Nepal's Bote Community Remains Tied to Traditional Livelihoods Amidst Calls for Skill Development and Secure Housing

The Bote community in Nawalparasi remains dependent on their traditional occupations. Fishing, operating boats, and manual labor have been the main sources of income for this community's members for generations.

Although access to education, health, and roads has improved somewhat, the community's standard of living has not seen the expected improvement due to a lack of necessary skills, alternative employment, and guaranteed permanent settlement.

Runkumar Bote, from the Bote Majhi settlement in Madhyabindu Municipality-2, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), stated that although his community desires to pursue new professions, they have been unable to do so. "We don't know much beyond fishing. If there were training and employment opportunities, we could take up new work, but so far, we have had to rely on this profession," he said.

Most families of the Bote community living near the riverbanks head to the river early in the morning. Some cast nets, while others earn a living by operating boats. Local Shyamkumari Bote shared that they have to support their families with the small amount earned from a full day's hard work. According to her, the new generation is forced to remain bound to the old professions due to the lack of alternative employment.

Bote said, "The children are studying, but there is uncertainty about what they will do after finishing their education. If they received training to teach skills for earning a living, they could move into different fields. It would be easier to live a dignified life."

In a devastating flood in the Narayani River in BS 2058, 238 households from the former Narayani VDC-3, 4, and Kolhuwa VDC-6 Nandapur were displaced. Among them, about 38 Bote families were relocated to the Bote Majhi Tole settlement in the current Madhyabindu Municipality-2. They have been living on the 10 dhur of land provided by the government for years, but they have yet to receive the land ownership certificate (Lalpuja).

Local residents say, "If land ownership is secured, we can be confident about the future. Although we are currently residing here, we feel insecure due to the lack of legal documents."

Local Purnima Bote stated that the state should prioritize education, skill-based training, and targeted employment programs for this community, which is considered socially and economically marginalized. She believes that only by developing modern skills alongside preserving traditional occupations can the new generation move out of the poverty line.

Bote said, "Although the local level provides some social security and basic services, there is a lack of long-term income-generating programs." She added, "The government should bring plans to connect the fishing profession with tourism, aquaculture, and small enterprises by modernizing it in a respectable manner."

The Bote community has a significant presence in the areas of Gaindakot, Devchuli, Kawasoti, and Madhyabindu Municipality in the district. According to the National Census of BS 2078, the population of the Bote community in the district is 2,406.

Elderly members of the Bote community say, "We were born with the river, and we have lived by the river. If the state now shows a new path for our children, our struggle will have meaning."

The Bote community, rich in traditional knowledge and culture, is still struggling to find a basis for livelihood. It is believed that if skills, employment, and secure housing are ensured, their standard of living will improve, and their traditional identity will also be preserved. With the election atmosphere ongoing, this community is holding onto this hope from the parties and their candidates."