Writers, film directors, scientists and tourists have all described Dolpoas a 'last paradise', the land of the snow leopard, full of myths and magic; a home to untouched nature and unspoilt Buddhist and Bon culture.One of the most remote mountain regions in the world, Dolpo is among the least-developed rural regions of Nepal. A culturally Tibetan region in the upper Dolpa district of north-western Nepal, Dolpo lies along the border with Tibet (China) and has been closed to foreigners for decades. A breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks, rugged ridges and barren, brown-grey mountains contrasts with the green irrigated pastureland in the region's glaciated valleys. Sitting in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif, Dolpo receives very little annual rainfall, and its agriculture depends on irrigation. Largely ignored by the government,the people of Dolpo have developed a self-sufficient lifestyle thatinvolves hard work, daily risk taking and a constant fight for survival. In Dolpo: People and Landscape, Gerda Pauler explores the individuals, communities and culture that makes Dolpo one of the most fascinating regions of the Himalaya. Interviews with Dolpo's inhabitants, meticulous research and stunning photography make this book a must-read for anyone with an interest in Central Asia and Nepal.
