MUSTANG: Following last week’s heavy snowfall and extreme cold, yak and chauri (yak-cow hybrids) herders in the highlands of Mustang have begun relocating their animals to lower valleys.

The grazing fields in the upper pastures have been completely covered with snow, and the water sources have frozen, forcing herders to move their livestock to warmer regions to protect them from the severe winter conditions.

Each year, yak and chauri herders in Mustang follow this seasonal migration pattern — moving their herds down to lower valleys during the cold months and returning them to high-altitude grazing areas in summer when the snow melts.

Traditionally, herders from the five rural municipalities of Mustang transfer their animals from the upper highlands to the valleys from November to May.

Once the weather warms, the herds are moved back to high pastures from April to October, according to Sojan Hirachan, secretary of the Himalayan Chauri Herders and Conservation Committee.

During winter, snow covers the grasslands in the highlands, making it difficult to find grazing land and access water for the animals.

Herders also face harsh cold and heavy snowfall, prompting them to gradually move their yak and chauri herds to lower, warmer regions.

In summer, when the snow melts and grass starts to grow again, livestock are taken back to temporary sheds in the high pastures, generally located above 4,000 meters, Hirachan added.

This season, around 1,000 yaks and chauris belonging to 10 households in Marche Lek of Thasang Rural Municipality–2 have already been moved to lower areas to escape the cold and snow.

Similarly, about 500 animals from eight households in Mulikharka Lek near Dhaulagiri Base in Thasang, and roughly 700 animals from six households in Bataase Lek (spanning Thasang–1 and Gharapjhong–2), have also been transferred to lower valleys, according to the committee secretary.