Residents return to Upper Mustang as winter chill fades

By Hari Krishna Sharma,Muktinath (Mustang), Mar. 19: The highlands of Upper Mustang have once again become bustling as residents, who had locked their homes to escape the biting winter cold, begin their journey back to the mountains.

With the seasonal chill declining, development projects and community programmes in the Lo-Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkund rural municipalities have resumed.

Most locals from these areas migrated to lower altitudes during November and December. Following a return to the villages for the House of Representatives elections on March 5, residents are now staying on to restart stalled works. 

As Upper Mustang supports only one crop cycle per year, returning villagers are also beginning work in their fields.

Umesh Paudel, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Lo-Manthang, said he saw a significant increase in local participation in community events. "Programmes that were halted for three months due to the winter migration are now restarting as people return," he said.

During the current fiscal year (2025/26), local, provincial and federal authorities had prioritised only essential tasks while residents were away. 

Local governments are now preparing to complete the remaining construction and development work over the final four months of the financial year. 

According to Inspector Santosh Bashyal of the Mustang District Police, the improving weather has also led to an increase in tourist movements.

While many have already returned, those who travelled as far as India for seasonal trade typically return in April for the major Tiji festival. 

Raju Lalchan, President of the Mustang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted that the region is entering one of its two peak tourist seasons (February-April and September-November), with both domestic and international visitors heading toward the Korala border point.

Education activities is also returning to the highlands. “Mobile schools,” which were relocated to warmer climates to protect children from the cold and seasonal illnesses, are moving back this month. 

The District Education and Coordination Unit confirmed that students are returning to prepare for their Secondary Education  Examination (SEE).