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NepalThe Mountain Region
The Mountain Region (called Parbat in Nepali) is
situated at
4,000 meters or more above sea level to the north of the
Hill
Region. The Mountain Region constitutes the central
portion of the
Himalayan range originating in the Pamirs, a high altitude
region
of Central Asia. Its natural landscape includes Mount
Everest and
the other seven of the world's ten highest peaks, which
are the
legendary habitat of the mythical creature, the yeti, or
abominable
snowman. In general, the snow line occurs between 5,000
and 5,500
meters. The region is characterized by inclement climatic
and
rugged topographic conditions, and human habitation and
economic
activities are extremely limited and arduous. Indeed, the
region is
sparsely populated, and whatever farming activity exists
is mostly
confined to the low-lying valleys and the river basins,
such as the
upper Kali Gandaki Valley.
In the early 1990s, pastoralism and trading were common
economic activities among mountain dwellers. Because of
their heavy
dependence on herding and trading, transhumance was widely
practiced. While the herders moved their goths
(temporary
animal shelters) in accordance with the seasonal climatic
rhythms,
traders also migrated seasonally between highlands and
lowlands,
buying and selling goods and commodities in order to
generate muchneeded income and to secure food supplies.
Data as of September 1991
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