Living happily in Asias highest village in Himachal Pradesh

The 114 residents of Komic in Lahul-Sipti District of Himachal Pradesh, said to be the highest village in Asia, are leading a happy spartan life, and are not too concerned with the lack of development in the area.

By Rajiv Kimta

Komic (Lahul-Sipti) Himachal Pradesh, Aug.29 : The 114 residents of Komic in Lahul-Sipti District of Himachal Pradesh, said to be the highest village in Asia, are leading a happy spartan life, and are not too concerned with the lack of development in the area.

Situated at an altitude of over 4,275 meters above sea level, this village is exposed to temperatures that vary between -28 degree centigrade to +28 degree centigrade. The area also remains cut off for most of the year from rest of the world due to snowfall and communication failure.

The villagers say that no official of the Lahul-Sipti District administration has ever visited Komic, and admit that no development work has taken place in the village.

Cheriny Prnching, a resident, said: "This region has 14 or 15 villages. Our main crop is pea. This place is unbelievably cold. From January onwards, the roads here are blocked, and we are cut off from the outside world. Life really becomes difficult then. It would be good if the Government could provide us with telephones."

Owing to its relative isolation, certain unique aspects of the Tibetan Buddhist culture are well preserved in this village, austerity being one of them.

A key landmark of Komic is the monastery dedicated to Gyawa Jampa or Matrey Buddha, famously known as the future Buddha.

Buddhist pilgrims and trekking tourists are amazed to see the dedicated zeal with which the locals of Komic have preserved their culture and heritage against all odds.

Jamyange Gyatro, an Austrian tourist, said: "This whole landscape is breathtaking. The village is an example of humans' constant victory against nature. One would not believe that people can live in as harsh environment as in Spiti unless they see it. But here, people have been living for generations."

Despite harsh temperatures, diligent villagers grow crops like barley, wild pea and a few vegetables as their staple food.

The Himachal Pradesh Public Work Department has been trying to hook up the isolated Komic Village to the mainland.

The construction of a road is in full swing with the help of locals of Komic and other nearby villages.

A monk noted that the road will be a boon for the village.

Besides, Komic, Spiti region has 14 more villages located in highlands at an average altitude of above 4,000 metres. Famous among them are Demul, Kibber, Lhalung and Dhankhar.

Most the villages fall within the Kibber sanctuary, an ideal home to rare and endangered species of wildlife such as the snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, jungle fowl, blue sheep and others.

Given proper infrastructure like roads connectivity, communication facilities, electricity, the picturesque region can allure a larger number of tourists, besides making things easier for locals.

Komic has only 15 families living here for the past four decades.

Prior to Komic being regarded as the highest village in Asia, Kibber (also in Lahul-Sipti region) at 4,050 meters above sea level had that distinction.

ANI