Tourism Info Nepal

Climate Change Impact in Mustang’s Tetang Village: A Growing Crisis

Climate Change Impact in Mustang’s Tetang Village: A Growing Crisis

The effects of climate change are increasingly evident in the rural areas of Mustang, particularly in Tetang, Ward 3 of Baragung Muktichhetra. As global carbon emissions rise, the village has seen significant environmental shifts, which have disrupted local agriculture and forced many residents to leave their homes.

A decade ago, the village of Tetang had 46 households. However, due to the worsening impacts of climate change, the number of households has now dwindled to just 30, with the remaining families facing the threat of further displacement. The villagers, predominantly from the Gurung community, have traditionally relied on farming for their livelihoods. However, the ongoing climate crisis has made farming increasingly difficult.

The primary cause of this disruption is the drying up of water sources that once provided irrigation for the village’s agricultural land. Thirty years ago, water from a nearby lake source was enough to irrigate all the fertile land in Tetang. However, over time, the water supply from the lake has diminished, leaving the villagers without sufficient water for farming. Dhawa Gurung, a ward member from Baragung-3, shared his concern: “The village once had over 46 households, but now only 30 remain, and this number is steadily decreasing. If this continues, the entire village might be displaced.”

In the past, every farming family had access to irrigation, but now the lack of water has left fields barren. Despite these challenges, locals like Tharchen Gurung have implemented alternative solutions. “We have started collecting water from the spring through ponds to irrigate our fields,” he explained. These ponds collect water overnight, which is then used to irrigate crops during the day. However, even with these efforts, it is becoming increasingly difficult to water all the fields.

Previously, the village had a system in place where water from the Narsingh river, about 3 kilometers away, was diverted through iron pipes to irrigate the fields. This was funded by the former district development committee. Unfortunately, the flooding of the Narsingh river several years ago destroyed the irrigation system, exacerbating the water shortage.

Tetang, situated along the Jomsom-Korala highway, has traditionally been home to ancient stone and mud houses. After the road was constructed, two households built single-story concrete homes. Many villagers, unable to sustain themselves through agriculture and livestock alone, have migrated to nearby towns such as Chhusang, Kagbeni, and Jomsom to seek alternative livelihoods, including running hotels, restaurants, and engaging in wage labor.

In addition to these challenges, infrastructure improvements are underway. Following the establishment of a rough road from Chhusang to Tetang, the Gandaki Province government has also begun upgrading the road that connects Tetang to Muktinath. However, the development of this road poses a threat to the local tourism industry. Foreign tourists, who typically use the trekking paths through Tetang to reach Muktinath, may no longer rely on these routes once the road is completed, which could lead to a decline in tourist visits.

The situation in Tetang is a stark reminder of the growing climate crisis and its profound impact on rural communities. The villagers, who have long relied on agriculture, face an uncertain future as their land becomes increasingly uninhabitable due to the changing climate. Without intervention, Tetang and similar villages in Mustang may face widespread displacement in the coming years.

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