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This research investigated how livelihood activities of different castes of people within a community forest user group at two sites (Laxmi Mahila CF and Jalbire Mahila CF) in Gorkha district of Nepal adapt with local weather events and climate variability. The factors affecting the adaptive capacity of different castes of people were also analysed. The main weather events and climate variabilities found in the study sites were increase in dry periods, changes in rainfall pattern and increase in temperature. There were three main groups of castes at the study sites: higher castes (Brahimin and Chhetri), ethnic castes (Newar, Gurung and Magar) and lower castes or marginalized castes (Damai and Sarki). The wealth ranking of households was categorized into rich, medium and poor groups. It was found that the livelihood activities of households varied according to castes that affected their adaptive capacities. The higher castes people were mainly involved in government jobs and teachings while the ethnic groups were more involved in local trade and local business. In contrast to this, the lower or marginalized castes were mainly engaged in local labour works and forest dependent activities. The people belonging to lower castes had limited livelihood options than other two groups and thus had less adaptive capacity. They were more dependent on forest products for their livelihoods but the establishment of community forest was not solution for their livelihood activities. By comparing the two different local communities, it was found that the adaptive capacity of Laxmi Mahila CF was higher than that of Jalbire Mahila CF. Adaptation activities of two communities were found different regarding changes in species composition, local trade, income generating activities, cattle composition and seasonal jobs.

Key words: Adaptation, adaptive capacity, local trade, species composition, seasonal jobs.

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Citation: Neupane B (2014). Caste-wise differences in livelihood activities that affected adaptation against extreme weather events and climate variability. J. Agric. Crop Res. 2(4): 71-82.