This article examines the contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) domesticated on shifting cultivation plots (called Khoriya in Nepali) to household economy of Chepang communities in Nepal. This is in view of the possible contribution of NTFPs to enhance economic condition in areas unsuitable for field crop cultivation. The study is based on the survey of 120 "Chepang" households and group discussion held in a small mountain watershed of Nepal divided into two elevational zones during the month of May-September 2001. The analysis begins with the examination of variation in the socioeconomic condition of Chepang communities in upper and lower elevational zones then, extends into exploring relationship between several socioeconomic variables and income from NTFPs grown on shifting cultivated lands. The results indicate increasing NTFP cultivation and income from lower to higher altitudes. There is a good prospect for uplifting the socioeconomic standard of the Chepang hill tribe and for alleviating pressure on forest resources through the promotion of NTFP on degraded watersheds of the mountains of Nepal.