Livelihood...

Categorised as one of the 50 least developed countries, Nepal ranks 138th out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index (UNDP 2006) and falls into the UNDP category of ?low human development'. Nepal?s citizens have an average life expectancy of 62 years and an annual per capita income of USD 490.

Government statistics show that 31.8% of the population is living below the poverty line; non-government studies put this figure above 60%. The degree of poverty varies between communities and geographical areas with some experiencing levels as high as 85%.

The Human Development Report (UNDP 2004) states that 29% of rural households do not own any farmland. With an average household size of 5.45 members (2001 census) this equates to over 5.5 million landless people.

Land has always been the prime source of socio, economic and political power in Nepal and while it enables a few wealthy landlords to wield considerable influence it also ensures that the landless and near landless are alienated and marginalised from society.

...and I'm now working with a land rights organisation CSRC so you'll find more about this over the coming year...

Love, light & peace

J