At an altitude of about 14600 feet above sea level one may see smoke coming out from makeshift tents far away from the road. Or there would be caravans of people along with their yaks, pashmina goats and other belongings for setting up makeshift shelters. They are the Changpas, the nomads of the Changthang plateau in Ladakh. In recent times, Leh in Ladakh has become a popular tourist destination but Changthang has remained outside the tourist map. Because of its raggedness and harsh weather most areas remain under snow for 8 to 9 months in a year. As scope of agriculture is almost nil, life of Changpas is centred on livestock. Rearing of animals, consuming and selling milk, hair, and meat are the main sources of livelihood. They produce the famous pashmina wool which is another principal source of income. They keep moving over the mountainous paths in constant search of pastures for their livestock and habitat. Unlike other nomadic pastoralists, Changpas do not move from one climatic region to another; They do not for instance 'migrate' in the winter months to warmer climates. Rather they move short distances within the same zone. Their movement from one place to other is so rigid that the caravan does not stop even in the case of death of their animals or their family members.
Today there is government aid and exposure to the modern life at Leh. Though the tribe at large still leads a nomadic life, the younger generation has transformed a lot under such influence. No doubt, the absence of health care and medical services is glaring. Education too is poor. They go to the Government aided schools or to high schools at Leh. With the introduction of motorable roads the life of the Changpas has changed a lot. Now they have vehicles to transport wool and milk. They can now avail medical aids from the military camps nearby and in some cases avail the hospitalisation facilities at Leh. The younger generation prefers the enlightened life as in Leh. Some of them even opt for jobs in different provinces of India. Rituals and traditions of the Changpas are under threat and is vanishing with the introduction of modern amenities. Young members of the tribe have lost interest in the culture that came from the tradition handed down over hundreds of years.
Today there is government aid and exposure to the modern life at Leh. Though the tribe at large still leads a nomadic life, the younger generation has transformed a lot under such influence. No doubt, the absence of health care and medical services is glaring. Education too is poor. They go to the Government aided schools or to high schools at Leh. With the introduction of motorable roads the life of the Changpas has changed a lot. Now they have vehicles to transport wool and milk. They can now avail medical aids from the military camps nearby and in some cases avail the hospitalisation facilities at Leh. The younger generation prefers the enlightened life as in Leh. Some of them even opt for jobs in different provinces of India. Rituals and traditions of the Changpas are under threat and is vanishing with the introduction of modern amenities. Young members of the tribe have lost interest in the culture that came from the tradition handed down over hundreds of years.
