A Travel Beyond the Himalayas: Mustang # 1!

General Information

Mustang, also called the “Himal Pariko Jilla (District beyond the Himalayas)”, lies north to the gigantic Annapurna-Dhaulagiri massif. People from low land called it as “Thak Khola”; meaning – the land of Thakalis (Gurung Communities). The region represents an extension of the Tibetan Platue and characterized by extremely dry climate. The Annapurna (8091m average sea level) and Dhaulagiri (8167 m asl) screens the summer monsoon, hence the rainfall is very scarce. 

Dhaulagiri range - a major summer monsoon barrier ; as seen towards south from the Jomsom (the HQ of Mustang)

Some people named the valley as a ‘desert of the Himalayas’. But ecologically it is being characterized as an ARID zone and the flora recognized as Tibetan elements. The vegetation is of the steppe type with domination of Caragana spp., Lonicera spp., Juniperus spp., Rosa spp. etc. Tree species are limited to only Populus and Salix. Apples tree are also found booming in private orchards.

A Landscape showing Cushion forming Caragana - Lonicera vegetation and Mt. Dhaulagiri on distant

Politically, traditionally and even culturally (I think) the whole Mustang valley is divided into 2 major regions; the Upper Mustang (popularly called the Lo-Manthang) and the Lower Mustang. Kaligandaki river is the only river-system originated from Mustang. The river is famous in Hindu religion because we can find Ammonites/Shaligram (one of the various forms of Lord Bishnu - the Protector).

A landscape of Mustang showing the gorge carved by Kaligandaki river ; taken on 21st of November.

Lo-manthang is the northern part of the Mustang extended towards north from Kagbeni up to the border of Chinese Autonomous Region – the Tibet. The area is designated as a restricted zone by the Department of Immigration, Government of Nepal. To my knowledge, it is because the area has its particular culture/traditions, has been ruling by the local King since centuries, and also because of being an open border area with Tibet. It is mandatory to have an especial entry permit to visit Lo-Manthang. The fee is quite a bit high. One person should pay at least US$ 500 to enter the area and this works for 10days. For each extra day need to pay US$ 50/day. The Department of Immigration only issues the permit. I haven’t yet been to Upper Mustang. I would love to go and will write in detail if I get chance to visit.

Kaligandaki River and the lower part of Lo-Manthang, where we can find Ammonites easily

It is much easier to trek on the Lower Mustang. But a permit is must for foreigners. The permit provisions are as: 

Permit Procedure and Regulations:

Entry Fee (Per Person) to visit Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA):
For SAARC Nationals: Nepali Rupees 200.
For other Nationals (other than SAARC countries): Nepali Rupees 2,000.

Note:

Entrance fee not required for children less than 10 years of age.

Trekkers visiting multiple Conservation Areas will require obtaining individual Entry Permits for each Conservation Area.

Two passport size photographs are required while applying for each Entry Permit.

Terms and Conditions:

This Entry Permit is valid for single entry only and is non refundable, non-transferable. The permit holder can enter the designated places within the Conservation Area.

Person entering the Conservation Area shall abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 B.S. (1973) and the Regulations made under this Act.

This Entry Permit must be carried during the entire trip and should be shown if concerned personnel of the Conservation Area want to check it.

Entry permits to Annapurna Conservation Area (and Manaslu Conservation Area as well) will only be issued from the following Entry Permit Counters listed below. Entry Permits will not be issued from any check posts along the trekking routes of the Conservation Areas. Therefore, all are requested to obtain an Entry Permit before entering the Conservation Areas. However, under special circumstances, Entry Permit may be issued from the check posts along the trekking route upon a payment of 100% additional charge.

Entry Permits available at the following locations:

Kathmandu: Nepal Tourism Board , Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu (for Annapurna & Manaslu)
Opening hours Sunday to Saturday except on public holidays in Kathmandu:9 am – 5 pm

Pokhara: Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Service Centre, Pardi Damside (for Annapurna only)
Opening hours Sunday to Saturday except on public holidays in Pokhara: 10 am – 5 pm

Download Entry Permit Application Forms:

A. Annapurna Conservation Area (for Organized Groups)
B. Annapurna Conservation Area (for Individual Trekkers)

For further information please contact:
NTNC, Kathmandu: info@ntnc.org.np
NTNC-ACAP, Pokhara: info@ntnc-acap.org.np

Source of permit procedures and regulations: http://www.ntnc.org.np/trekking-annapurna-and-manaslu-information-and-entry-permit-forms 

