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🇳🇵 Nepal /Economy & Trade

Humla residents walk six hours for salt, still face shortages

From Kathmandu Post · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Residents of Nekpa, Humla, Nepal, walk up to six hours to obtain salt due to a lack of road access.
  • Subsidized salt costs Rs9 per kg, significantly less than the Rs40 per kg in local markets, but distribution is limited and seasonal.
  • Salt shortages are a recurring issue in Humla's remote rural municipalities, with delayed deliveries and insufficient supply impacting residents.

In the remote corners of Humla, Nepal, the struggle for basic necessities like salt highlights the stark realities of life for many citizens. While the government provides subsidized salt, the journey to obtain it is arduous, often involving a six-hour trek for residents of Nekpa. This arduous journey underscores the critical need for improved infrastructure, particularly roads, in one of Nepal's most underdeveloped Himalayan districts.

There is no road access in the village, so we have to reach the municipal centre at Piplang to get salt. We wake up at dawn, go there, bring salt back and return only by evening.

— Purna BudhaA resident of Nekpa, Humla, describing the arduous journey to obtain salt due to lack of road access.

The distribution system itself presents challenges. With subsidized salt costing a mere Rs9 per kg compared to Rs40 in local markets, demand is high. However, allocations are limited, with households needing recommendations from ward offices to receive their share. Even then, the amount distributed, such as 50 kg per household initially, may not be enough, leading to requests for additional supplies.

Salt in local markets costs Rs40 per kg. Subsidised salt, however, is sold at Rs9 per kg.

— Harkadhan TamangA ward chairperson explaining the price difference between subsidized and market salt.

The problem is not isolated to one village. Other rural municipalities in Humla, like Tanjakot and Adanchuli, face similar issues with delayed or insufficient salt deliveries. Blame is often placed on contractor delays and logistical hurdles. The Salt Trading Corporation acknowledges staff shortages at rural depots, leading to bulk, infrequent distributions. This situation forces locals to travel to district headquarters for more salt if their initial allocation is insufficient.

Salt arrives only once a year. This year, we allocated 25 kg per family. Once more stock arrives, we will distribute another 25 kg per household.

— Lal Kesh JaisiChair of Tanjakot Rural Municipality detailing the limited and infrequent salt distribution.

This recurring salt shortage in Humla is more than just an inconvenience; it's a symptom of deeper systemic issues related to infrastructure, supply chain management, and equitable distribution of essential goods in remote regions. While international news might focus on national politics or tourism, stories like these from Humla reveal the daily struggles of ordinary Nepalis and the urgent need for government attention to basic service delivery.

There is a shortage of staff at rural depots, which creates problems. At present, we distribute salt once a year in bulk.

— Raj Bahadur LamaChief of the Humla branch of the Salt Trading Corporation explaining distribution challenges.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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