Landslides have an underestimated impact on rural livelihoods and
food security in Nepal, with little attention received from government,
the international community, or researchers. Landslides are the leading
natural hazard after epidemics, killing over 100 persons per year
and are predicted to increase with more intense monsoon rains (Ministry
of Home Affairs (MoHA), Government of Nepal and Disaster Preparedness
Network (DPNet) (2009) Nepal Disaster Report 2009: The Hazardscape
and Vulnerability, Kathmandu). This paper explores current landslide
trends in Nepal and impacts on rural development. Six communities
in Central-Eastern Nepal were studied; four of landslide-affected
rural communities, and for comparison's sake, two are flood-affected
urban areas. The research links geological knowledge about landslides
with a social analysis of affected populations. The study's methods
are interdisciplinary, combining a geological assessment of landslides,
with participatory social science research methods. Results show
that landslides are very costly for households, often obliging them
to convert or abandon rice fields, reconstruct their houses, or migrate
abroad, considerably affecting food security. The goal of this research
is to contribute to the literature on integrated approaches to landslide
risk reduction.