Korala Border Operations Bring New Livelihood Opportunities to Upper Mustang

The full-fledged operation of the northern Korala border point between Nepal and China has created employment opportunities for locals of Upper Mustang over the past two years.

Following the opening of the Korala border, residents of Upper Mustang have been engaged in trade and business activities in the no-man’s-land area on the Nepali side and at the Liji market on the Chinese side across the Korala border. The border point was initially opened on November 13, 2023, and was later fully opened as an international trade route on September 15 this year.

Before the border became operational, locals of Upper Mustang were largely dependent on agriculture, livestock farming and household work. Although the border crossing was earlier accessible only to residents of Upper Mustang, the government fully opened it for cross-border trade in mid-September.

Lindup Gurung of Lomanthang-2, Kimling, is among those running businesses at the Korala border by setting up temporary tarpaulin stalls. He said he shifted to trade after the border opened, putting aside his earlier engagement in agriculture and livestock farming. Of the estimated 80 to 90 traders operating such temporary stalls, many have already moved to lower areas to escape the harsh winter.

Situated at an altitude of 4,610 metres above sea level, the Korala border has seen reduced tourist activity due to extreme cold, but authorities have said the crossing will not be closed. Traders have also agreed on informal understanding to manage business operations, including taking turns to sell Chinese products to tourists.

More than 300 people are currently engaged in trade and business activities at the border point. In addition, over 100 local youths have found employment in loading and unloading goods, as well as handling electric vehicles and cargo containers. They earn between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 per day, locals said. -- RSS