Insights from Morang, Biratnagar, Nepal: March 2021

Climate change and the environment determinants of violence and mental distress in fragile contexts: Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Nepal

This blog is No.8 of a roughly monthly sharing of insights from the experiences of ‘Displacement narrators’ who work with our project team to tell us about major changes and events in the community context. They give voice to community concerns from around Biratnagar Municipality in Nepal, reflecting and reporting on environmental factors, events arising in the community, and issues of emotional wellbeing and how these various changes contribute positively and negatively to women’s experience of violence. Whilst the experiences shared are often harrowing, we hope that those receiving this newsletter will find the contents useful in shaping their project activities and policy thinking. 

Professor Tamsin Bradley, University of Portsmouth

Some headline news from narrators in Biratnagar Municipality:

• The harvest is good, and farmers in Ward 19 are looking forward to cultivation, working for daily wages often on other peoples land, as they don’t own their own.
  
• 13 women have been honoured for the help they gave in the medical sector during the devastating Covid-19 period.
  
• ‘Sapta Byapi’ weekly program was celebrated on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day to raise awareness of women’s rights. As part of this many organisations arranged blood donation campaigns, and a food programme was organized for Senior citizens in Birat Old Age home.
  
• Due to increasing traffic, a major project to build a bridge on the Biratnagar-Dharan highway has been agreed upon with an estimated budget for the project is Rs.23, 900,000.
  
• The addition of a new building at Shree Aadharmukh School in Morang’s Katahari rural municipality has been passed. Quality education is planned for the community and an investment fund of more than 1 crore rupees has been budgeted. There has been both individual and institutional support for this. Prakash Mundre, Head of Morang’s Trade department donated 3 lakhs worth of furniture to the school.

Environmental conditions 

Summer has started in Biratnagar but due to the dry climate pollution has increased and the farming has been highly affected as farmers wait for rainfall.  

Price hikes are also seen in spinach and other green vegetables as due to the dryness the production is really low. 

COVID situation 

The first stage vaccination program has started in Biratnagar and senior citizens of age of 65 have been vaccinated. People are now getting vaccinated without hesitation, but the doses are not enough

The fear of COVID-19 among people in the area is increasing as the number of cases is rising, and people are alarmed by the rapid rise in the numbers of infections in India, particularly as this district borders India.

Although people are afraid, in reality, it is observed that only about 1/4 are practicing good hygiene and the basics of COVID-19 prevention like using a face mask and sanitizer and washing hands.

Mental health and wellbeing 

People’s mental health is being affected due to the increasing number of cases of Covid-19. Homeless people are now being kept in the shelter home in Biratnagar with the initiation of the wards and the municipality.

The health posts remain open from 10am-6pm and provide many free services including:

• Checkups and free medicine
• Polio service for children
• Awareness raising on the importance of sanitation
• Establishing polio booths
• Providing check-ups and supplements provided for pregnant women

Gender issues and incidents of violence

A couple more cases of domestic violence were reported by narrators this month. These were:

A prominent case in ward 19 of Biratnagar metropolitan, where a woman filed for divorce against her husband after 4 years in an abusive relationship. The man was having an extramarital affair and she was the victim of domestic violence. She had tried filing divorce before but every time the case was solved with mutual understanding and mediation. Now, finally, the case was filed legally, and the proceedings await finalisation. 

The second case involved dowry related violence. Since Sajami Gupta (name changed) and Ranab Gupta (name changed) got married she has been facing pressure from her in-laws due to her dowry. They were demanding a 4-wheeler vehicle and an apartment in Bangalore city in India, and even after the death of Sajami’s father the demands continued.

Sajami is pregnant and her in-laws are still saying that they will not accept the child growing in her womb as their son’s baby if the dowry demand is not fulfilled. The case has received attention from the local government and updates are being collected regarding any future proceedings.

Support received from government and other agencies 

One narrator reports many programmes conducted by local government and other organisations, whilst another saw no visible signs of any support this month !

Key issues at the community level

Alcohol problems and high levels of related domestic violence among Dalit families continue to be noted. Whilst arranged child marriage is illegal and not observed much these days but child marriage is still being observed in Biratnagar ward no.19, mostly as a result of young people liking each other and eloping to get married.