About Humla

The region is one of the most underdeveloped areas in Nepal with only one hospital and campus and few higher secondary schools in Simikot serving the whole district. Most of the villages of Humla don’t have access to electricity, communication (telephone, mobile service, internet), clean drinking water, qualified and good education, proper health care, etc.

The average altitude is about 3,000m above sea level. Humla is the highest district in Nepal, with most villages lying at about 3,000m-5,000m above sea level. The climate is harsh, with snow for up to four months of the year. Only 1% of the land is arable, due to the rocky terrain. There is practically no irrigation, the soil is poor, and the land is very dry and arid. The growing season is short, all of which contributes to low agricultural yields. Severe food shortages are a result of population growth (due to lack of access to family planning services), climate change, and poor soil fertility. On average, most households only produce sufficient food for 3-5 months of the year.

The poorest groups in society, such as women, persons with disabilities, and low caste households face additional hardships. Small huts, open fires, and families living with the animals on mud floors are the norm in the countryside. The common means of transportation are mules which bring required products from the Tibetan border to Simikot.

The district headquarter of Humla is Simikot, at an elevation of 2945 meters. It is situated high above the Humla Karnali River and is surrounded by high snow-covered peaks. Simikot is the gateway to the Holy Mt, Kailash, and Lake Manosarober trek, which takes about 3-5 days walk up to the Tibetan border.

Humla has two distinct faces. Both of the faces will take your breath away. On the one hand, Humla is a unique and beautiful place where nature’s true gifts are still intact. Its icy cold water is rich in minerals, the fresh air is free from carbon monoxide, its mesmerizing landscape is full of known and unknown herbs and vegetations, and food grown in the region is 100% organic. But on the other hand, its isolation has pushed Humla far behind from the rest of the world. Isolation and poverty in this beautiful yet harsh Trans Himalayan mountains deprive people of all but their bare life. In one sentence fact, Humla is Middle of nowhere.

The Population

According to the national census 2011, Humla has a total population of 50,800. The citizens of Humla are known as Humli. The ethnic composition of Humla is similar to most of the High Himalayan districts. The majority of villages are populated by Hindus, mainly Chettris, Brahmins, Thakuris, and occupational castes, particularly in the southern part of the district. However, the northern part of the district is populated by a Tibetan ethnic group, which is referred to as Lama in the region. The district has the following ethnic composition: Chhetri (44.2 %), Thakuri (19.5 %), Lama (16.1%), Brahmin (6.2 %), and the occupational casts such as Kami (Black Smiths-5.66 %) Damai (Tailors-2.36 %) and Sarki (Cobblers-1.2 %).

The Lama ethnic group practices a polyandry marriage system, which is now disintegrating gradually due to various internal and external factors such as modernization, education, social and cultural-mixe with other groups, and so on.

The Dalits (locally called Dom) such as Kami, Sarki, and Damai are the lowest caste of Hindu society. They are born into their caste, which was originally based on their occupation. Dalits are still persecuted not only in Humla but in the whole Nepali and Indian society, unable to enter temples, use the same water tap or well, or associate with most people, especially the so-called higher caste people. They endure social exclusion, discrimination, food shortages, lack of education, and violence.

The Language spoken in the district is Humli Khas spoken by 84.38% of the total population, while Lama Kham (closed to the Tibetan Language) is spoken by 15.32 % of the population. It is believed that the Nepali language has its origins in Humli Khas. The religions in Humla are Hinduism (78.2 %) and Buddhism (20.2%).

Transportation

Humla has a domestic airport at Simikot, which is the only way out from here. It connects with Surkhet, Nepalgunj, and Kathmandu, the main cities of the country by air. The air distance between Nepalgunj and Simikot is 218 km. The Airport can only give services to small aircraft such as twin otters and helicopters due to its short runway. Air service depends on the weather of Humla and Nepalgunj, therefore, connections are neither regular nor reliable.

The district is inaccessible by motor roads. The second and final option to reach Humla is on foot. If one wants to reach Simikot via land, s/he needs to go through Jumla or Mugu districts. It takes one day by bus with a rough track road from Nepalgunj to Jumla/Mugu. And, it needs 5 to 7 additional days of trekking to reach Simikot from there. However, it is very hard to follow this route due to the complex geographical condition of the region. Karnali Corridor and a road from Tibet to Simikot are still under construction. It would be a milestone to link this remote area with the giant neighbor China/Tibet and the rest parts of the country. The construction works have started, but they are yet to be completed. So the people of Humla still dream to have access to modern means of transportation.

The main Transportation of Humla

This video was captured and edited By Nirmal Bista when the head of Family was at the picnic near the simikot Dadafya, The mules are transporting wood for housing. Since there is few modern vehicle available in Humla which is not affordable for Normal people. So people use horseback and Muel as their transportation system.

Education

The overall level of education in Humla is poor. According to the latest statistical report from District Education Office Humla, the literacy rate of Humla is 47%. Many people, particularly women and persons with disabilities are illiterate. Approximately 40% of children never go to school due to poverty. In two-thirds of the district, there is no secondary school. Only 2.6% of children pass the SLC, the final exam of secondary education. In Humla, many schools lack basic infrastructures such as blackboards, desks and chairs, teaching equipment, and skilled and motivated teachers. Only a few students can afford pencils or copies and books. District Education Office Humla and some NGOs like Good Neighbors Humla, The Himalayan Innovative Society, ISIS/IC Foundation, KIDARC, etc. are working to support the community schools to improve quality of education and Head Nepal and Sahara Group are working to take care of special needs of children with disabilities in Humla.

Natural Resources

Humla is rich in natural resources especially forest products, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). Due to the altitudinal and climatic variation, there are the following types of forests: Coniferous Forests (48.80 %), Hardwood Forests (4.14%), Mix Forests (41.00 %), and Shrublands (6.06 %). Many plants have medicinal values, however, efforts for conservation and knowledge about their correct use are needed for their sustainability and the economical development of the district.

The study of the District Irrigation Office in Humla shows that there are more than 50 rivers in the district. The major river is Humla Karnali. These rivers have the potential to generate hydropower up to 10,300MW. However, these resources have not yet been explored.