Vol. 8 · No. 2 · 2004

Colleen McVeigh

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Like people everywhere, Langtang villagers pursue economic strategies that are structured by physical, social and economic conditions operating at the local, regional, national and even global levels. Together, these conditions shape the community's ability to adapt, survive and even prosper in a relatively harsh and marginal environment. Although the Langtang economy has diversified over the last twenty years, mainly with an increase in international tourism and the availability of government and non-government salaried positions, clearly agropastoralism continues to play a key role in household economic strategies. With 82 percent of Langtang households owning at least some livestock in 1997-1998, the pastoral sector remains a pervasive force in the valley.