Humla - the second-largest district of Nepal - is brimming with incredible natural beauty and ecological abundance, along with rich cultural diversity. It is among the rarest places that have preserved ancient Himalayan traditions, culture, and practices. It lies in the far north-west part of Karnali Province adjoining the Purang county of Ngari prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), China on north. Simikot is Humla's district headquarter, and the word Simikot comprises two words; Sim and Kot, where Sim means wetland, and Kot means a fort.
People living in the north and south part of Humla maintain many differences in culture and practices. The lower southern parts of Humla are primarily inhabited by Khas, Dalit, Thakuri, and Chhetri (Thar). They are identified as the followers of Shaman-based Hinduism, and they also follow the Hindu caste system. These people are called Topitale by people living in the upper part of Humla. The higher northern reaches of Humla are home to several Tibetan Shaman-based Buddhist and Tibetan-speaking communities. These include Bhot/Bhote and Byansi, which are also called Thapaliya in the Khasa language. The Bhote communities of Humla are categorized under the following five categories:
Both Topitale and Thapaliya communities share a complex relationship, hierarchy, reciprocity, co-existence, and contestations. However, they share an affinity for the sanctity of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar— even if this sanctity manifests in different ways.
There are both tangible and intangible cultural ties between the people of northern Humla and TAR, China. Many monasteries in Tibet were demolished during the Cultural Revolution, and many monks took refuge in the south and established replica-monasteries in different parts of Nepal and India. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Humla have some association with the monasteries in Tibet, especially in Khojarnath, Taklakot, Rakshas Tal, and Gyangdrak. The culture and traditional practices of the ancient Khas kingdom, Zhang Zhung kingdom, and Tibetan culture are still preserved in the original form in Humla. The Cultural Revolution of China massively affected the traditional Tibetan culture in Tibet. Besides, modernization has further fueled the deterioration of conventional practices, but such ancient traditions are still preserved in Humla. Songs that are sung during festivals in Tibet are still practiced in their original form in Humla.
Similarly, the traditional furniture and Chinese brocade are still found in their original form in Humla. The pre-Buddhist Bon religion and Nyingma(pa) school of Tibetan Buddhism are still wholly practiced in Humla. Similarly, the polyandry marriage system is still in existence in the Bhote Lama ethnic community of Humla. Thus, Humla can be seen as a living cultural museum, found neither in the Tibetan plateau nor in the Indian plain.
Traditionally, the Khasa Hindu Humli communities were involved in subsistence agriculture, localized pastoralism, and the trade of Tibetan merchandise (such as salt, borax, pashmina, and wool) with mid-hill communities - Accham, Doti, Bajhang, and Bajura. The Buddhist Humli communities were more involved in the trade with Tibetans at various seasonal trade marts located both in Humla and in western TAR, China. The Buddhist Humli communities also carry-on migratory pastoralism, and still, few families continue the practice, but at an insignificant level. There is a unique housing pattern in rural Humla. The houses are built of muds, and it is flat-roofed, where the roof of one house becomes the front yard of the other house. The traditional attire of the Humli people varies from Northern to southern parts. Northern Humlis wear similar clothes as Tibetans, whereas the southern residents have some similarities with Hindus.
Humla is the only isolated district that is not yet connected to the national road network of Nepal, although it is already connected to Tibet via both the Limi-Lapcha and Hilsa border by road. The Nepal Army is constructing Karnali Corridor to the south of Simikot which is planned to connect with Humla. Humla has a domestic airport in Simikot, and it is the only easy and direct means to reach Humla. Simikot airport is located at 2,818 meters above sea level, and the length of the runway is 549 meters. It is a short take-off and landing (STOL) airfield; thus, the airport can handle only small aircraft and helicopters. The other option to reach Simikot, Humla, is to walk for three-five days from the adjoining districts. The prices of essential commodities are high as all goods are either first airlifted to Simikot or need to come from Tibet's border town, carried by humans or mules to reach the household. In rural parts of Humla, sheep, goats, and mules are used as the most common transportation mode, bringing daily consumables from the road-based temporary nearby market or from the district headquarter to the rural parts of Humla.
Humla is among the best gateways to Mount Kailash from Nepal, but it is not commercially famous due to a lack of road infrastructure. Since time immemorial, both Hindu and Buddhist religions have been going on a pilgrimage tour to the Kailash region, especially to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. The Kodari (Zhangmu in Chinese) border between Nepal and China was severely damaged by the earthquakes of April 25, 2015, and May 12, 2015. It did significant damage to the physical infrastructure and caused the loss of many human lives. As a result, the border was closed entirely. The border was not only the leading trade and transit border between Nepal and China, but it was also the most widely used border by the pilgrims to go to Mount Kailash. Thus, not only the import and export of goods got stopped at this border, but also the route to Mount Kailash via Kodari was shut down. Only after this, the Hilsa route via Simikot, Humla, was brought back to meaningful use for the Mount Kailash pilgrimage, and it is quite a popular route now. Travel agencies in Kathmandu estimate that more than 10,000 Indian pilgrims entered Purang County of Tibet, China, via Humla in 2016.
