After the maize sprouted, heavy hail fell. There are very few Chepangs who can eat their own crops all year round. It is the hereditary obligation of the Chepangs to live in 6 months co-existence and 6 months famine.
Chitwan: Indramaya Chepang was grinding maize in a mill near Angena's house. There were also two young girls. In the afternoon, she was plowing corn in Pakhobari when the sun was about to set.
The corn of Bari is not taller than a bit. The crop of rocky land is to be taken care of only after August.
There is no more than two bushels of maize in the mill. "There is not a single head of maize left in the house now," she said. What to do after the corn runs out? As soon as she heard the question, she left the mill and went out. There were two bundles all over Adai. Bringing a head in front of her, she said, They make vegetables by picking cisno's mustache.
Gittha is a fruit that grows on a leafy plant like a yam. It is bitter. After making thin tea, it should be cooked overnight by mixing ash in water to avoid bitterness. The Chepangs also search for yams and vultures in the forest at this time. According to the Chepang leader, if not eaten properly, vultures do not benefit but harm.
Rapti municipality is located in the eastern part of Chitwan. The municipality has an office at Bhandara Bazaar, 20 km east of Bharatpur. From there, take a jeep north and reach Kalitar in 3 hours via a hilly road. In winter, jeeps run up to Kalitar. Far west-north beyond Kalitar is Indramaya's home village, Double Taksai. Houses are far away in this village in Rapti Municipality-13.
Extreme pain
Double taxis can be reached in an hour and a half on foot from Kalitar. This place belongs to ward number 13 of Rapti municipality. Even though it is a municipality, there is no road and electricity. There are scattered houses on the steep slopes. The place is inaccessible and remote. From there, after walking up and down for about 3 hours, you reach Kanda village. Chekaram Chepang of Kanda is a hardworking man. Because he farms well, he does not have to face famine like others.
But this time, fear has entered Chekaram's mind as well. Zucchini can be seen in his maize field along with small maize seedlings. It is associated with destruction. 'The hail came and mixed all the soil without being able to pick the ripe mustard ripe in winter. After sowing the maize, the mustard grew. And even after another catastrophe, hail came hard. Maize has not grown yet. This year also brings famine to me, 'said Chekram.
Maize is growing at this time. Maize is the main crop of the hill. Most of the Chepangs living side by side do not have a paddy field. Apart from maize, there is no tradition of planting second crop. Maize planted in Chait-Vaisakh is ready to be eaten in Saun-Bhadau. Therefore, there are very few Chepangs who can eat their own crops all year round. It is the hereditary obligation of the Chepangs to live in 6 months of famine and 6 months of famine.
Food shortage is an old problem in Chepang village. This time the hail disaster has also been added. The biggest crisis will be brought about by lockdown. Bhupendra Chepang, Ward Chairman of Ichchakamana Village Municipality-6 says, “There is always a shortage of food at home. From the villages, young and old masons used to go to Bharatpur, Gorkha, Dhading, Pokhara and Kathmandu to work. He used to earn a little, buy and eat. Now the lockdown has stopped that too. '
According to Laxman Chepang, former president of the Chitwan branch of the Nepal Chepang Association, the number of Chepangs in the district is around 30,000. Everyone's income situation is almost the same. There are very few Chepangs who can eat all year round. Even after the lockdown period, Chepang is facing crisis after crisis.
The municipality's plan was to provide employment to the boys of the village. But now there are not many plans. However, there is only work to be done by the machine, 'said Ward Chairman Bhupendra Chepang.' Giving relief is not always enough. We have to make a long-term plan. ' He has seen good ginger cultivation in Chepang village. But it costs Rs 250 per kg to buy ginger seeds. Chepangs are hesitant to buy rice or ginger.
Goat rearing and vegetable farming are also potential areas for Chepangs. 'Now there are young people who have returned to the village from different places. If they could be involved in it, the face of Chepang village would change, 'said Bhim Bahadur Chepang, president of the Nepal Chepang Association Chitwan.' But what Chepang has not done so far, it is difficult to say now.
The Chepangs had started vegetable farming in Ichchakamana-2 Hapani village. It was sold in the Fisling Bazaar. "It simply came to our notice then. There was a lot of loss. There are new vegetables but there is a fear that they will not be sold, 'said Khushi Kumal Chepang of Hapni.
Chairman Bhim Bahadur said that the relief was distributed by the municipalities once or twice. 'Relief is not enough. Nothing happens. Because now the crisis is not only for Chepang but also for the world, 'he said. But we have talked to Prost at the local level that this weaker section has its own problems. Now let the local level think about us. '
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