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Broghil faces food insecurity due to early snowfall
By Gul Hammad Farooqi
Published: January 30, 2016
PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
BROGHIL VALLEY: Garam Chashma – literally ‘hot spring’ – is a village in Broghil, a valley in the north of Chitral District near the sensitive Wakhan Corridor, which is located 250km from the main Chitral town. Last year, due to global warming, the valley received earlier-than-usual snowfall which has resulted in an acute shortage of food supplies in the village.
Horses and donkeys are the main mode of transportation in the valley. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Children play in snow. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Although the valley has no agricultural land, the Wakhi community crossed the border from China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan to settle in Broghil for its vast meadows. They lead a simple, rustic life here with bare minimums, thriving mostly on whatever the valley has to offer.
Women carry buckets of drinkable water from a nearby stream. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Due to the high altitude, trees in the valley are a rare sight, so for heating and cooking purposes locals use josh, a local grass which thrives at high altitudes. Horses and donkeys are the main source of transportation in the valley, including yaks, a long-haired bovid found throughout the Himalayan region. During winters, people wear the skin of these domestic animals to protect themselves against the intense cold.
Men collect firewood for cooking and heating purposes. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Locals use yak skin to protect themselves against extreme cold. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
This time, Broghil received its first snowfall on September 20, 2015, two months earlier than expected. This was followed by another heavy snowfall on October 16 and then again on November 20.
As a result, unwary locals are currently facing a mountain of challenges.
Yak Polo draws tourists to Chitral
There is a shortage of food as the valley is cut off from the rest of the country. Due to heavy snowfall, roads are blocked and it takes over 20 hours to reach Broghil from Chitral and surrounding villages.
By Gul Hammad Farooqi
Published: January 30, 2016
PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
BROGHIL VALLEY: Garam Chashma – literally ‘hot spring’ – is a village in Broghil, a valley in the north of Chitral District near the sensitive Wakhan Corridor, which is located 250km from the main Chitral town. Last year, due to global warming, the valley received earlier-than-usual snowfall which has resulted in an acute shortage of food supplies in the village.
Horses and donkeys are the main mode of transportation in the valley. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Children play in snow. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Although the valley has no agricultural land, the Wakhi community crossed the border from China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan to settle in Broghil for its vast meadows. They lead a simple, rustic life here with bare minimums, thriving mostly on whatever the valley has to offer.
Women carry buckets of drinkable water from a nearby stream. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Due to the high altitude, trees in the valley are a rare sight, so for heating and cooking purposes locals use josh, a local grass which thrives at high altitudes. Horses and donkeys are the main source of transportation in the valley, including yaks, a long-haired bovid found throughout the Himalayan region. During winters, people wear the skin of these domestic animals to protect themselves against the intense cold.
Men collect firewood for cooking and heating purposes. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
Locals use yak skin to protect themselves against extreme cold. PHOTO: Gul Hammad Farooqi
This time, Broghil received its first snowfall on September 20, 2015, two months earlier than expected. This was followed by another heavy snowfall on October 16 and then again on November 20.
As a result, unwary locals are currently facing a mountain of challenges.
Yak Polo draws tourists to Chitral
There is a shortage of food as the valley is cut off from the rest of the country. Due to heavy snowfall, roads are blocked and it takes over 20 hours to reach Broghil from Chitral and surrounding villages.