KATHMANDU, May 31: A book titled "Indigenous Peoples' Rights in Nepal: Policy Status, Challenges and Opportunities" was launched along with "The Indigenous World 2017 ", an annual report of the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) amidst a program here today. 

IWGIA is an organization with its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, working for the rights and welfare of indigenous people worldwide. 

The book, published by the Lawyers' Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous People, is a compilation of articles written on the various themes such as situation of women in Nepal and efforts made for their improvement, government policies and international provisions regarding indigenous nationalities women and children, legal framework on the rights of indigenous people in Nepal, policy analysis on indigenous peoples and forest resources in Nepal, ensuring indigenous peoples' rights in policies on forest, water and other resources and issues , challenges and way in this regard, issue and challenges regarding community engagement in hydropower development, among others. 

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Minister for Land Reform and Management, Gopal Dahit said the government had internalized the need of guaranteeing rights of indigenous people to land, water and other natural resources and was committed to ensuring their rights from every angle. 

Similarly, IWGIA Asia Coordinator Ms Signe Leth said the IWGIA report gives a comprehensive picture of worldwide situation of indigenous peoples. "Indigenous peoples are facing challenges in the recognition in existence and deprived of their participation in the decision-making level. Their situation is still alarming, only a few are in socio-economic development process. Their rights to land and resources are being neglected and they are tortured and even killed for claiming their rights over land." 

Nepal Bar Association (NBA) President Sher Bahadur KC insisted on the need of ensuring the participation of indigenous peoples in the constitutional bodies in this or that way so as to uplift them from politically. RSS 
 

 
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