Gender analysis of environmental conservation in upland agriculture systems : a case study in the middle hills of Nepal | |
| Author | Pandey, Ganesh Bahadur |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.HS-92-21 |
| Subject(s) | Women in agriculture--Nepal Sexual division of labor--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-92-21 |
| Abstract | The Begnas Village Development Committee area of Kaski District was sub-divided into two distinct sub-settlements, Begnas located at higher and Pachabhaiya at lower altitude. The households were mainly headed by males. The educational status of females was much lower compared to males. Agriculture was the main occupation for more than 70 percent of the households in which engagement of female household members (64.4 %) was much stronger than that of male household members (35.4 %). Land distribution was highly skewed ranging from 0.685 ha. to 2.865 ha. Production efficiency was higher in Begnas than Pachabhaiya sub-settlement. The most pressing problems were soil moisture stress followed by small size of holding and fragmented land. Livestock rearing was an integral pait of the local farming systems, with rearing more livestock in Begnas than Pachabhaiya. From the gender point of view, division of labor was well defined. Manure transportation, transplanting, weeding and hoeing of crops were the sole responsibilities of women, while land preparation and use of draft power were the major responsibility of men. In decision-making, female household members performed a stronger role, particularly in crop seed selection, labor exchange management and deciding on planting/harvesting dates. Owing to environmental protection and sustainability of resource use, fuelwood/fodder cutting and collection practices were rather more important than the amount collected. Farmers were found well aware of environmental degradation and following the conservation oriented practices. Farm households of Begnas though were found following relatively better conservation practices than at Pachabhaiya. Environmental crisis is not simply a matter of supply and demand. Rather, unequal distribution of land resources is the cause of resource depletion. In this regard women become central to the equation. Therefore, it is important to address women in resource management not simply to promote their cause, but because women are frequent users and manipulators of natural resources. Without the commitment of women, no effort to protect the environment can succeed. |
| Year | 1992 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-92-21 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Weber, K. E.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Upasena, S. H. ;Kelkar, G. ;Miah, M. A. Quader; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian International Development Agency; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology |