When you look at the Himalayan region of Nepal, you might think that no people reside there. However, let us tell you that people do live in the Himalayan parts as well. Nevertheless, there are significant differences between the lifestyle of people living in the Terai and Hilly regions and those in the Himalayan area. This is because of the extreme temperatures, limited vegetation, and many other factors that complicate living in the Himalayas.
Is Life Possible?
Living in the Himalayan region is a challenging task to be done. Imagine eating limited foods and living in the most underdeveloped region of the country. That is exactly how people live every day in the Himalayan region. However life is certainly possible in this region, but the lifestyle is different, and surviving is hard compared to the Hilly and Terai regions.
People have been residing in the Himalayas of Nepal for a very long period. As per some sources and research, it is concluded that people started living in the Himalayas in 1500 BC. Out of a total of 30.3 million population in Nepal, a study shows that 45% of the people live in the Himalayan region. This is statistical proof that life is possible in the Himalayas.
People in the Himalayas: Ethnicity and Lifestyle
What type of people are residing in the Himalayas? What religions do they follow? What foods do they eat? So many similar questions can roam around in anyone’s mind when they think about the people living in the Himalayan region, and this section of the blog will answer all these questions.
First, let’s talk about the major ethnicity of people in the Himalayas. Suppose you ever visit the Himalayan region of Nepal. In that case, you will enter the world of Sherpas, Gurungs, and Tamangs, along with the diffusely populated Chhetris, Brahmins, and other racial groups.
The Himalayan region having extremely cold temperatures, difficult terrain, less fertile land, and several other difficulties, makes the lifestyle of the people significantly different and challenging from the Hilly and Terai lifestyle. You will see that the people in the Himalayan regions do not have as many facilities, such as network connections, transportation facilities, infrastructural development, and proper education. These factors also lead to a digital divide in the Himalayan region, resulting in people still living a traditional lifestyle with limited facilities.
Employment Opportunities: Can people get employed in the Himalayas?
The Himalayan region is subjected to limited resources, which also limits the economic condition. However, there are still opportunities for people in this region to engage in different activities, such as animal husbandry, running hotels/lodges, tourist/trekking guides, trade, and many more.
People in the Himalayan region are mostly engaged in animal husbandry and trading. The Himalayan region is full of yaks and sheep. People of this region keep domestic animals and trade several dairy and woolen products worldwide. One of the most famous dairy products in the Himalayan region is Chhurpi, a traditional cheese generally made of Yak milk. This is unlike ordinary cheese, as this cheese is very hard to bite. Besides, the wool produced from sheep fur is also traded worldwide to make high-quality woolen clothes.
Lately, most people in the Himalayan region have started working as trekking/tourist guides. They work for some registered trekking or hiking agencies. Because of all these opportunities, the rate of youths of the Himalayan region going abroad for employment opportunities is decreasing significantly. Lastly, hotels, lodges, and teahouses are some of the growing business ideas in the Himalayan region because of increasing tourist retention.
Festivals and Celebrations of the Himalayas
Nepal is a land of festivals and celebrations, as many ethnicities, religions, and cultures live together within the territory of 1,47,181 sq. km. Therefore, every corner and area of the country is full of several festivals and celebrations, and the same goes for the Himalayan region. As the Himalayan region consists of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, they have unique festivals and cultural aspects.
The Himalayan region of Nepal consists of people from Tibetan and Nepali backgrounds, which means that the festivals celebrated in the Himalayan region also come from both backgrounds. So what are some famous festivals celebrated in the Himalayan region of Nepal? Some of the major festivals of the Himalayan region are Dashain, Tihar, Mani Rimdu festival, Tiji, Lhosar, Yartung, Dumji, and many more.
See also:
- How Many Countries Have the Himalayas?
- Which Country Owns the Himalayas?
- What Are the Himalayas Famous For?
Final Words
In conclusion, we can say that the Himalayan region is home to 45% of the total population of Nepal, who have been living there with limited resources and extreme temperatures. The base, or until the altitude of 3000 meters, is more accessible and developed, but life is very complicated and extreme at an altitude of 5000 meters.
Most people in the Himalayan region live an under-developed and unurbanized lifestyle, but slowly and gradually, the people are being employed. They started trading and animal husbandry, which developed the Himalayan region and enhanced its lifestyle in the late scenarios.
FAQs
Is it possible to survive in the Himalayas?
Yes, life is possible in the Himalayan region despite the extreme temperatures. People have been living in the Himalayan region of Nepal since 1500 B.C.
Upto what altitude can we find human habitation in the Himalayas?
We can find human habitation until 5000 meters in the Himalayas. Still, the vegetation at this altitude is limited, and the lifestyle is also complicated because of extremely cold temperatures and uneven geographical distribution.
Are there proper facilities available in this region?
Because of the uneven topology, extreme temperature, and several other reasons, the Himalayan region of Nepal could be more developed. At higher altitudes, people can be seen living a primitive lifestyle.
What are the major animals and vegetations found in the Himalayan region?
Several floras and faunas are available in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Many of these animals and plants are so unique that they are unavailable in other parts of the country. Some of the wildlife of this region are snow leopards, wild boar, musk deer, and serow, and some plants available here are rhododendron, apple, etc.
