Some of Bista´s neighbors went to India. All of them left their home in search of warmer climes as the mercury in Upper Mustang started dipping down to below freezing point. [break]
According to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the locals of the area have been leaving their homes for lowlands to evade winter. Santosh Sherchan, chief of ACAP, informed that the temperature of Upper Mustang has come down to minus 6 degrees Celsius.
“People of Upper Mustang leave their homes for lowlands as the temperature starts falling below freezing point. Well-off families go to the cities in Tarai to evade the biting cold of winter,” said Sherchan.
Former VDC chairman of Chhoser VDC Shankhalal Gurung informed that the VDC with a population of 1,185 people is wears a deserted look. “People from around 200 households have left for the Tarai. Only some old people are left behind to take care of the houses,” said Shankhalal over telephone. “The cold here is really hard to endure,” he added.
Chhonhum, Lomanthang, Surkhang, Charang, Chusang, and Ghami VDC of the district also wear a deserted look. People of these villages leave their houses for warmer places during winter every year.
Dikten Bista, who arrived in Baglung recently, said that he would return home only in summer.
“During the winter we sell herbal products in the cities and return home only after the end of winter season,” said Bista.
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