Tokpegola, Ghunsa locals migrate to escape cold

By Chandra Pandak,Taplejung, Dec.20: Residents of Tokpegola in Papung and Ghunsa in Lelep, mountainous settlements in Taplejung, have started leaving their villages to escape the cold as winter sets in.

Tokpegola of Mikkwakhola Rural Municipality–5, Papung, lies at an altitude of 4,100 metres, while Ghunsa of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality–6 is situated at 3,475 metres above sea level.

Tokpegola is the highest mountain settlement in the district, second only to Yangma (4,200 metres) of Olangchunggola in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality–7. Locals say that after the last week of November, residents of Tokpegola and Ghunsa begin leaving their villages to avoid the harsh cold.

Nupu Sherpa, a resident of Papung, said that approximately one and a half dozen families living in Tokpegola have already left the village. According to Sherpa, who is also the president of the Yak Wool Entrepreneurs Association, Taplejung, the families have moved to Papung to escape the cold.

Similarly, local resident Pema Sherpa said that dozens of families from Ghunsa have already left the village. Around three dozen families reside in Ghunsa, and as temperatures continue to drop, more residents are leaving to avoid the severe cold. He added that his family left Ghunsa about a month ago.

Sherpa said he had left the village earlier as he needed to travel to India to meet relatives. He explained that he went to India from Ghunsa when the cold intensified and, after visiting relatives, has now come to Kathmandu, where he plans to stay throughout the winter season.

Families leaving Ghunsa to escape the cold generally move to Kathmandu and the district headquarters, Phungling. Every year during the winter season, most residents of Tokpegola, Ghunsa, Phale and Yangma temporarily migrate to warmer places. Those who leave usually stay in rented rooms or with relatives.

After the winter ends, residents begin returning to their villages in February or March.