Description
Mangale is a humble fisherman in the remote village of Pandav Nagar in southern Nepal. He’s a member of the Bote people, a small ethnic group of traditional fishermen probably no more than 8,000 strong.
Since 1973 Mangale and the Bote have been denied access to the rivers and land which usually provided their livelihood and food.
Though it’s much more than that – they are Nepal’s Dispossessed – the area has great spiritual significance to the Bote who regard the land and water as sacred.
Instead the area was turned into one of Nepal’s most famous tourist attractions, the Chitwan National Park. The Nepalese authorities try to keep the Bote out. Army patrols police the area and every time Mangale attempts to go fishing, he risks being caught.
Even when he does get away with it, there is no guarantee the fish will bite. Often he returns home empty handed.
Part of a 28 x 25-minute documentary series produced for the BBC. These films can be bought individually or as a series.