Struggles of Nepal's Himalayan wildlife amidst expanding livestock populations and road networks (opinion piece)
Nepal's Limi Valley, a high-altitude landscape near the Tibetan border, is renowned for its unique high-altitude ecosystem, rich in biodiversity. However, recent changes in the valley are causing concern among environmentalists and conservationists.
The transition in Limi Valley is driven by various factors, including outmigration, families seeking education, health care, and modern amenities in Kathmandu and abroad, and seasonal work in India or China offering more immediate income than traditional herding. As a result, the high summer pastures, once primarily grazed by yaks, jhoppas (yak-cow hybrids), horses, and wild ungulates, are now abandoned by the traditional herders.
This vacancy has led to an influx of goats and sheep herders and hunters, which threaten the area's high biodiversity richness. Large flocks of goats and sheep have appeared in the high summer pastures, with an estimated 3,000-4,000 sheep and goats across seven to eight herds in total within these ecologically precious high alpine pastures.
The ecological consequences of the increased livestock numbers will be significant. Goats and sheep graze indiscriminately, stripping vegetation and leaving soils exposed to erosion. Signs of ecological strain are already visible, with instances of herding dogs preying on wildlife like Himalayan marmots.
Road construction in Gyau Valley, planned to extend by 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) to reach Shiva Kund, poses a further risk to the ecosystem. This motor road fragments habitats and increases exposure to poaching. The peak use of the Gyau-Shiva Kund road coincides with the June-August breeding season of most local wildlife species, potentially affecting them severely.
The road construction and increased tourism in Gyau Valley have likely contributed to the absence of Himalayan black-necked cranes and the reduction of kiang populations. Furthermore, the Gyau Valley's ecosystem is already under unprecedented strain due to the construction, placing it at risk.
Naresh Kusi, a Ph.D. scholar studying Himalayan wolves in Nepal and the program director at the Himalayan Wolves Project, and Geraldine Werhahn, co-chair of the IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group and director of the Himalayan Wolves Project, have expressed their concerns about these changes. They highlight the growing vulnerability of wildlife in such landscapes abandoned by the protection of traditional local stewardship.
In Ngin Valley, once rich in blue sheep, hunters from outside Limi are targeting the species, further emphasising the need for conservation efforts. Unfortunately, there are no available search results indicating which organization conducted a study in Nepal's Limi Valley in 2025 on the environmental impact of introducing large sheep and goat herds.
Tourist waste has also become a problem, with garbage surrounding prayer areas despite the presence of a disposal pit. This not only harms the environment but also negatively impacts the spiritual experiences of visitors.
The local rural municipality levies only a small grazing fee for these small livestock, which incentivizes herd expansion. Depopulation and changing stewardship are concerns, as the land is more likely to be used intensively and unsustainably without the traditional management of the Limiwas.
As these changes continue, it is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Nepal's high-altitude ecosystems and the unique wildlife they harbour. Conservation efforts and sustainable practices are needed to ensure the survival of these precious landscapes for future generations.
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