Depshaar, which translates as "Town of Giants," is a tiny Kyrgyz village in the Jerge-Tal district of Tajikistan. The place has never really enjoyed the potential benefits from its proximity to Ismoil Somoni, the summit of the Pamir Mountains, which was known during the Soviet era as "The Peak of Communism." The village was depopulated by Stalinist deportations, and it now faces an exodus of residents to neighboring Kyrgyzstan. (Photos by Janyl Jusupjan)
Tajikistan's Dwindling 'Town Of Giants'
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Yaks.
The village was given some 100 yaks from East Pamir’s Murghab, another Kyrgyz district. They were transported on trucks to Depshaar via Kyrgyzstan. But since the snow is often heavy in this area, the yak keepers have to stock feed for them, removing much of the benefit of having them. But as it is a state program, they continue to look after them.
The village was given some 100 yaks from East Pamir’s Murghab, another Kyrgyz district. They were transported on trucks to Depshaar via Kyrgyzstan. But since the snow is often heavy in this area, the yak keepers have to stock feed for them, removing much of the benefit of having them. But as it is a state program, they continue to look after them.
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A view of the village of Depshaar, from the southern slopes of the Pamir Mountains.
During the Soviet era, the villagers made many friends with Russian and other foreign mountaineers. Today, the adventure trade is a monopoly of the Tajik central government. Foreign tourists wishing to climb the former "Peak of Communism" are brought to the base camp or to a higher elevation by helicopter directly from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. The former tourist camp near the village is now occupied by the military.
During the Soviet era, the villagers made many friends with Russian and other foreign mountaineers. Today, the adventure trade is a monopoly of the Tajik central government. Foreign tourists wishing to climb the former "Peak of Communism" are brought to the base camp or to a higher elevation by helicopter directly from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. The former tourist camp near the village is now occupied by the military.