Women collect cooking equipment sets (provided by Upasan Khadka with support from Rasuwa Relief) provided to help small businesses, guest houses, and homestays in the Langtang Valley get back on their feet as tourism begins to return.
On our way back to Kathmandu, we gave a ride to three teenage boys from the Langtang Valley - Pemba, Gyalbu, and Jhangzu - all of whom are returning to school and who told us that they will not return to Langtang for a full year. Intergenerational change is happening fast across the Himalayan region, especially in places impacted by tourism like Langtang. The earthquake and the tragedy that occurred in Langtang only amplifies complex questions of risk and opportunity, coming and going, and shifting identity... and there are no easy answers. But, ultimately, the decisions of the Langtangpa youth will shape the uncertain future of the Langtang Valley.
