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  • The signs of changing times are evident as Maasai children relax with a game of football as their elders walk by cloaked in traditional clothing during lunch break at the Endulen Primary school in Ngornogoro District in Tanzania September 29, 2003.  Most Maasai now see the value of sending their children to school so they can have a voice in the government to protect themselves with increasing land loss. The Maasai were thrown out of the Crater in 1972 in the name of conservation and are being threatened again  under a torrent of new legislation. Like other indigenous people the world over, they continue to be evicted from their land in the name of tourism and conservation. They have lived on these lands for centuries but now struggle to survive on their borders, especially in the difficult drought years. Though they were able to live in harmony with the wildlife for centuries, the places with rich water sources are now preserved for tourists.  Eco-tourism, the government solution to chronic poverty, brings in vast revenues but sadly, the dispossessed Maasai are not allowed to benefit. Only a handful, mostly foreign owned tourist operators profit and only a tiny portion of the money actually filters through to the local economy.
    ami123.jpg
  • KASHMIR,INDIA, JULY 25:  Kashmiri children enjoy some relief from the scalding temperatures with a swim in Dal Lake at the base of the Himalayas in Srinagar, the Indian held summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir July 25, 2003.  Islamic guerrillas have been fighting for independence of the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir since 1989 but for the first time in 13 years, Kashmiris living in Srinagar have enjoyed a fragile peace and rise in tourism.
    011b.jpg
  • A Kashmiri man prepares to take his canoe across Srinagar's Dal Lake in the troubled state of Kashmir Sunday, November 18, 2001.  Kashmir's beauty is unmatched and once had a thriving tourism industry but because of the war, it has come to a virtual and complete halt.  The war in Kashmir has been going on since 1989 when militant organizations chose to fight for secession from India and now the war in Afghanistan  has made the region even more volatile . (Photo by Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    mal10528.jpg
  • An isolated canoe makes its way across Srinagar's Dal Lake in the troubled state of Kashmir Sunday, November 18, 2001.  Kashmir's beauty is unmatched and once had a thriving tourism industry but because of the war, it has come to a virtual and complete halt.  The war in Kashmir has been going on since 1989 when militant organizations chose to fight for secession from India and now the war in Afghanistan  has made the region even more volatile . (Photo by Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    kas101.jpg
  • An isolated canoe makes its way across Srinagar's Dal Lake in the troubled state of Kashmir Sunday, November 18, 2001.  Kashmir's beauty is unmatched and once had a thriving tourism industry but because of the war, it has come to a virtual and complete halt.  The war in Kashmir has been going on since 1989 when militant organizations chose to fight for secession from India and now the war in Afghanistan  has made the region even more volatile . (Photo by Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    kas106.jpg
  • Maasai pastoralists collect water at one of the few sources in Endulen, outside of the pristine Ngornogoro Crater in Tanzania, October 4, 2003.  The Maasai were thrown out of the Crater in 1972 in the name of conservation and are being threatened again with further land loss under a torrent of new legislation. Like other indigenous people the world over, they continue to be evicted from their land in the name of tourism and conservation. They have lived on these lands for centuries but now struggle to survive on their borders, especially in the difficult drought years. Though they were able to live in harmony with the wildlife for centuries, the places with rich water sources are now preserved for tourists.  Eco-tourism, the government solution to chronic poverty, brings in vast revenues but sadly, the dispossessed Maasai are not allowed to benefit. Only a handful, mostly foreign owned tourist operators profit and only a tiny portion of the money actually filters through to the local economy.
    ami104.jpg
  • KASHMIR,INDIA: A Kashmiri Muslim woman and her child visit a Shiite shrine in Srinagar, the Indian held summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir .  A sign reads that ladies are not allowed to enter the shrine after 6:30 p.m.  Islamic guerrillas have been fighting for independence of the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir since 1989, but for the first time in 13 years, Kashmiris living in Srinagar have enjoyed a fragile peace and boom in tourism.
