Survival in the hills..

Feb 15th, 2004, 02:31

Anybody knows how those people survive in the hill stations when the snows cuts them off from rest of the world for six months? Would you like to get cut off like that?

SHIMLA · Feb 15th, 2004, 07:27

Those who have the means and the resources move down to the plains and return at the start of Spring.

Others who are not so fortunate continue braving the winter with enough stocks to see them through; in case of a total cut off from civilisation.

I would NOT like to get cut off like that !

As a corollary, it rather makes sense not to bargain at hill-stations, as for most people the only source of income is through tourists and what these people earn during the tourist season is what they have to survive on for the entire year.

rickshawwallah · Feb 15th, 2004, 13:47

SilverMike:
Looking at this and some of your other posts, it appears that you have a rather sensationalized view of conditions in India. First off, there are no hill stations in India that are cut off from the rest of the world for six months. Most are accessible year-round by road, and some even have trains that run in all but the most extreme weather. There are villages, for example in Lahaul and Ladakh, that are certainly difficult to access throughout the winter months, but these are not hill stations. As Shimla said, many of the villages that are so isolated have much smaller populations in winter than in summer.

Can't agree with the point on not bargaining at hill stations either, Shimla. Agreed that, like any other tourist area, one can expect prices to be higher there. But bargaining is part of the culture. One must simply adjust the goal of one's bargaining in such situations, expecting to pay more in the end than you would elsewhere, but not paying an exhorbitantly inflated price simply because that is what is quoted to you.

Feb 15th, 2004, 15:32

Are you saying that they have snow plows over there? I thought the army only had that stuff. But I heard that people who are there have to leave before the winter starts or else they are stuck for six months.

rickshawwallah · Feb 16th, 2004, 00:06

I think what we're looking at here is a confusion of terminology. Hill stations are outposts in the hills that have been historically used as an escape from the oppressive heat on the plains (example Shimla, Mussooorie, Darjeeling, Ooty, Kodai, Dalhousie, McLeod Ganj, Manali). These are places that are not that remote, and are accessible year-round. The roads are often cleared with bulldozers, which the army and the department of public works have.
There are plenty of more isolated places that do not have road access year-round. Parts of Ladakh and Lahaul, as mentioned above, are prime examples. Even in these areas, though, many of the major towns are not totally cut off. Leh, in Ladakh, has regular commercial flights at its military airport, and even regional centers like Keylong and Kilar have weekly helicopter flights. Residents of the Zanskar valley make the arduous walk along the frozen Zanskar river to reach central Ladakh, where they can hitch or catch a bus to Leh. Often, people in the truly isolated villages don't leave their area at any time of year, so the restriction of winter isn't so severe for them.

Just trying to give a little perspective.

Feb 15th, 2004, 02:31	#1
SilverMike Posts: n/a	Survival in the hills.. Anybody knows how those people survive in the hill stations when the snows cuts them off from rest of the world for six months? Would you like to get cut off like that?

Feb 15th, 2004, 07:27	#2
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	Those who have the means and the resources move down to the plains and return at the start of Spring. Others who are not so fortunate continue braving the winter with enough stocks to see them through; in case of a total cut off from civilisation. I would NOT like to get cut off like that ! As a corollary, it rather makes sense not to bargain at hill-stations, as for most people the only source of income is through tourists and what these people earn during the tourist season is what they have to survive on for the entire year. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

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Feb 15th, 2004, 13:47	#3
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	SilverMike: Looking at this and some of your other posts, it appears that you have a rather sensationalized view of conditions in India. First off, there are no hill stations in India that are cut off from the rest of the world for six months. Most are accessible year-round by road, and some even have trains that run in all but the most extreme weather. There are villages, for example in Lahaul and Ladakh, that are certainly difficult to access throughout the winter months, but these are not hill stations. As Shimla said, many of the villages that are so isolated have much smaller populations in winter than in summer. Can't agree with the point on not bargaining at hill stations either, Shimla. Agreed that, like any other tourist area, one can expect prices to be higher there. But bargaining is part of the culture. One must simply adjust the goal of one's bargaining in such situations, expecting to pay more in the end than you would elsewhere, but not paying an exhorbitantly inflated price simply because that is what is quoted to you.

Feb 15th, 2004, 15:32	#4
SilverMike Posts: n/a	Are you saying that they have snow plows over there? I thought the army only had that stuff. But I heard that people who are there have to leave before the winter starts or else they are stuck for six months.

Feb 16th, 2004, 00:06	#5
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	I think what we're looking at here is a confusion of terminology. Hill stations are outposts in the hills that have been historically used as an escape from the oppressive heat on the plains (example Shimla, Mussooorie, Darjeeling, Ooty, Kodai, Dalhousie, McLeod Ganj, Manali). These are places that are not that remote, and are accessible year-round. The roads are often cleared with bulldozers, which the army and the department of public works have. There are plenty of more isolated places that do not have road access year-round. Parts of Ladakh and Lahaul, as mentioned above, are prime examples. Even in these areas, though, many of the major towns are not totally cut off. Leh, in Ladakh, has regular commercial flights at its military airport, and even regional centers like Keylong and Kilar have weekly helicopter flights. Residents of the Zanskar valley make the arduous walk along the frozen Zanskar river to reach central Ladakh, where they can hitch or catch a bus to Leh. Often, people in the truly isolated villages don't leave their area at any time of year, so the restriction of winter isn't so severe for them. Just trying to give a little perspective.