Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Humla
CHINA (TIBET)
Far West
Mid-West
West
NEPAL
Kathmandu
Central
East
INDIA
Figure 11.1
District of Humla (Map of the Foundation Nepal,
http://www.
Humla is characterized by its physical remoteness as there is no road access
to the district. The headquarters, Simkot, which lies at about 3000 metres above
sea level (masl), is linked with two towns further south by a very unreliable
small plane system, and is otherwise about one week on foot from the nearest
road to the south. Humla is politically marginalized as well: the presence of the
state outside Simkot is very limited, a situation further aggravated by the decade
of civil war that ended with the overthrow of the monarchy in 2006.
Humla is divided into two ecological regions: Upper Humla in the north,
bordering Tibet; and Lower Humla in the south, characterized by villages at
lower elevations with a warmer climate and land better suited for agriculture
than in Upper Humla. Data collection focused on three villages belonging to
these two ecological regions and with different social structures: Khaagaalgaon
and Syaandaa in Upper Humla and Khankhe in Lower Humla (
Figure 11.2
). All
to water through small rivers and nearby forests. Agriculture is mainly rain-fed,
with small land holdings. While subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry and
trade are the dominant livelihood strategies, the three villages differ in terms
of livelihood strategies, food security, ethnicity, castes and social structure, as
outlined in
Table 11.1
.
The first village, Khaagaalgaon, is situated at 2808 masl, about four days'
walk from the Tibetan border and six to seven hours' walk from Simkot. The
village has around 75 households (Roy 2010) and is inhabited by the Lama
ethnic group, a Buddhist, Tibetan-speaking people. The Hindu caste system
is not practised. In addition to agriculture and livestock, Khaagaalgaon villagers
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