    016d.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami104-3.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    mi110.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami108-2.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami107s.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami106-3.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami105-3.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    mi126.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    mi125.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami127.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami119-2.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami108.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami105-2.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami101-4.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0280.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    mi117.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    mi112.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    mi109.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami122.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami121.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami119.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami116.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami113.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami110.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami105.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami103.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami104.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami102.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami101-2.jpg
  • Children march past discarded posters of King Gyanendra and Queen Komal as thousands of people arrive to celebrate Democracy Day and to greet  the Queen who was marking her 55th birthday in Kathmandu, Nepal February 18, 2005.  Nepal marked its annual Democracy Day under emergency rule with severe press censorship, telephones cut and streets flooded with security forces.  King Gyanendra got rid of the government and declared emergency rule on February 1 saying that the country  is under threat from Maoist rebels and political instability.  The Maoist insurgency has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996. (Ami Vitale)
    ami101.jpg
  • Sri Lanka during National Geographic Mission Covershot tv show in January, 2013. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • A camel trader smokes a pipe at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7255.TIF
  • Camel traders  collect water for their livestock at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7238.TIF
  • Camel traders  collect water for their livestock at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7228.TIF
  • Camel traders  collect water for their livestock at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7226.TIF
  • A camel trader makes tea at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7208.TIF
  • Camel traders  collect water for their livestock at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7145.TIF
  • A camel trader makes tea at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7133.TIF
  • Camel traders  collect water for their livestock at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7128.TIF
  • Camel traders  collect water for their livestock at the world's largest annual cattle fair in the desert town of Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Every year thousands of camel herders from the semi-nomadic Rabari tribe, who make a living rearing animals, travel for two to three weeks across 500 kilometers to set up camp in the desert dunes near Pushkar to sell their livestock. The herders sell more than 20,000 camels, horses and other animals at the annual cattle fair.
    DSC_7119.TIF
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 15, 2004:  Nepalese cross a bridge controlled by Maoists in Rukum district April 15, 2004. The infrastructure of Western Nepal is nonexistant and government troops have a hard time manoevering through the difficult terrain to combat the growing Maoist insurgency. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    mi221.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    mi108.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  A battalion of Maoist insurgents gather in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ammi106.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 17, 2004:  Nepalese villagers carry wheat back to their homes in Rukum District April 17, 2004. Most families in the Western part of the country must give a percentage of their crops to the Maoists as tax and Ill-equipped security forces in politically unstable Nepal are unable to control  the rebels. The insurgents have captured most of the Western part of Nepal in their attempt to make it a Communist State. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami237.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 18, 2004:  A Nepalese child helps his grandmother cook next to a fire in Rukum District April 18, 2004. Most of Nepal has no electricity, plumbing or infrastructure and ill-equipped security forces in the politically unstable country are unable to control  Maoist rebels, who continue to abduct thousands of villagers for forcible indoctrination and military training.  The Maoists mainly target students, teachers and youths. The victims are usually released after a few days of indoctrination, unless they actively resist the "training attempts," in which case the rebels torture or sometimes kill them. Maoist insurgents have capture most of the Western part of Nepal in their attempt to make it a Communist State. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami234.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 17, 2004:  Nepalese villagers gossip next to the small local shop in Rukum District April 17, 2004. Ill-equipped security forces in politically unstable Nepal are unable to control  Maoist rebels, who continue to abduct thousands of villagers for forcible indoctrination and military training.  The Maoists mainly target students, teachers and youths. The victims are usually released after a few days of indoctrination, unless they actively resist the "training attempts," in which case the rebels torture or sometimes kill them. Maoist insurgents have capture most of the Western part of Nepal in their attempt to make it a Communist State. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami233.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 15, 2004:  Children carry their siblings in a small village in Rukum District April 15, 2004. Ill-equipped security forces in politically unstable Nepal are unable to control  Maoist rebels, who continue to abduct thousands of villagers for forcible indoctrination and military training.  The Maoists mainly target students, teachers and youths. The victims are usually released after a few days of indoctrination, unless they actively resist the "training attempts," in which case the rebels torture or sometimes kill them. Maoist insurgents have capture most of the Western part of Nepal in their attempt to make it a Communist State. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami230.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004: Villagers watch as Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami229.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 19, 2004:  Dilmaya, 23 years-old picks berries in Gipu village in Rukum District April 19, 2004. Her husband, a former Communist Party member has been missing since he was kidnapped 13 days earlier  because he quit the Party.  Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami228.