Resettlement for conservation: Assessing health and social security challenges in Nepal's biodiverse regions

Abstract

Conservation-driven displacement remains a contentious issue, raising concerns about balancing biodiversity protection with resettlers' health and social security. This study examines the impacts of ecological resettlement (ER) on communities displaced from 11 villages in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), a biodiverse region with six protected areas, three Ramsar sites, and two World Heritage Sites. Grounded in social security theories, it explores five key themes: individual and community protection, social relationships, income and education, healthcare access, and subsistence-based food production. Data from 215 randomly sampled households (10 % sampling intensity), 11 focus groups, 30 key informant interviews, field observations, and policy reviews were analyzed using general linear models and descriptive statistics. Findings show significant differences (p < 0.05) in health and social security experiences, with agriculture-dependent households, elderly individuals, ethnic communities, and women disproportionately affected. The first five years post-resettlement saw severe disruptions, with gradual improvements over time, driven more by political ecology, globalization, and development trends than by resettlement agency support. However, Indigenous communities face persistent challenges, including loss of food security, weakened social ties, and barriers to indigenous healthcare. Resettlement disrupts traditional, nature-based healing practices, hindering the intergenerational transfer of knowledge. These issues are further exacerbated by global development pressures. This study calls for the mandatory establishment of essential health and social security services before resettlement, ensuring resettlers representation in decision-making. Integrating on-site livelihood strategies into social security frameworks is crucial for sustainable well-being.