Mustang. The mountainous district of Mustang, which has not received adequate snowfall for three consecutive years due to climate change, has received snowfall in October this year. It has been snowing continuously since this morning. The snowfall usually falls in the month of November, which usually falls in the month of November.

The locals of Mustang had not seen heavy snowfall in the past few years. This had a negative impact on agriculture, tourism and biodiversity. This year, snowfall has occurred at an altitude above three thousand meters above sea level. Snowfall is taking place in settlements above Ghami and High Peaks of Muktinath and Upper Mustang.

The snowfall has continued in and around the famous Muktinath Temple has continued. Settlements in the lower belt from Chusang of Waragung Mukti Chhetra-3 have been receiving incessant rainfall while snowfall has occurred in the high hills above the settlement. The Thorang Pass trekking route via Manang, Jomsom, Thini to Namukhalek to Mesokondo Pass trekking route and Dhaulagiri icefall Dhampus peak trekking route have been obstructed due to heavy snowfall.

Snowfall has also made it difficult for vehicles to travel along the Korala road in Upper Mustang. The local administration has already issued a public notice urging all not to travel on trekking routes in high altitude areas. Visitors visiting Muktinath have been facing problems due to heavy snowfall in the Muktinath area. Snowfall has caused inconvenience to the devotees visiting Muktinath.

It is said the devotees reaching Muktinath are not in a position to take bath and take bath in the 108 taps due to snowfall and snowfall in the bathing pond. Ward chairperson of Waragung Mukti Chhetra-1, Prabesh Gurung, said that the vehicles returning after visiting Muktinath are not in a position to come down from Khiga due to snowfall on the road.

The local police administration has also requested people not to travel on the road from Kagbeni to Muktinath. Although daily life of locals and tourists has been affected due to snowfall so far, no human or physical loss has been reported due to snowfall, according to the administration.

Ward chair Gurung said although snowfall in the mountainous region is natural in favourable time, it was surprising to see snowfall in October this year. Though the snowfall benefits agriculture, tourism and animal husbandry, the heavy snowfall has caused partial damage to the apple and other plants, said ward chair Gurung.

The post-harvest of apples in Mustang has reached the final stage. As soon as the apple harvest is over, the apple trees fall off the leaves and become desolate. “It would have been better if this kind of snowfall occurred during the fall of apple leaves,” said ward chair Gurung, adding, “Although the snowfall has partially affected the snow, the snowfall has benefited farmers, tourism entrepreneurs and biodiversity.” ’

Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, Dr Lalmani Aryal, said that the grazing area at High Peak will be very good for livestock rearing. He expressed the hope that this year’s snowfall would make grazing areas easier for the cattle herders as grass has stopped growing in the high-altitude grazing area due to lack of snowfall in favourable time due to climate change.

The conflict between humans and snow leopards increased as wildlife from high lakes came closer to their settlements in search of food when there was no snowfall in favourable weather. Dr Aryal said that it would be good for livestock and wildlife if there was sufficient grass in the grazing area.

According to Rajesh Gurung, chief of Agriculture Knowledge Centre, this year’s snowfall will benefit apple and other cereal crops in the area. Centre chief Gurung said that the snow that came on the eve of managing apple orchards next month after completing apple harvest has proved to be a boon for farmers.

According to him, snowfall is considered a good sign for agricultural products as snowfall softens the soil of the land where crops are produced by the farmers and it recharges the soil to the inner layer of the soil.

It is said that the snowfall on the eve of winter will irrigate the production of apple, millet, buckwheat, barley and maize. According to Gurung, the snow will also increase the production capacity as it will reduce the infection of diseases and insects in the local crops.

Suraj Gurung, operator of Hotel Grand Sambala based in Muktinath, said that the national skiing competition could be held in Muktinath area if it snows two or three times more this year. According to Gurung, the national skiing competition could not be held due to lack of snowfall in Mustang for the past three years.

Nepal Ski Association has already organized the national ski competition in Muktinath area in three consecutive editions three years ago. “It has not snowed well for the past three years, but this year it started snowing in October,” said Gurung, adding, “If the snowfall continues at such a pace, we might be able to organize a skiing competition. ’

Chairperson of Janapriya Youth Club, Kaisang Thokya Thakuri, said that the snowfall in the area would help promote tourism. Thakuri said that tourists can come to Mustang to enjoy snow and enjoy with the snow, which would help in tourism promotion. “It may take time to settle on the ground due to the rapid snowfall and similarly if it snows for two to three days, the settlements and hills here will become even whiter,” Gurung said, adding, “There is a need for continuous snowfall.”