाई न्याय सुनिश्चित गर्न आयोजनाले निर्देशिका पालन गरे नगरेको अनुसन्धान गरी विवाद समाधान र मध्यस्थताको लागि अनुरोध गरेका छन्।

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Nepal’s Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project affected families file complaint with Japan International Cooperation Agency

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project affected families in the northwest of Kathmandu have today filed a complaint with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) citing impactsof the project on their sources of drinking water and irrigation as well as damages to their houses and lands. In the complaint, they have alleged that the impacts contravene the JICA’s Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations and requested the Examiners for the Guidelines to investigate compliance of the project with the Guidelines and mediate to resolve dispute for ensuring remedies to the affected families.

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Joint submission on the human rights situation of Indigenous Newa communities made to the UN for the 4th Universal Periodic Review of Nepal

Community Empowerment and Social Justice Network (CEMSOJ), Save Nepa Valley (SNV) Movement and Thāe Bāe Yā Lwāpu made a joint submission for the 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nepal. The UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States and is held under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council. The submission presents key human rights challenges faced by indigenous Newa communities, particularly in the context of “development” and business projects in Nepal and the systematic violations of rights to housing and property as well as cultural rights of the Jugi community within the Indigenous Newa nationality of Nepal. It  also  examines the compliance of the Government of Nepal with relevant recommendations received during the 3rd and 2nd UPR cycles of Nepal related to the rights of Newa and other Indigenous nationalities.

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जलविद्युत आयोजनाहरुको सन्दर्भमा आदिवासी माझी समुदायको अधिकार सम्बन्धि तालिम पुस्तिका

वि.सं. २०८१ चैत १५

जलविद्युत आयोजनाहरुको सन्दर्भमा आदिवासी माझी समुदायको अधिकार विषयक यस तालिम पुस्तिकाले आदिवासी माझी समुदायलाई सशक्त बनाउनको लागि एक बृहत् स्रोतको रुपमा काम गर्ने उद्देश्य लिएको छ । यसले जलविद्युत परियोजनाहरूको प्रभावको सन्दर्भमा समुदायको अधिकारको वकालतको लागि जनचेतना अभिबृद्धि र क्षमता विकासको लागि तत्काल रहेका आवश्यकताहरूलाई सम्बोधन गर्ने लक्ष्य राखेको छ । यो पुस्तिका माझी समुदायका अगुवा, अधिकार प्रतिरक्षक र अन्य मानवअधिकार तथा आदिवासी अधिकार प्रतिरक्षकहरूलाई सुनकोशी–३ र दुधकोशी जलविद्युत आयोजनाहरूको सम्बन्धमा बुझाई वृद्धि, अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय र राष्ट्रिय कानून अन्तर्गत आदिवासी जनजातिको अधिकारको प्राविधिक ज्ञान, व्यवहारिक वकालत, तालिम र जनचेतना अभिबृद्धिका लागि सीप विकासमा सहयोग गर्न तयार पारिएको छ ।

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Displaced and Landless: Endangered Indigenous Bankariya living in the buffer zone of Parsa National Park in Nepal

This summary report aims to analyze the human rights challenges of Nepal’s endangered Indigenous Bankariya people, particularly to their lands and forest resources, due to Parsa National Park in the south of the country. Traditionally a nomadic group living in forests, Bankariyas were provided six hectares of leasehold forests, where they currently live in informal settlements. The leasehold forests were later incorporated in the buffer zone of the Parsa National Park. Almost two decades later, Bankariyas now face the same challenge as around 6 million people of 34 districts living in buffer zones of various protected areas of Nepal. They do not have titles to the lands that they have been living on, using or occupying for generations. As a result, they face threats of forced evictions and displacement from their current settlement upon expiry of their lease and in lack of land titles.

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Improved Cooking Stoves training provided and construction undertaken at Chyaurang village in Makwanpur

On 25 May 2024, CEMSOJ provided a training on construction and maintenance of Improved Cooking Stove to Indigenous Tamangs and Chepangs of Chyaurang, Saleni Taar and Sukhel villages of Raksirang rural municipality in remote hills of Makawanpur district in southern Nepal. The Stoves are aimed to particularly benefit Indigenous women of the villages of Ward no. 9 of the rural municipality.

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15-kW Sankhar Khola Micro Hydropower Project set up at Dhirang village in remote hills of southern Nepal

On 26 May 2024, CEMSOJ inaugurated a 15-kW Sankhar Khola Micro Hydropower Project at Dhirang village of Raksirang rural municipality in remote hills of Makawanpur district in southern Nepal. The project will bring stable electricity for at least 120 households – all Indigenous Chepangs – from Dhirang, Darang, Garling and other villages in Ward no. 7 of the rural municipality.

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4-kW Sisneri Peltric Set Pico Hydropower Project inaugurated at Chyaurang village of Makwanpur district in southern Nepal

On 24 May 2024, CEMSOJ inaugurated a 4-kW Sisneri Peltric Set Pico Hydropower Project at Chyaurang village of Raksirang rural municipality in remote hills of Makawanpur district in southern Nepal. The project will bring stable electricity for at least 37 Indigenous Tamang and Chepang households in Chyaurang, Bhyalche, Tikuti and other villages of Ward no. 9 of the rural municipality.

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Rice and flour grinding mill handed over for women’s empowerment at Saleni Taar of Raksirang, Makwanpur

On 23 May 2024, CEMSOJ handed over a 4 horsepower dual hopper rice and flour grinding mill to Saleni Taar Pico Hydropower Users Committee for installation at Saleni Taar of Raksirang Rural Municipality, Ward no. 9 in Makwanpur district in southern Nepal.

In response to the request of the Committee, the mill is specifically aimed for socio-economic empowerment of the Indigenous Tamang and Chepang women from among the beneficiary families of the 6 kW pico hydropower plant that CEMSOJ had supported the Committee to set up and operate since last year by using the electricity from the plant not used during the daytime. The Committee has gradually increased its users from 35 to 48 over the year.

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Case Study: Tourism and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Nepal

Tourism industry plays and can further play a significant role for Nepal’s economy and prosperity, including in terms of environmental conservation. However, the industry has often entrenched marginalization of Indigenous Peoples in the country and resulted in violations of their rights, including in the context of establishment of protected areas, tourism establishments and businesses as well as representation of Indigenous image.

On many occasions, Indigenous Peoples have suffered loss of traditional lands and other violations of their rights in favor of tourism projects, which directly affects their lives and livelihoods. Particularly relevant is the establishment of protected areas, which have been mostly created by displacing Indigenous communities from their lands and resources. Concerningly, Indigenous communities have even been subjected to wide range of abuses, including killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, mistreatment, harassment as well as sexual violence against women at the hands of army, forest rangers and others in the context protected areas set up for environmental conservation and tourism.

Tourism establishments and business have also encroached upon lands and sacred sites of Indigenous communities in various parts of Nepal. Indigenous defenders and activists have faced retaliations and reprisals for raising their voices against violations of their rights and those of their communities in the context of such tourism undertakings, including at the hands of businesses.

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