Muktinath, 30 Jan: Angyal Gurung, a Chyangra (mountain goat) herder from Chhoser in Lomanthang Rural Municipality–1 of Upper Mustang, has moved his livestock to high-altitude sheds following recent snowfall. The sheds are located at an elevation of about 4,700 meters above sea level.
After snowfall in mid-Magh (late January–early February), it became extremely challenging to protect more than 700 Chyangra. Although herders have faced difficulties safeguarding Chyangra, yaks, and Chauri kept in pasture-area sheds due to heavy snowfall—the first significant snowfall in Upper Mustang in the past five years—farmers are happy, believing that snowfall will help grass grow better.
Farmers actively engaged in agriculture and livestock farming in Mustang, who had been disappointed due to insufficient snowfall caused by climate change and the resulting lack of pasture grass, are now encouraged. Snowfall also helps maintain the temperature required for yaks and Chauri in grazing areas. In recent years, due to irregular snowfall, grazing grounds and habitats for yaks and Chauri had shifted further up into higher Himalayan regions.
In areas of Upper Mustang that received up to three feet of snow, temperatures had remained below freezing for the past five years, causing rivers, water taps, and irrigation canals to freeze, even though there was no snowfall. Upper Mustang follows a single-crop system. Although crops are not cultivated regularly during winter, moisture retained in the fields helps improve the production of monsoon crops and apple farming, according to Dr. Lalmani Aryal, Chief of the Agriculture and Livestock Development Office, Mustang.
“This year’s snowfall will prove to be a boon for agriculture and livestock farming. Thick layers of snow are beneficial for the growth of new grass in pasturelands,” Dr. Aryal said. He added that irregular rainfall and snowfall in recent years had negatively affected agriculture and livestock, while snowfall supports the production of major crops such as apples, other sour fruit varieties, potatoes, and other agricultural products.
According to Dr. Aryal, no reports of damage to agriculture or livestock have been received following Wednesday’s snowfall in Mustang. Cold temperatures are essential for apple pollination, and snowfall also helps reduce the incidence of various diseases seen in apple farming, said Chhewang Nayan Gurung, a farmer from Waragung Muktikshetra–1, Khinga village.
When snowfall during Poush–Magh (December–February) remains on the ground for a long time, it also destroys crop pests, leading to increased production. The Agriculture and Livestock Development Office, Mustang, stated that thick snow and rainfall will help boost agricultural and fruit production next year, especially in areas where yields had declined due to a lack of adequate irrigation.
This season, Thasang, Gharpajhong, and Baragung Muktikshetra, as well as Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda and Lomanthang rural municipalities, have experienced snowfall twice. Previously, irregular snowfall had led to a decline in agricultural production.
