Impact of remittance in Karlim community of Bihun VDC of Baglung district

Abstract

This study attempts to examine the status, use and impact of remittance in rural Nepal. The objective of this research is to examine the use and impact of remittance on livelihood of Karlim community, and changing their social and economic status. To meet the goal of these objectives, the study used quantitative and qualitative research methods. In addition, the study applies the concepts of migration and remittance approaches to the study.

People from Karlim community of Bihun VDC are going aboard especially Japan in order to earn money. Most of Male workers in Japan have been work in restaurant as a cook. Some of them have started own restaurant business in Japan. Remittance has been utilized to support their family in terms of education, health and living expenses. Social status is being higher due to higher income. Often, it has been found that they have used money just for consuming in their foods, clothing. And, they build or repair their old house, buy ornaments and fixed assets like land and so on that is considered unproductive. Economic empowerment has lead to the social change. They use recent technology like mobile, television; camera, watch etc are being used in the village. Thus, the lifestyle has been changed. Due to the remittance, the social discrimination has been mitigated. Karlim people are found in dilemma since the new generation is not willing to sustain their traditional occupation. It also does not meet their growing needs and expenses. The trend of going aboard has been increased day by day because of no any other employment opportunities in the village. They are compelled to do so due to lack of land, property and education.

Apart from the positive role and impact, remittance also has some negative impacts. Karlim people are going to lose their traditional identities. Their traditional occupation was agriculture, milk production and goat keeping. But now due to the foreign employment and remittance their traditional occupation is minimized. The most youth generation are looking for alternative work in the place of their traditional occupation because they could not sustain their traditional occupation. The young generation also not followed their old occupation.