Natural water sources depleting in Mustang, affecting agriculture

MUSTANG: Water sources in Mustang, a trans-Himalayan district in Gandaki Province, are gradually depleting, leading to severe challenges for farmers manage water for livestock and agriculture.

Locals say the region has been experiencing higher temperatures in recent years, which they believe is a consequence of climate change. This shift has significantly impacted local water resources, it has been said.

During recent gatherings held in Gharapjhong and Waragung Muktikshetra rural municipalities, the locals expressed concern over the dwindling water sources, adversely affecting agricultural practices and livestock farming.

Deepak Sherchan from the Local Water Consumers Committee from Jomsom stated that the growing shortage of water is directly linked to the depletion of natural sources.

On the one hand the natural water sources are vanishing while on the other hand the number of households in Jomsom is increasing. Now, it has become increasingly difficult to meet the water demands for household use, animals, and farming. He urged the authorities to explore alternative solutions to address the crisis.

Apple farming yields enough fruit in one year, but production drops drastically the next,” lamented one farmer, highlighting the unpredictable impact of water scarcity. A cattle farmer from Gharapjhong stated that highlands in Mustang have not received snowfall lately, preventing vegetation growth. This has severely impacted yak rearing.

Furthermore, due to the lack of vegetation in the highlands, wildlife has started to descend into human settlements in search of food, raising additional concerns for locals.Although there are three glacial sources for supplying drinking water to Jomsom Bazaar, the water source is depleting due to the climate change impact, said Sherchan.

Although the water sources of Kungle Hill and Thini of Jomsom are safe to provide drinking water service to Jomsom Market, there is a shortage of drinking water due to drying up of snow sources. The demand for drinking water is high as it is a commercial sector,” he said, adding, “The source of water is depleting, so there is a need to explore long-term solutions by exploring other possibilities.” he added.

Rajendra Sherchan, a farmer of Gharapjhong-4, said that snow has stopped falling during the harvesting of apples and other indigenous crops, the main fruit crop of the mountainous region.

Due to lack of snow in favorable weather and unseasonal snow, the fall of flowers blooming in the fruit garden and the increase in temperature, the production and quality of crops including apples have started deteriorating due to the infection of various diseases in the crops.