HIMAL HAS WORKED single-mindedly i over the last eight years to address the concerns of the inhabitants of the Himalaya. What it did was necessary and important, delving deep into the Himalayan psyche and landscape and raising issues to challenge government, academia, and those engaged in development.
Rather than go about it as a scholarly journal or newsletter, Himal sought to address the issues in magazine style and for format, something that has its own economics. The response was gratifying, and over time Himal collected a dedicated readership.
As it turned out, the audience was as small as it was committed. The numbers did not add up to sustain the magazine, and Himal Association, the non-profit publisher, always had to go in search for funds beyond
subscriptions and advertising. Because of die low level of English use in the Himalaya,the lack of a developed Himalayan market to support a homegrown journal, and, most importantly, Himal´s own determination to cover serious issues rather than the news-of-the-day, sustainability proved elusive.
After eight years on the road, it was clear that the only way to remain a Himalayan magazine was for Himal to begin to serve the tourist, tapping into the world´s never-satiated demand for a romantic Himalaya. There was good money to be made in that direction, but we have decided to take the trail less travelled by.