Livelihood Strategy of Bote Community

Abstract

This thesis on the ‘Livelihood Strategy of Bote Community‟ was conducted in Bharatpur Sub-Metropolitan -26 Patihani, Chitwan district. The main objective of the study is to know the livelihood condition of Bote community of Patihani. Whereas the specific objectives are to in- vestigate existing socio-economic condition of Bote community, to explore traditional livelihood strategies of Bote People and to analyze the impact of modernization in Bote community in study area. Bote communities are one of the ethnic groups of Nepal and have identified of their livelihood through fishery since historically. Change is a universal and continuous phenomenon, which is found in all the societies at all time. This study is carried on to answer the following research questions:  What are the changes in the socio-economic milieu that have contributed to the changes in the livelihood strategies of Bote ?  What are the drivers of the changes in the livelihood strategies of Botes?  How sustainable are the economic activities of Botes in providing them livelihood security? The study is descriptive as well as explanatory in nature. Both qualitative as well as quantitative data were used in the research. Out of 89 Bote households of the area 50 households has been selected by simple random sampling method. This ward was selected purposively because the population of the Bote community is concentrated in this ward. The livelihood strategy of Bote community in the study area is in transition. The evidences col- lected from the field showed that rate of socio-economic change in Bote community are high which contributed in the process of livelihood pattern. It is shifted from fishing, boating as a primary source of livelihood to agricultural and agricultural to non-agricultural one. Research in this community i.e Patihani shows that historically people had their livelihood from fishing but it is almost declining and they adopted agriculture based activities. Some of old generation people still continuing fishery however most of the households (people of 6 middle age and young generation) are involving mainly in agriculture/farming and others livelihood occupations which are seasonal labour works;, some skilled occupations; carpentry, cycle maintenances. The area is also having opportunities of tourism thus some of young gener- ation are working at hotels, restaurant nearby the villages. livelihood modernization introducing also opportunities and involvement of people in multiple occupation such as, agriculture and skill works, vegetable farming and livestock, farming, some businesses of the study areas which shows good livelihood diversifications. Besides, foreign employment have recently emerged livelihood strategies of the young people. There are As analysis of five assets of sustainable livelihoods; social capital, human capital, natural capi- tal, physical capital and financial capital which found towards satisfactory of the Bote communi- ty however there is also need of capacity building programme for socio- economic empowerment Their indigenous knowledge and skills (fishing, fish net knitting weaving, etc) are need be preserved and promoted.