Mustang locals move to warmer areas as winter sets in
Dilip Poudel
Like many other residents of Chhoser VDC in Mustang district, Chechup Gurung had recently visited his village to cast vote in the Constituent Assembly elections held on November 19.
But soon after casting his vote, he returned to Pokhara, as the weather was extremely cold there. Locals, including others from Chhonhup, Lo Manthang, Surkhang, Charang, Chhusang and Dami VDCs, also returned to warmer places after the polls.
According to former chief of Chhoser VDC, Shanka Lal Gurung, although 440 voters were registered on the voter list, only 231 cast their votes.
Every year thousands of locals from Mustang district move downhill to warmer places after the temperature dips to below freezing point. Only the disabled and elderly remain in the village as winter sets in while the young ones migrate to warmer climes for work.
“It becomes impossible for us to stay in the village when the temperature dips to minus 5 degrees,” said Gurung. “Though around 6,000 people reside in the Upper Mustang area, the villages are completely deserted during the winter,” added Gurung.
Locals move to Pokhara, Kathmandu, Naranyansthan, Gorkha, Baglung, Parbat and Myagdi district during the winter.
Published on: 28 November 2013 | Republica
GET IN TOUCH