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  A Maoist insurgents yawns during a celebration in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami226.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 15, 2004:  Children stand in a hotel as a horse passes by in Rukum district April 15, 2004. The infrastructure of Western Nepal is nonexistant and government troops have a hard time manoevering through the difficult terrain to combat the growing Maoist insurgency. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami224.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami208.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 19, 2004:  Nepalese farmers harvest wheat in Rukum District April 19, 2004.  All of the people in this region have declared themselves Maoists and those who are not, have left the area. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami205.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami204.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 21, 2004:  Maoist insurgents walk through the mountains to a mobile training camp in Rukum district April 21, 2004.    Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many children and women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami202.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami201.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents play a board game in Rukum district April 22, 2004.The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami200.jpg
  • NEPALGANJ, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004: A Nepali girl,  who was orphaned because of the Maoist insurgency sleeps inside the Sahara orphanage in Nepalganj, Nepal April 14, 2004.   (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 20, 2004:  Maoist insurgents take a group of children for a cultural education program  in Rukum district April 20, 2004   Maoist rebels continue to abduct thousands of villagers for forcible indoctrination and military training.  The Maoists mainly target students, teachers and youths. The victims are usually released after a few days of indoctrination. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami186.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami181.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 24, 2004:  A child works in a tea stall in a small village in Rukum District April 24, 2004. Nepal is one of the poorest countries and most children are forced to be a part of the labor work force.  Ill-equipped security forces in politically unstable Nepal are unable to control  Maoist rebels, who continue to abduct thousands of villagers for forcible indoctrination and military training.  The Maoists mainly target students, teachers and youths. The victims are usually released after a few days of indoctrination, unless they actively resist the "training attempts," in which case the rebels torture or sometimes kill them. Maoist insurgents have capture most of the Western part of Nepal in their attempt to make it a Communist State. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami179.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 20, 2004:  Nepalese children stan in a government school yard in Rukum  district April 20, 2004. Ill-equipped security forces in politically unstable Nepal are unable to control  Maoist rebels, who continue to abduct thousands of villagers for forcible indoctrination and military training.  The Maoists mainly target students, teachers and youths. The victims are usually released after a few days of indoctrination, unless they actively resist the "training attempts," in which case the rebels torture or sometimes kill them. Maoist insurgents have capture most of the Western part of Nepal in their attempt to make it a Communist State. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami178.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 17, 2004:  A child sits insie a wheat mill in Rukum District April 17, 2004.  Many children are regulalry kidnapped by Maoists in order to eucate them about the movement. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami176.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 21, 2004:  Maoist insurgents take a break while walking through the mountains to a mobile training camp in Rukum district April 21, 2004.    Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many children and women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami173.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 17, 2004: A Nepalese child stands next to a wall where a notice is put up with dung announcing the release of kidnapped prisoners in Rukum District April 17, 2004. Maoists regularly kidnap people for cultural programs where they are educated about the movement.  Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami171.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 16, 2004:  Maoist teachers sits in a government school underneath posters of the Royal Nepalese family in Rukum District April 16, 2004. The Maoists intend to close the government schools and establish their own educational system. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami168.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 20, 2004:  A Maoist  insurgent holds a baby at a village in Rukum district April 20, 2004. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000  fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  Though the movement uses violence to acheive theri goals, many say that the positive effects in the areas that are dominated by them are that there is there is less abuse because people are not allowed to drink alcohol or have mulitple wives.  they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami165.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents play a board game in Rukum district April 22, 2004.The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami161.jpg
  • SOLAN DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 24, 2004: Royal Nepalese Army soldiers sit in a village in Solan  district April 24, 2004.The soldiers are fighting Maoist guerrillas who are trying to make Nepal a communist state. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami159.jpg
  • NEPALGANJ, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004: Nepali girls who were orphaned because of the Maoist insurgency hug eachother inside the Sahara orphanage in Nepalganj, Nepal April 14, 2004.   (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • NEPALGANJ, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004: Nepali girls who were orphaned because of the Maoist insurgency play inside the Sahara orphanage in Nepalganj, Nepal April 14, 2004.   (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami154.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Mutiram Poon, a rapist serving 3 years in a Maoist "open prison"    in Rukum District harvests wheat April 22, 2004. The prison was once a farm owned by a relative of the King but was taken over by Maoists. The Maoists believe that criminals can be reformed through labor and cannot be be corrected confined within a jail with bars. They beleive that crime is a social evil and the main cause is a class system.   Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami152.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 24, 2004:  A Nepali woman carries a basket back to her village in Rukum District April 24 2004.  Most of this district that has no roads, cars, bicycles or any mode of tranport other than donkeys an mules is completely under the control of Maoists who require farmers to make donations for their efforts to create a Communist state. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core Maoist fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and people's courts. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers.  They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • SALYAN DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 23, 2004: An Army hospital and barracks destroyed by Maoists two years ago in Bagchaur village in Salyan district sits empty April 23, 2004. Maoist insurgents have been looting banks, barracks, destroying health facilities, jails and torching government office buildings as they attempt to build their own autonomous state, to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami143.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents gather in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami139.jpg