#2. HIMALAYAS - The Beauty and Majesty: Facts

1.  In Sanskrit HIMA = Snow and ALAYA= Abode; hence HIMALAYA = ‘the abode of snow’.
2.  Though it is unusual to have such an amount of snow/ice accumulation in low latitude, the mountain are so high that the cold and rarefied air always adores their peaks so that the snow/ice respects and keeps on covering constantly.
3.  Himalayas – the world’s tallest mountains – are the mountains in between Indus River on the west to the Barhmaputra River on the east, measuring approximately 2400 kilometers, with width variation from 160 – 240 kilometers.
4. Himalayas cover about 0.4% of the Earth’s Space i.e. an area of 612021 square KM.
5.  Himalayas, also called “the water towers”, are the origin of some major river systems like the Indus, the Sutlej, the Ganges, the Mahakali, the Karnali, the Gandaki, the Sapta Koshi, and the Burhmaputra – the source of fresh water for about 1/3^rd of the world populations.
6. Erosion is crucial in case of the Himalayas, not only in creation of antecedent rivers, but in the general formation of Himalayas.
7. According to Bob Stoddard, if there wouldn’t be the wearing down of this gigantic earth wrinkle, the Himalayas would be much higher and growing at the rate of 8 – 10 centimeters annually.
8.  He furthers argues that, the present rate of erosion is such that it takes a century for the mountains to increase in height even a few centimeters.
9.  Erosion affects not only the height but also carves into steep peaks, narrow gorges, and the generally rugged topography that characterizes these young mountains.
10. Himalayas are one of the most vulnerable areas of world due to climate change. Various studies suggest that warming in the Himalayas has been much greater than the global average of 0.74°C over the last 100 years.
11. The Himalayas are characterized by high altitude, rich biodiversity and high endemism despite being environmentally severe.
12. It is accepted that abiotic stresses increase with increased altitude in the Himalayas.
13.  Many of the World's most sensitive ecosystems are in Mountain regions.
14. Mountain ecosystems support 1/2 of the world's biological diversity and nearly half of the world's biodiversity Hotspots (Hassan et.al. 2005).
15. Globalization, economic policies, increasing pressure on land and resources due to economic growth, land-use change, and change in population structure and lifestyle are some of the drivers of change that impact the mountain ecosystem and people.
16. Global climate change acts an additional stressor to exacerbate the impact of other drivers of change (ICIMOD 2010).
17. There are about 204 critical glacial lakes in Hindu-Kush Himalayan region that have a potential for bursting.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# g. Satyrium nepalenseD. Don

Habit: Herbaceous (terrestrial)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Pakistan to South West China, Nepal Himalayas

Altitude range: 1500 – 4000 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to Alpine Meadows; growing open grassy slopes

Flowering: June - September

Reference(s): (Polunin & Stainton 1984)

Photo: Nagarkot, Central Nepal

*Polunin, O. & Stainton, A. (1984) Flowers of the Himalaya. U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# f. Pleione humilis (Smith) D. Don

Habit: Herbaceous

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Central Nepal Himalayas to South East China, Burma

Altitude range: 2000 – 3000 m average sea level

Habitat: Temperate zones; growing on rocks and steep banks

Flowering: October - November

Reference(s): (Polunin & Stainton 1984)*

Photo: Olangchunggola, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal. 

*Polunin, O. & Stainton, A. (1984) Flowers of the Himalaya. U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# e. Spiranthus sinensis(Pers.) Ames

Habit: Herbaceous (terrestrial)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Afganistan to South East China through Nepal Himalayas, Australia

Altitude range: 1000 – 4500 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to Alpine Meadows; growing open slopes and cultivated areas

Flowering: April - August

Reference(s): (Polunin & Stainton 1984)*

Photo: Nagarkot, Central Nepal

* Polunin, O. & Stainton, A. (1984) Flowers of the Himalaya. U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# d. Pleione praecox (Smith) D. Don

Habit: Herbaceous (forest epiphyte)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Uttar Pradesh to South West China through Nepal Himalayas

Altitudinal range: 1800 – 2500 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to temperate zones; growing on rocks and steep mossy banks

Flowering: October - November

Reference(s): (Polunin & Stainton 1984)*

Photo: on the way to Curriee – Kalinchowk, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Central Nepal; taken while growing on Quercus semicarpifolia (Oak) tree trunk.

*Polunin, O. & Stainton, A. (1984) Flowers of the Himalaya. U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# c. Coelogyne punctulataLindley

Habit: Herbaceous (epiphytic)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Eastern Nepal to South West China

Altitudinal range: 900 – 2100 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to temperate zones

Flowering: May

Reference(s): (Stainton 1988)*

Photo: on the way to Olangchunggola, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal.

*Stainton, A. (1988) Flowers of the Himalaya (A supplement). U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# b. Coelogyne cristataLindley

Habit: Herbaceous (epiphytic)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Himalayas

Altitudinal range: 1000 – 2500 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to temperate zones; growing on rocks

Flowering: February – April

Reference(s): (Polunin & Stainton 1984)*

Photo: on the way from Birethanti to Ulleri, Annapurna Conservation Area, Central Nepal.

*Polunin, O. & Stainton, A. (1984) Flowers of the Himalaya. U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# a. Calanthe plantagineaLindley

Habit: Herbaceous (terrestrial)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: west Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan

Altitudinal range: 1500 – 2100 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to temperate zone; edge of forests; steeply rocky landscapes

Flowering: January – April

Reference(s): (Rajbhandari & Bhattarai 2001)*

Photo taken: on the way to Thulo Syafru Village, Langtnag National Park, Rasuwa Nepal 

*Rajbhandari, K. R. & Bhattarai, S. (2001) Beautiful Orchids of Nepal. Kathmandu: Authors.