THE DOLPO REGION

The Dolpo, a remote region in northwestern Nepal bordering on Tibet, is cut off from the rest of the world several months a year by the snow and ice. Referred to as a wonderland shrouded in mystery, the Dolpo has been considered the last enclave of pure Tibetan culture left on earth. Nestled in the mountains, at the altitude of 4100 meters, is a small valley called Tarap. Its inhabitants lead a precarious life in a harsh climate trying to grow what they can from arid land. In poorly lit windowless houses, the families gather around small fires of yak dung and shrubs. Most of them lead a nomadic life, looking for pastures for their meager livestock. Their diet consists of tsampa (roasted barley flour) and buttered tea. The problem of food shortage, coupled with the lack of transportation, has brought great hardship to the Dolpopas (inhabitants of Dolpa). Hunger and freezing winters compel the inhabitants to move to warmer places in search of work on farms. Because of the remoteness and difficult terrain, the people rarely receive the government subsidies to which they are entitled. They are deprived of education, health care and other basic amenities.