KATHMANDU, Aug 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was marked across Nepal by organizing various programs on Friday.

To mark the day, a rally was organized from Bhrikutimandap to Maitighar Mandal in the capital. Hundreds of people representing from various indigenous communities participated in the rally. 

August 9 commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.

The term “indigenous” refers to a community or caste living in a place from the earliest times and having its native language, traditions, customs, unique cultural identities, distinct social structures and written or written history.

The Nepal government has listed 59 ethnic groups as indigenous communities. According to the census 2011 census, indigenous communities occupy 35.4 percentage of the total population which is 9,368,178. The Tharu community ranks the first with 1,737,470 while the Kusundas are only 273 among indigenous tribes. 
 
This day was observed to preserve and promote the identity and existence of indigenous tribes following an increase in the population of immigrants. 
 
Aboriginal people represent 5 percent of the world population. Of total poverty population in the world, 15% of them belong to indigenous tribes.   

 
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