Mugu mountains turn dark in lack of snowfall

By Hari Krishna Aidi, Mugu, Feb. 21: Changkheli Himal, which used to shine white in past winters, has turned as dark as a black stone this year. Even though it is already mid-February, there is no sign of snowfall.

In the Himalayan district of Mugu, the beauty of the mountains is fading away in the lack of snow this year. In previous years, snow used to start falling in Mugu from the last week of November to the first week of January. 

Local Gom Bahadur Budha said that Changkheli Himal, once covered with snow, is now turning into a black mountain. He said, “During this time in previous years, the fields and hilly areas of the Himalayan districts were covered with snow. 

Farmers used to get busy ploughing their fields as the snowfall provided irrigation to their land. But now, as the fields are dry, it is difficult for the farmers in the area to grow crops."

Hansa Lal Baduwal, a resident of Chayannath Rara Municipality-14, said that due to the lack of snow in the mountains, the beauty of Changkheli Himal and Rara Lake is disappearing. 

He said, “It stopped snowing like before. Chankheli Himal was covered with snow till April and June, and it was difficult to walk. Today, the mountains without snow look desolate.”

Narrating the experience of walking around Gamgadhi Bazaar, the district headquarters, when it snowed, he said that there was no problem in walking this year because there was no snow. “If there is no snow in the season, the natural beauty of the mountains will be lost,” he said.