About 

• The Changpa are a semi-nomadic Tibetan community primarily residing in the Changthang Plateau of southeastern Ladakh, India. 

• Traditionally, the Changpa are pastoralists, herding yaks, sheep, and the renowned Changra goats. 
  • These goats produce the exquisite Pashmina (Cashmere) wool, a vital economic resource for the community. 
• They follow a transhumant lifestyle where their migratory patterns are dictated by the seasons, moving between higher altitudes in summer and lower elevations during winter to access optimal grazing grounds. 
• During their migrations, they live in Rebos, traditional yak-hair tents designed to withstand the region’s extreme weather conditions. 
• The Changpa practice Tibetan Buddhism, which deeply influences their cultural and spiritual practices. They speak Changskhat, a dialect of Tibetan, preserving their linguistic heritage. 

Challenges

• The changing climate in Ladakh poses threats to the livestock besides making living conditions harsher.
• Climate change reduces water availability and quality pasture for their livestock, affecting their health.
• Additionally, geopolitical tensions and modern infrastructure development have led to restricted access to traditional migratory routes and pastures, threatening their nomadic traditions.