  • KATHMANDU, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004: Nepali nurses look after Sunil Sharma, 9 years old, in a hospital in Nepalganj, Nepal who was injured in an explosion 10 days earlier by Maoist insurgents fighting government forces April 14, 2004.  Over two thousand children have been killed in the fighting which began in 1996.  (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami137.jpg
  • KATHMANDU, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004: Nepali nurses  and his mother look after Sunil Sharma, 9 years old, in a hospital in Nepalganj, Nepal who was injured in an explosion 10 days earlier by Maoist insurgents fighting government forces April 14, 2004.  Over two thousand children have been killed in the fighting which began in 1996.  (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami136.jpg
  • KATHMANDU, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004: Nepali nurses look after Sunil Sharma, 9 years old, in a hospital in Nepalganj, Nepal who was injured in an explosion 10 days earlier by Maoist insurgents fighting government forces April 14, 2004.   (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami135.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Radna Bahadur Rana, right, who murdered a relative works inside a mill in an "open prison"  established by Maoists who have created an autonomous state with their own judicial sysytem in a village in Rukum District April 22, 2004. The prison was once a farm owned by a relative of the King but was taken over by Maoists. The Maoists believe that criminals can be reformed through labor and cannot be be corrected confined within a jail with bars. They beleive that crime is a social evil and the main cause is a class system.   Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami134.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami130.jpg
  • KATHMANDU, NEPAL, APRIL 14, 2004:  The mother of Sunil Sharma, 9 years old, kisses him as he screams out in pain in a hospital in Nepalganj, Nepal. He was injured in an explosion 10 days earlier by Maoist insurgents fighting government forces April 14, 2004.   (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
    ami123.jpg
  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents meet in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  A battalion of Maoist insurgents gather in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL, APRIL 22, 2004:  Maoist insurgents celebrate in Rukum district April 22, 2004 weeks after their attack on government troops in Beni when they overran the district headquarters, looting a bank, destroying the jail and torching government office buildings. The government said that 32 security personnel died in the clash and 37 were kidnapped. The clash was one of the deadliest since 1996 when fighting began to topple the constitutional monarchy and install a communist republic. The guerrillas' strength is hard to gauge. Analysts and diplomats estimate there about 15,000-20,000 hard-core fighters, including many women, backed by 50,000 "militia".  In their remote strongholds, they collect taxes and have set up civil administrations, and "people's courts" to settle rows. They also raise money by taxing villagers and foreign trekkers. Though young, they are fearsome fighters and  specialise in night attacks and hit-and-run raids. They are tough in Nepal's rugged terrain, full of thick forests and deep ravines and the 150,000 government soldiers are not enough to combat this growing movement that models itself after the Shining Path of Peru. (Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • A Mauritanian makes his way on one of the few isolated roads in a country primarily made up of low-lying desert. During the recurrent droughts of the 1970s and 80s, many nomads were forced into the urban capital of Nouakchott. Now nearly half the population resides there. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Children who were forced to migrate from their home in Pargwal, India cool off  as a truck sprays water on them near Ahknoor in the Indian held state of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian and Pakistani troops continue to exchange heavy mortar, artillery and machine-gun fire along the line that divides Kashmir between them. India is pressing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to crack down on the flow of Muslim militants from Pakistan into Kashmir.
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  • KASHMIR,INDIA, JULY 27:  Kashmiri  women dig out weeds from Dal Lake to feed to their cattle in Srinagar, the Indian held summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir July 27, 2003.  Dal Lake is extremely polluted and has not gotten much attention because of the conflict between Inda and Pakistan.   Islamic guerrillas have been fighting for independence of the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir since 1989 but for the first time in 13 years.
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  • TRIMBAKESHWAR,INDIA, AUGUST 8:  A Hindu pilgrim poses at a shrine at Trimbakeshwar during the month long Kumbh Mela in in India, August 8, 2003. Kumbh Mela, a famous Hindu festival, is expected to bring  more than three million pilgrims and foreign tourists. (Photo by Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • Kashmiri's walk in the famous Moghul gardens in Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian held state of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the heightening tensions and increasing threat of a full fledged war along the border between Pakistan and India, people here try to enjoy the moment and beauty of this valley located at the base of the Himalayas. (Ami Vitale
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  • Tourists ride domesticated elephants in the pre dawn hours to catch a glimps of  wild rhinos, tigers, elephants and other animals in the Kazaringa National Park in Assam, India January 5, 2003/(Ami Vitale)
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  • Hundreds, perhaps thousands of villagers, forest rangers, police and wildlife experts attempt to drive a herd of elephants from a village on the outskirts of Tezpur, Assam in Eastern India December 22, 2003.  India and its sacred elephants are threatened by poaching, deforestation and encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result of the loss of land, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. During this drive, a baby elephant, only days old was seperating from his mother and faces probable death without her. He is now at a rescue center in Kaziranga. (Ami Vitale)
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  • Elephants roam inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 4, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. (Ami Vitale)
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  • Wildlife graze inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 6, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. (Ami Vitale)
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