The report is essentially about livelihood vulnerability in the Upper Mustang, the isolated and difficult part of the country. Report highlights the unique features of Upper Mustang in terms of geo-ecology, socio-economy and socio-culture. Current exposures witnessed by the area, both of local and non-local origin, have been discussed. It is traced out that those exposures in totality were responsible for bringing about changes in socio-economic as well as wider environmental fronts. Three major groups: namely sedentary occupationists, nomadic pasturalists and the religious sects are identified whose means of livelihoods conspicuously differ within and between each of them and so do the respective vulnerability contexts. It is argued that interventions are yet to be able to adequately address those vulnerability contexts. Suggestions are made in favour of intervention that is likely to bring about ethically sound and practically implementable development or conservation goals. The work is essentially based on about two week's trek in Upper Mustang. A more intensive study may be required to have more in-depth information on the issues dealt.
The paper starts off by contextualising the vulnerability context, which is followed by introduction of upper Mustang. Unique features that differentiate it with rest of Nepal in terms of geo-physical conditions and socio-culture are dealt. This is followed by presentation of a brief account of internal and external factors that have been responsible for bringing about some noticeable changes. The following sections present the current sets of livelihoods and associated vulnerabilities, followed by conclusion.
The work is based on about two weeks of trek in Upper Mustang in January 2004. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was essential tool that was used to acquire information. This consisted of personal observation and informal discussions with ordinary villagers, key informants, local GOs and NGOs staff. Oral history constituted the bulk of information source.
We sincerely acknowledge the welcome gesture provided by Ram Chandra Poudel, Senior Officer at ACAP. Our sincere thanks goes to Hira KC, ACAP Ranger deputed in Upper Mustang and Man Bahadur, the porter who accompanied us to virtually all of the places we covered and constantly shared rich knowledge they have had while working for ACAP for several years in this remote part of Nepal. Likewise we are grateful to people of Upper Mustang who, despite their busy schedule, gave their time and effort in sharing their deep insights.
