The Tatopani border point, located in Olangchung Gola of Taplejung district, has been closed for about four years now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the coronavirus infection spread from China to various countries, including Nepal, the Tatopani border point was shut down. Communities in the bordering regions have been demanding the reopening of the border point as it affects their access to affordable goods.
China had closed the border point due to concerns of the coronavirus spreading through cross-border trade. A team of Chinese workers, who had come for road construction, was stopped from entering the region by the Riwo Rural Municipality administration as a precaution against the pandemic.
Due to the spread of coronavirus in their own country and the risk of it spreading elsewhere, the Tatopani border point had remained closed for quite some time upon the request of the local administration. Communities in the border regions, such as Yalangma, Thudam, Olangchung Gola, and Tokpegola, heavily rely on the Chinese market for daily consumable goods.
Factors like floods, landslides, and other calamities have made it challenging for local residents to access the Tatopani border point. Tansing Sherpa, a resident of Faktanglung-7, mentioned that around 90% of the communities in Phaktanglung-7, Olangchung Gola, Yalangma, and Ghunsa region were dependent on the Chinese market.
Tansing Sherpa stated, “For a long time, due to the closure of the Tatopani border point, essential food and other supplies from China have been cut off. Even salt and essential food supplies required for daily life are not coming.”
With the halt in trade with China, the VDC Chairperson of Faktanglung-7, Cheten Bhote, highlighted the economic repercussions. The major trade, especially in Chiraito, Yarchagumba, and livestock products, has faced a significant setback.
The region of Olangchung Gola, situated at an altitude of about 3,200 meters above sea level is the main livelihood source for communities engaged in trade, business and animal husbandry. Similarly the communities in Yalangma, located at an altitude of around 4,200 meters above sea level were also dependent on the Chinese market.
Kanchanjanga Conservation Area Management Council’s Assistant Program Coordinator, Jiten Chemjong, mentioned that after the Tatopani border point closure, necessary food supplies were being transported to Taplejung through smuggling routes.
As the Tatopani border point remained closed, trade between China and Nepal was severely impacted, causing economic difficulties in Faktanglung-6. The major products like Chiraito, Yarchagumba, and livestock items that were traded to China were no longer finding markets, leading to an economic crisis.
Due to the closure of the Tatopani border point, communities in areas like Gola, Yalangma, Ghunsa, and Falak were relying on the Faktanglung-6 market in the absence of trade with China. This dependency on the local market of Faktanglung-6 further increased the cost of living for these communities.
Gyabu Sherpa, a resident of Yalangma, highlighted that they used to have around 32 yaks two years ago, but now they have around 64 yaks. The lack of sales in the Chinese market due to the pandemic has resulted in an increase in the number of yaks in the region.
However, the closure of the Tatopani border point has led to challenges even for families who engage in smuggling goods for personal use. In such cases, the cost of transporting goods from Lhasa to Olangchung Gola, Yalangma, Falak, and Ghunsa, which are situated at altitudes ranging from 3,200 to 4,500 meters, is higher than the cost of the goods themselves.
Until recently, vehicles from China used to bring goods up to the border point, but this has changed since the border closure. As a result people from the region need to travel to Lhasa to purchase goods and then transport them back to their homes which significantly increases their expenses.
People are facing difficulties in exporting products like Chiraito from Yalangma to China. The VDC Chairperson of Faktanglung-7, Rajkumar Rai, highlighted that they were facing challenges as they used to sell products to traders who visited households in the region, but now there are no such visits.
In conclusion the closure of the Tatopani border point due to the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the livelihoods and trade activities of communities in the bordering regions of Nepal. The dependence on the Chinese market for essential goods as well as the challenges in transportation and trade have led to economic hardships for these communities.
The yaks of Fincho Sherpa’s farm have not been sold for the past four years. Sherpa, who had 25 yaks four years ago, now has 60 yaks. He revealed that he named his yaks “Dee” and “Bhaale”.
At an elevation of 3,500 to 5,000 meters above sea level, the region is suitable for both yak and Dhee (female yak) breeding.
Sonam Sherpa from Yangma mentioned that various products such as Chhurpi (dried cheese), hides, and other livestock goods produced from Nepali yaks, Dhees, and Chauri yaks are sold in Chinese markets at good prices.
In the Chinese market, yaks are sold for prices ranging from 60,000 to 150,000 Nepali Rupees per yak. Chhurpi and hides are sold for around 1,200 Nepali Rupees per kilogram, as informed by Phimjo Sherpa from Yangma.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the yak trade has been impacted. Ring Sherpa, a yak businessman from Papung of Mikwakhola Rural Municipality-5 in Kimathanka, shared this information.
The Mikwakhola-5 Tokpegola area, which has yak herds, was known for exporting Chauri yaks and livestock products to various Chinese markets via Kimathanka of Tibet. There are around 35 yak herds in the Tokpegola area, according to Dandu Lama, the Deputy Chairperson of Mikwakhola Rural Municipality.
In the Tokpegkhola area, there are more than two thousand yaks, as stated by Chauri Sherpa.
Among the nine local levels of the district, yak farming is practiced in seven rural municipalities, excluding Phungling Municipality and Pathibhara Rural Municipality.
Pema Sherpa from Ghyunsak mentioned that due to the potential for profitable export to China, the Himalayan community is attracted to yak farming.
The opening of the trade route from Tiptala to Bhunjyag, scheduled from Bhadra, has excited the local communities. According to Chhetan Walung, the Ward Chairperson of Faktanglung Rural Municipality-7, which includes Bhunjyag of Tiptala, the news of the trade route’s opening has motivated the people in the border area.
The Chief District Officer, Gomadevi Chemjong, informed that the process to open the route has begun.
Previously, a virtual meeting was held between representatives from Dingje County of Tibet and Taplejung on April 22, where they coordinated to open the route. The request to open the route was made jointly by the Ward Offices of Olangchung Gola, Faktanglung Rural Municipality, and the District Administration Office.
China’s authorities have indicated that the route will be opened only for trade purposes and will extend from Tiptala in Bhunjyag, according to Chhetan.
Furthermore, the distance to Riwo from Tibet is about 35 km. Riwo is a commercial center in Tibet and has a trade center situated around 25 km from Ghunsa in Taplejung. Efforts have been made to build a center in Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha.
While the movement of goods and people is possible to Riwo from both Nepal and Tibet, the border areas have been excited by the prospect of easy access.
However, Chhetan mentioned that though the border areas will be able to reach Riwo in Tibet in three days, it will take just one day from Olangchung Gola. Despite the road connection between both countries, the Nepali side’s road has been obstructed due to COVID-19.
According to Chhetan, even though the road from China to Simanaad has been connected, the road from Olangchung Gola to Simanaad, which is within 24 km, is blocked. The road from Simanaa to Ghunsa has been blocked after the spread of the coronavirus. Although repairs are needed, there are no maintenance resources available.
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