A 59-member Tharu joint family splits to form a new settlement in Bardiya
Summary
A 59-member Tharu joint family in Bardiya splits into nine separate households, reflecting changing social dynamics in rural Nepal, while maintaining cooperation in labor and construction amid challenges from wildlife in the Khata Bio-corridor.
Key Points
- A large Tharu joint family of 59 members in Bardiya has split into nine separate households through mutual agreement.
- Despite separation, family members collaborate on building their new homes, preserving traditional reciprocal labor practices.
- The family relies on agriculture and faces challenges from wild elephants in the Khata Bio-corridor along Bardiya National Park.
- A micro home insurance scheme under the Tarai Arc Landscape programme compensates households affected by wildlife damage.
- The gradual shift from joint to nuclear families reflects broader social changes in rural Nepal, including economic pressures and migration.
