By using both qualitative and quantitative data generated from primary as well
as secondary sources the study tries to find out to what extent the social
mobilization approach of UNDP supported Village Development Program (VDP)
was effective to include and able to empower the indigenous Tharu people. The
socio-economic status of majority of Tharus was weak and limited by state policies
since historical period and local power relations which played the pivotal role
to result to exclude them from the mainstream of development. In macro level the
social mobilization approach of VDP was strong to initiate the issue of inclusion
to empower the marginalized people, but in local level it was weak to implement
the policies efficiently and effectively regards to local diverse conditions and
differentiated actors. The diversity in the village resulted in the different
responses to the social mobilization program. Particularly the social
mobilization process was generalized and limited by the local networks of power
relation.