Nepal's Indigenous Bote community is caught between conservation and survival

July 13, 2025

The Bote, an Indigenous community comprising 0. 04 percent of Nepal's population, are facing significant challenges to their centuries-old way of life that centered around rivers, particularly fishing and boat navigation. Conservation measures, including a seven-year moratorium on new fishing licenses at Chitwan National Park, have severely restricted their access to traditional livelihoods and natural resources.

Who is affected

The Bote Indigenous community, particularly the Pani Bote who traditionally work as fishers and boaters
Approximately 60 Bote households in Patihani village in Chitwan district
Bote communities living in the buffer zones of Chitwan National Park
Bote residents across several districts including Syangja, Gulmi, Palpa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Gorkha, Tanahun, and Baglung

What action is being taken

Chitwan National Park is enforcing strict conservation laws requiring fishing licenses
The national park has stopped issuing new fishing licenses for the past seven years
The national park is implementing a fortress conservation approach that restricts resource access for nearby communities
The Bote community is urging the government to consider their survival as part of the conservation equation

Why it matters

The Bote community's centuries-old way of life and cultural identity are at risk of disappearing
Without fishing licenses, community members face severe unemployment and economic hardship
The situation represents a conflict between conservation goals and Indigenous rights
The Bote community lacks alternative skills and economic opportunities outside their traditional occupations
Most Botes do not own land and live on government land, increasing their vulnerability
Conservation success is coming at the expense of Indigenous communities who have historically lived in harmony with nature

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices