Understanding Human-Environment Relationship of Local Communities - A Case Study of Nijgadh International Airport

Abstract

The human-environment relationship is changing with expansion of infrastructure over the years. While infrastructure expansion is integral to the national development, the associated consequences such as environmental degradation, social injustice and economic marginalization of local communities are often overlooked. This study seeks to understand the relationship between local communities and their surrounding environment; along with the socio-economic consequences due to infrastructure expansion. The research focuses on three settlements in and near the Nijgadh forest of Nepal: Tangiya Basti, Kathgaon, and Matiyani Tole which lie in the project area of Nijgadh International Airport. Qualitative methods such as Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussions, and Observations and Quantitative methods such as Household survey has been carried out in addition to review of different literatures. The research reveals the community are dependent on their surrounding ecosystem for livelihood such as agriculture, cattle grazing, chopping firewoods, non-timber forest products, etcetera. The findings also reveal how infrastructure projects can hinder development, taking the investment away from communities for their access of basic infrastructure services such as electricity, communication network, hospitals for years.