Resettled Wellbeing And Biological Impact Analysis: A Case Of Padampur Village Development Committee In The Chitwan National Park, Nepal

There is insoluble dilemma between biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction. This dilemma directly arises in park creation programs, when intended park areas are inhabited by poor indigenous people. There has been a complex structure to maintain double sustainability principle, i.e., sustainability in conservation and livelihood. The present study was carried out in Padampur relocated village at Barandabhar Corridor area of Chitwan National Park, Nepal to understand the wellbeing of the relocated people. The relocation project was people initiated rather than forced population displacement. Random quadrates sampling were adopted for biological impact analysis and detailed interviews were taken through the conceptual lens of the Impoverishment Risk and Reconstruction model (IRR model) for analyzing the livelihood of peoples (two stage, snowball without replacement random sampling). After resettlement program, it has shown some improvement of livelihood of people. However there were some constraints in using traditional resources, culture and knowledge which are troubling to indigenous Tharus. Similarly, shortage of water and low productivity are obstructing the day to day work of resettled people. There was a need of strong management policy for conservation of biological element at relocated place, particularly in Barandabhar Corridor forest.