Changing livelihood strategies of dalit community in Kohalpur Municipality-10, Banke, Nepal

Abstract

The purpose of this study, titled Changing Livelihood Strategies of Dalit Community In Kohalpur Municipality-10, Banke,Nepal is to examine Dalit ancestral occupation, to discover the changing pattern of dalit occupation, and to analyze the influence of new occupation taken on their livelihood. The research is based on descriptive research. The population of Ward 10 has been chosen for this study in its entirety. 175 households respondent from Ward No. 10 of Kohalpur municipality were chosen for this study using a simple random selection procedure. There were 175 dalits among the total responses, out of a total of 325. The study reveals that, among the 116 respondent who adopted a new occupation in the past and present time, information was obtained about which profession they had adopted before. Earlier, the number of respondents who adopted a new occupation was only 73. In addition, there were 59 respondents who had adopted their old occupation, 102 more than whom had adopted their traditional occupation in the past. The study reveals that, among the 116 respondents who have adopted a new occupation , in the past there were only 3 respondent who earned more than 20000 ,but now there are 56 people. It can be seen that the number of respondents who have enough food for more than 10 months is now 75 percent. in the same way. It can be seen that the income of those who adopted the traditional occupation has increased. Especially the tailor occupation has seen such progress. Likewise, with the increase in income, it can be seen that their property, quality of living standard , food sufficiency level ,is also increasing. The study reveals that, among the 33.71 percent population work in traditional occupations, while the rest (49.14%) work in agriculture, agricultural labor, service, and other sectors. Because of prepackaged commodities and their impact on local products, the market economy has a negative impact on Dalit traditional occupations. Due to various challenges in the Dalit occupation, they are deprived of continuing their traditional occupation. There are mainly challenges are as well in Dalit profession, Financial problem training challenge like raw material etc. they always have to face. It seems that the relevant bodies should pay attention immediately, which will help in protecting their traditional profession.