Impact of Livelihood Assets on Strategies and Covid-19 Vulnerabilities Among Hydropower Displaced Communities in Nepal: Empirical Research of Arun III and Middle Bhotekoshi

This paper presents research on the hydropower-displaced communities of the Middle Bhotekoshi and Arun-III projects in Nepal, focusing on the effects of different livelihood assets on their livelihood strategies. The study finds that certain assets, such as social and human capital, significantly affect livelihood strategy selection, while others, such as physical and financial capital, do not. Additionally, most households (66%) diversified their income away from agriculture. Although non-farm sources were the most viable strategy, the majority (67.77%) of people living below the international poverty line also used this strategy. The paper also explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hydropower-displaced people in Nepal, highlighting key challenges such as reduced household income, disrupted agricultural production, and inadequate access to medical care. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for targeted interventions to address the specific needs of hydropower-displaced people in Nepal, considering both their displacement and the ongoing pandemic.