In order to formulate any coping or adaptation strategies, first of all the communities facing climate change
should perceive that the changes are indeed taking place. This paper analyzes how the Chepangs, one of the highly
marginalized indigenous nationalities living in the remote Mid-Hills of Nepal, perceive climate change. The study is
based on household survey conducted among randomly selected 221 Chepang households. The community responses are
compared with the actual trends of temperature and rainfall recorded in the meteorological stations located near the study
sites. A probit model is used to analyze the characteristics that differentiate the respondents who perceive the changes in
line with the recorded data from those who do not. Nearly one-third of the respondents are able to perceive the changes in
line with the recorded data, meanwhile there are still many respondents who do not perceive any changes at all. Access to
information, and extension services (as indicated by ownership of radio and membership in groups) are the most
important factors facilitating perceptions of both temperature and rainfall changes. Cultivation of cash crops also
facilitates perceptions of rainfall significantly. On the other hand, formal education and engagement in non-farm income
sources reduce the ability to perceive the climatic changes. It is worth noting that, in case of temperature, farming
experience is not sufficient to perceive the ongoing changes. Priority must be placed on the dissemination of relevant
information at the community level and updating the educational curriculum to include the issues related to climate
change.