Humla is a hidden treasure of the Himalayas with immense and unexplored natural and cultural diversities. The natural beauty includes towering green cliffs, cascading waterfalls, swift rivers, and mesmerizing landscapes. Humla is extensively rich in various natural resources, and among them, forest products, including herbs and water resources, are the major. There are different types of trees; coniferous, hardwood, mixed trees, and shrublands, due to climatic variations. There are also many kinds of valuable herbs, although their medicinal values are yet to be explored. The rivers and rivulets in Humla and the Karnali region have enormous potential for hydropower development and water-induced industry, and such resources have been almost not utilized yet. Humla has enormous potential to be promoted as a tourist destination for several purposes, including trekking, cultural tours, glacier expedition, and academic research on anthropology, geology, and other disciplines. Humla was opened to tourists in the 1990s by the government of Nepal. However, even after two decades, Humla is significantly less visible on Nepal's tourism map. Humla still remains under a restricted area where the free-flow of tourists is not allowed. Tourists are required to get a specific permit to visit. Thus, although many low-budget tourists would like to see Humla, they can't afford it due to the requirement of permits and expensive flight tickets.
Despite being blessed with immense natural and cultural diversity, Humla is one of Nepal's poorest and least developed districts. Life in the Himalayan region is very hard for people seeking material wellbeing. These places remained untouched by the modern world for many years due to a lack of necessary infrastructures like transportation and communication, and still, the situation has not significantly improved.
SIMIKOT, Nov 14: Scores of passengers including students, leaving Humla district for their destinations, have been stranded as they have been struggling to book air tickets. As a result, students who are scheduled to return to their destinations for their studies after completing their festival vacations have been hit hard the most.
In the remote northwestern tip of Nepal is Humla, the last district that isn’t yet linked to the road network. At 2,900m elevation, Simkot is the highest placed district capital and has a busy airport that services Indian pilgrims going to Kailash Mansarovar across the border in Tibet.
According to CDO Madhav Prasad Dhungana, the Simikot airport has come into operation today as it was closed due to the snow piled up in the runway following heavy snowfall.
SIMIKOT, April 25: Simikot airport, the major entry point to the district and other three road check points are being strictly monitored in the wake of increased Corona Virus infections.
Precaution is being taken in the district after the Corona Virus pandemic has increased in Nepalgunj and Surkhet, the two major locations for flying into the district. A meeting of the District COVID management committee decided to take strict measures to protect the residents from the Corona Virus, said Chief District Officer Ganesh Acharya.
As a result, a health team led by a doctor has been mobilized at the Simikot airport to screen the incoming passengers. Likewise, health desk will be established in the inter-provincial links including at Kawadi of Tanjakot rural municipality, Balukuna of Sarkegaad rural municipality, Bhihi of Adanchuli rural municipality and Rimi of Changkheli rural municipality.
The health desks have been asked to maintain profile of all the people coming into the district. Those arriving to the district will be asked to remain in contact with the health workers for the first 10 days, CDO Acharya said.
Likewise, quarantine and isolation centres will be immediately established at the district level and in all municipalities. A three-bed isolation ward has been established at the district hospital for treatment of the Corona Virus infected.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the primary duty of the government is to protect the life of citizens.
Addressing the nation on the occasion of the Nepali New Year 2078 BS from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) in Singha Durbar this morning, the Prime Minister wished happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepalis at home and abroad, and urged them to remain safe from the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The government's first dutu is to protect the life of the citizens and people's life is prominent for the government. The schools can operate if lives are saved. Life comes first than the economy; the industries and factories can be run if human life is saved, but If life cannot be saved, then nothing operates," he said.
PM Oli stated that the government was carrying out works keeping safety of life in primary importance and even if the pandemic has comparatively impacted, it has caused less damage. He added that the agriculture has been good and success has been achieved in reducing the trade deficit.
"Those who were on the path of violence have been brought to the peaceful way, there is no group carrying out violence at present. Now, the people have the sovereignty, there are only people and their mandate, which is the determining factor of politics. We have achieved big successes in this context," he said.
The PM stated that many conference halls were constructed in 2077 BS. In this connection, he mentioned the construction of a meditation centre in Lumbini with a capacity of accommodating 5,000 people and the construction of a conference centre with a capacity of 3,000 in Godawari and assembly halls were being built in many other places.
Works were forwarded for the construction of the Parliament Building last year alone in view of the lack of this facility for the people's representatives to sit down and hold discussions even in this age of people's representatives.
