Biratnagar, Feb. 20 -- In Karaiya, ward 6 of Budhiganga Rural Municipality, Dilcharan Rishidev breaks green bamboo with a spade. Life here is a daily struggle for the 60 Musahar families living without land ownership certificates, clean drinking water, or proper schools.

"What can we do? If we don't work, we don't get to eat," said Suresh Rishidev, shaking his head. "No one cares about poor labourers like us."

Until last year, winter dust choked the settlement. Roads around Karaiya had long been paved, but the stretch in front of their homes was blacktopped only this year. Shambha Kumari Rishidev, sitting on a bamboo stool with a child on her lap, laughed wryly when asked about the new road. "Before, the wind brought the dust; now it's ...