Dolpo

Dolpo is a very secluded and high-altitude region of north -western Nepal, which borders Tibet and there are no roads. The region forms the northern part of the district of Dolpa.

Geography

The area is located in the Himalayas, the settlements are located at an altitude of 2,300 to 4,300 meters. Dolpo is limited in all four directions of over 6,000 meters high mountain ranges. In the south it abuts the Dhaulagiri chain.

Because of the altitude, the region can be divided in the north in the lower Dolpo in the south and the only passports achievable upper Dolpo. The lower Dolpo has Juphal with a landing strip for small propeller planes with Dunai and the administrative headquarters. Here there are smaller stores, electricity, mobile networks, televisions.

In secluded, lying beyond the Himalayan main chain upper Dolpo (also called inner Dolpo ) spread the purely Tibetan inhabitants, the Dolpo - pa, to only a few settlements. Their number is given as 7000. From Dunai the upper Dolpo is to achieve high passes just walking in four to five days' march over 5,000 meters. This area belongs mostly to Shey Phoksundo National Park, which takes its name from the dammed by a landslide lake Phoksundo, which is at least 145 meters deep.

Dolpo is a very arid area, which is hardly affected by the summer monsoon. Therefore, there is a long dry season from September to May The vegetation ranges from sparse forests on alpine mats up to the arid steppes in the high altitude areas. The settlements are often located along rivers, which are used to irrigate the terraced fields. Attached is mostly barley and some buckwheat and vegetables. Since the cultivation of the diet is not sufficient, in addition to the livestock ( yaks, sheep, goats, horses) barter plays a major role.

Administrative divisions

The Nepalese Administrative District Dolpa has a size of 7889 km ² and 30,000 inhabitants. It lies in the development region of Central West and, with four other districts of Karnali zone for. Dolpa is surrounded to the east of the former kingdom of Mustang, in the south of the districts of Myagdi, Rukum and Jajarkot and in the west of the districts Jumla and Mugu. In the north the region borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

History

Dolpo was according to its geographic location to the 18th century western Tibetan royal and princely houses. Therefore, the area is heavily Tibetan influenced by Buddhism and. In the 16th century Dolpo became a province of the Kingdom of Mustang and remained there until it came through annexation of the Gurkha kings 1769 Nepal. By 1993, the inner Dolpo was restricted and can only be visited by foreigners since then.

Representations in film

• The life of the Dolpo - Pa describes Eric Valli published 1999 feature film Himalaya - The Childhood of a caravan leader.
• The documentary Dolpo Tulku shown in 2010 tells the story of Sherap Zangpo, who was ten years old - after a meeting with the Dalai Lama - he decided to become a monk. Sherap Zangpo, was recognized as the reincarnation of a high- Lamas of Dolpo Tulku and for 16 years for training in the monastery in Bylakuppe Namdroling (South India ) sent. The documentary accompanied him on his return to Dolpo.
• About the highest passes in the world. With a yak caravan through Dolpo. ( Alternative title: In the mountains of the Himalayas - Yak! ) Documentary, Germany, 2009, 44:10 min, Written and Directed by: Jan Kerckhoff, Producer: Bayerischer Rundfunk, first broadcast February 4, 2009 at BR, Summary of arte.