Bajura, November 25

The Bhote community of the northern Himalayan region of Bajura have started to migrate down to the plains to escape the cold as the winter sets in this year.

Locals from Bichchha, Pandusen, Wai, Rugun among other northern VDCs have started to migrate to the southern belt of the region, including Barhabisha and Kuldevmandu besides various places adjoining Achham, Doti and Surkhet districts.

They take their cattle and all family members to the plains every year. They descend to the southern belt to escape the cold wave during winter months and earn their living by trading their animals and others.

A large number of locals have started to vacate their homes with their cattle, including sheep, himalayan goat, mules, oxen, horses, cows and foodstuff to temporarily settle in the southern plains.

Chandra Gurung of Agaunipani-7, has already left his house to escape this year’s cold. Gurung’s four-member family has settled in Achham. “As the cold wave in winter hits life hard in Pandusen, we migrated to Achham and we will stay here for six months,” said Gurung.

There are around 10,000 Bhote people in the area.