High in the northern expanse of Namkha Rural Municipality-6 in Humla district lies Zang village, once known as a tranquil settlement beyond the mountains. Today, the village stands deserted, echoing the tales of migration that have emptied it of life.
Just a year ago, four households called Zang their home. But this year, not a single soul remains, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported. Families have moved to cities like Kathmandu, Surkhet, and Nepalgunj, lured by the promise of better infrastructure and opportunities. Others have crossed the reopened Hilsa border into Taklakot, China, seeking employment, leaving behind a village now abandoned.
“There is no one left in Jang village this year,” RSS quoted Tundup Lama, a ward member from nearby Til village, as saying. “Most families have migrated to urban areas for facilities, while some have moved to Simkot or across the border to China.”
The emptiness of Jang mirrors a broader migration trend across Limi’s villages, including Til and Halji. Tshiring Tundup Lama, a local from Halji, told RSS, “This year, only 15 households remain in Til. Many people used to leave during winter to escape the cold and return after the rainy season. But now, those who leave rarely come back.”
Efforts to sustain the community were made. Over the past two years, the rural municipality ensured year-round health services at the Limi health post, catering to residents of Til and Halji, RSS added. Yet, the absence of people in Jang has rendered Bhrikuti Primary School silent, with its classrooms empty and doors closed due to a lack of students.
The migration reflects a yearning for a better life—access to transportation, electricity, quality health care, and education—amenities that remain out of reach in the remote mountains. The biting cold and isolation during winters drive many to leave, but it’s the pull of a more comfortable life that keeps them from returning.
Zang village’s story is not unique but deeply poignant. The loss of these mountain hamlets is more than just empty homes; it’s the erosion of centuries-old traditions, culture, and a way of life. (With inputs from RSS)