Hope has risen among people
Prime Minister Oli reiterated that the government has worked in a way to raise hope among the people in the year 2077 BS.
"We have carried out works instilling hope among the people, and we will continue to do this work to instill hope and confidence in future as well," he said, adding that every day five and half kilometres road is being constructed, houses are being built at the rate of at least 12 per day and the number of people getting various eight types of social security benefits is more than 3.06 million," the PM added.
He said the social security allowance that was started from Rs 100 per month has reached Rs 100 per day now and this would be increased in the next budget. The contribution-based social security programme was started since November 26, 2019.
Bridges are being constructed daily and they are being constructed from the east to the west of the country. The transit points have been opened and the Mid-hills highway is being constructed expeditious manner.
According to him, the construction of the Madan Bhandari highway is moving ahead in a speedy manner, works on expansion of the East-West highway were on and the Hulaki highway remains to be built at few places only.
Exceptional works in reconstruction
PM Oli mentioned that the Reconstruction Authority that was formed after the Gorkha Earthquake in 2015 has carried out the post-earthquake reconstruction works in a speedy manner. "The reconstructed Ranipokhari has been already inaugurated and the reconstruction of the Dharahara is almost completed and on the 24th of this month people would be able to see around the Kathmandu Valley from the top of this tower climbing with the help of elevator," he added.
Airports would be upgraded, night flights would be operated to some airports and the Tribhuvan International Airport has been refurbished and repaired in order to give a feeling of newness once passengers land in the airport.
Stating that many schools have been rebuilt despite unfavourable conditions and the Durbar High School has been reconstructed and it has been inaugurated, he said preparations are being made to inaugurate on April 19 a reconstructed higher secondary school in Patandhoka constructed with Japanese assistance.
Melamchi water supply is no more daydream
Prime Minister Oli stated that supplying the water from the Melamchi Water Supply Project to homes in Kathmandu is not merely a daydream. "Some people mocked at saying supplying water from Melamchi in Kathmandu is a high talk. It was not a chimera and water from Melamchi is running in taps in Kathmandu now," he added.
As he said, the campaign of 'Digital Nepal' has been initiated to raise the country up in terms of development and arrangements have been made to directly monitor various projects from Singha Durbar.
No shutdown as far as possible
PM Oli also made it clear on the occasion that the government was not for imposing lockdown to contain spread of coronavirus. Stating only rumours that the government was issuing threat of imposing shutdown have come out (in the media), he said the government was not for implementing the shutdown as far as possible.
According to him, several countries were compelled to impose shutdown as Covid-19 pandemic spread at a rapid rate and to large populations and the Government of Nepal is serious regarding the safety of the people.
In 2019 the world had to grapple with Covid-19 which it had never seen before and the country was affected throughout the year including in several sectors as the entire social life, economy, education etc.
"Covid-19 had been somewhat brought under control since November and it has started to spread again from April. The government is carrying out works so that the pain that was suffered in 2077 BS does not recur same form, spread and cause loss of life and property," the PM said and urged one and all to obey the health protocols determined by the government, the Ministry of Health and Population to remain safe from Covid-19.
Though the year 2077 BS was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, it did not mean that we achieved nothing, the Prime Minister argued, claiming that the year remained a year of some signification achievements such as Melamchi water arrived in Kathmandu, post-quake reconstruction works were carried out, online education was launched and efforts were made to normalize the public life.
Though an agreement on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) had reached when the Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Center) were in the government, it was drawn into controversy when the government tabled it at the parliament for further procedures, violating the constitutional rights of the government, he said.
The Prime Minister further stressed the need of forging national unity and using our strengthen for the development of nation.
Stating that the government had planned to launch new schemes in the new year, he said 'Mero Kitta Karyakram' would be launched from today. Under the programme, farmers could have access to a digital copy of the land registration certificate from home. ''We are entering the New Year with new enthusiasm, new confidence and new hope,'' the Prime Minister said.
The Prime minister promised to connect Simikot of Humla with road network and expedite the implementation of construction projects targeting universities, hospitals and schools. Stating that now the country ensured a peaceful amtoshphere for investment, he
said works were on the progress to formulate required laws.
PM urges not to be persuaded by rumours
Prime Minister Oli has urged one and all to get engaged in nation-building campaign with confidence and not to be influenced by rumours. Speaking of the need of international responsibility, peace and development with social justice, he sought the contribution from all quarters to build a peaceful atmosphere.
He further highlighted the need of creating a safer world for all, vowing to ensure atmohsphere conducive for finding job opportunities for youths within the country.
As he said, 1.8 million people at home had been vaccinated against the Covid-19 and the preparations were underway to provide vaccine to the remaining population. Seeking contribution from all quarters to stay safe from the disease, the Prime Minister wished that may the year bring success and progress among the people.
