in Nepal THERE is a myth prevalent among many people that Nepal is a land of ethnic harmony where Hindus, Buddhists and Animists all get along. Indeed, many people (especially Nepal's ruling elite) point to current strife in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to support claims that Nepal is the only country in South Asia that has not been afflicted with chronic conflict between different ethnic groups. Current ethnic relations in Nepal however, when looked at from the perspective of land rights, reveal tremendous conflict between politically and economically dominant high caste {Brahman, Chetri and Thakuri) Hindus and Buddhist and Animist ethnic minority groups. What follows is a discussion of how Limbu, Chepang and Tharu tribes have lost much of their lands, and the consequences of this for members of their respective societies.