Perceptions of Climate Change Impacts on Tharu Livelihoods: A Case Study from Birendranagar, Nepal

This study set out to explore how the Tharu community in Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet District, experiences and responds to the impacts of climate change, particularly in areas like farming, health, income, and the environment.Information was gathered through discussions, interviews, and observations involving 35 community members and one knowledgeable local for their insights.Although climate change is a prominent issue in the world and country, depending on discussions, very little attention is given to climate's impact on indigenous peoples, such as the Tharu, and its mitigation implications.Moreover, research shows that Nepal's Himalayan regions, especially the middle and higher altitudes, are particularly vulnerable.Within this context, the investigation revealed that Tharu people hold varying attitudes and experiences with respect to the impact of climate change on their agriculture, health, and the natural environment.On the one side, the results draw attention to the difficulties of rural communities in adapting to weather variability and environmental modification.However, they also show that rural groups are relatively less informed of the adverse effects of climate change than urban groups.Additionally, the paper brings attention to the implementable tactics being used by the Tharu people in their attempts to manage these difficulties and reduce their effects on their lives.As a conclusion to this research, however, it is highlighted that solutions must be developed with a special focus on the specific challenges faced by rural and indigenous peoples, so as to truly ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are heeded appropriately.