Lack of Winter Snowfall Alarms Mustang Farmers

Farmers in the trans-Himalayan district of Mustang are growing concerned due to the lack of snowfall in the winter for the past three years.

Only light, unseasonal snowfall was observed in late October in Upper Mustang and areas near Sangta village along the Muktinath road connecting Mustang and Dolpa districts, which did little to benefit local agriculture.

Snow during the winter season is considered a blessing for farmers. When it falls at the right time, it helps enrich soil moisture, strengthens crops, and boosts production. However, this year, snow has yet to fall despite it being mid-January, a period traditionally expected to bring winter snowfall in the trans-Himalayan region, explained Roshan Thakali, agriculture officer at Gharpajhong Rural Municipality.

Although irrigation infrastructure has been established in most arable land and apple orchards, snowfall during winter is still crucial for maintaining soil fertility, said Thakali, head of the agriculture office. Snow helps recharge moisture deep into the soil, benefiting crops such as apples, barley, buckwheat, maize and wheat, he noted.

“If snow does not fall in the optimal winter months, crops like apples become prone to pests and diseases, and the rise in soil temperature prevents essential nutrients from being absorbed. Snow acts as a natural organic pesticide and fertilizer, strengthening crops naturally,” Thakali said.

Farmers harvest apples and other crops like barley and buckwheat after the post-harvest period from mid-August to mid-October. Traditionally, snowfall in mid-December to mid-January is essential to prepare the soil for winter crops, said Ajit Thakali, a local farmer from Gharpajhong. However, snow has been scarce in Mustang for the last three years, causing concern among farmers.

The lack of snow has also contributed to a rise in crop diseases, as irrigation from rivers and streams fails to fully replenish the soil. “Without snow, farmers are increasingly worried about pest outbreaks in their fields,” added Thakali.

In earlier years, heavy snowfall covered Mustang from lower to upper regions, filling valleys, pastures and settlements with over two feet of snow by this time of winter. Such snowfalls ensured healthy crop growth and abundant apple production. Recently, however, irregular rainfall has replaced the traditional snowfall, affecting both agriculture and local livelihoods.

Eighty-four-year-old Ngacha Thakali of Thasang Rural Municipality-1, Tukuche, said that he has not witnessed snowfall during mid-December and mid-February for the past few years. “Snow used to fall every winter during my lifetime. Now, for the past two to three years, we haven’t seen any,” he said.

Local tourism has also been affected. Suraj Gurung, owner of Grand Samwal Hotel in Muktinath, said that snow previously drew tourists for skiing competitions and sightseeing. Climate change has altered snowfall patterns, leading to warmer ground temperatures and negatively affecting apple cultivation, explained Mohan Singh Lalchan, chairperson of Gharpajhong Rural Municipality. Lalchan added that apple buds are now sprouting as early as January, instead of the regular March–April cycle, forcing farmers to reconsider traditional planting schedules.

The changing climate is also affecting local traditions and heritage. Old stone and mud houses built over centuries are now at risk as rain replaces snow, causing damage to roofs and walls. Neeraj Thakali, a resident of Gharpajhong-5, said that traditional houses are deteriorating due to irregular rainfall. “With better road access, many are replacing traditional homes with concrete structures,” he added.

Officials warn that these changes in snowfall patterns and temperature are negatively impacting Mustang’s agriculture, biodiversity, culture, and tourism, reflecting the broader effects of climate change in the Himalayan region. -- RSS