In reply to C Witter:
I don't think my Balti friends, who are mountain guides, high altitude porters and also 'ordinary' people who just supplement their income with a bit of portering during the season, feel they are victims of "extreme exploitation of post-colonial populations". Apart from tourism, all they have to look forward to is subsistence living, growing and selling apricots. The extra money gives them a chance to give their kids a better education and, hopefully, a better future.
I assume when you talk of animals, you mean porters being used to carry loads? There are fairly strict rules governing how much weight per load and how much distance a porter can cover in a day. Abusing porters leads to strikes and worse; it's wise to keep them on your side.
It is disappointing that very few 'rich' westerners give Askole (or the Hushe Valley, for that matter), a second glance as they pass through. Luckily, there are some who take notice.