Sustainable Development and Indigenous livelihood: A case study analysis of Chepang and Tamang in Nepal

Sustainable development is the novelty and best practice for the marginal Chepang and Tamang who manage traditional livelihood to manage food security and nutrition in Nepal. This study aims to examine the ongoing livelihood patterns and challenges of Chepang and Tamang in Makwanpur and Chitwan districts following farming practices. A cross-sectional design with mixed method analysis with purposive stratified sample method was used and 94 surveyed houses were answered from the three LG of Makwanpur and Chitwan districts during Dec 2024-Jan 2025. The result illustrated that both the surveyed Chepang and Tamang practicing traditional farming anticipate seasonal food stock and traditional knowledges that fit best for sustainable development. In addition, the ongoing farming is traditional and low returning challenging the livelihood patterns. Climate Change, lack of farming skills, and market connectivity is limited and farmers are depending on readymade market stock which is drawbacks of sustainability. The primary and secondary livelihoods are farming and wage labors patterns are gradually changing into dependencies. The local and traditional farm production are reducing due to a lack of technical knowledge, climate, and inappropriate support from the development agencies. Lack of production and self-sufficiency are limited. The self-sufficiency P value is highly significant and Negative correlations shows that food sufficiency and farming are highly associated each other. The study concluded the farming practices of Cheapng and Tamang are traditional insufficient and depending more in market access. The Development supports are limited and lack of sectoral development activities added challenges in sustainable development and future livelihood. Local Production enhancement and multiple livelihood options are suggested to manage food and sustainability in farming practices are advised.