HUMLA: Local residents are increasingly moving to China’s Taklakot with the rise in unemployment problem in the district.

There is an increasing trend of young people – both men and women moving to the northern neighbouring country in search of work.

Youths here have been heading to Taklakot initially for six months with the availability of opportunities to work there. Instead of remaining unemployed in their villages, they take temporary border pass issued by the district administration to go to China and bring money back to home.

In recent years, the unemployed youths are thronging to Taklakot for works from household chores to agriculture labour rather than collecting herbs in the forest.

Taklakot, which had been a hub for employment opportunities merely for young men in the past years, now also has attracted young women for household works.

According to Rajendra Kumar Chand, the Assistant Chief District Officer and Information Officer, the number of young men and women taking border passes this year has significantly increased compared to previous years.

He shared that around 11,000 citizens among a total population of 55,000 in Humla have already obtained border passes.Number of young people receiving border passes these days is remarkable, he informed, adding daily five to seven people on an average are turning up the district administration for border pass.

Number of people seeking new border pass and renewals has increased since the Hilsa border connecting Nepal with Tibet, China’s autonomous region, has remained open since last May 11.

According to Assistant CDO Chand, number of new border pass issued since mid-April this as of now is 8,913 while the renewals are 2,066 in number.

The Humla district administration has been issuing temporary border pass for six months for the district people. Those who take a temporary border pass can stay for six months, the DAO informed, adding they need to apply for renewals for prolonged stay.

The Hilsa border is opened for only six months a year due to snowfall. It is closed from mid-November with the fall in temperature and reopened from mid-May.