81-Year-Old Herds Sheep and Goats in Annapurna
Summary
Eighty-one-year-old Lalbir Tilija continues to herd sheep and goats across the high pastures of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 in Myagdi, sustaining a four-generation family tradition. He says livestock sales have paid for his household, land, and children’s education, even as climate change, wild animals, and labor shortages make shepherding harder.
Key Points
- Lalbir Tilija, 81, continues sheep and goat herding in the high-altitude Khayrekhola area of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, Myagdi.
- His family has practiced sheep farming for four generations, and he says it has supported his household and helped educate nine children.
- He now manages a joint flock with his nephew and spends summers in the alpine khark areas where grass is available.
- Rising temperatures, poisonous grasses, wild animals, and a shortage of shepherds are major challenges for mobile livestock farming.
