To Study the Migration Route of Changpa Nomads of Ladakh

Abstract

The investigation was aimed at, studying the different migration route of Changpa Nomads of Ladakh. The study was conducted in Changthang region of Nyoma block, of Leh district of J&K state. During summers, nomadic family member or hired shepherds take their livestock (sheep, goat, horse, and yaks), to Spangchen pasture land for grazing area. In autumn, they move to Zara camps and when spring comes, they all move towards Yagyang. Kharnak receive heavy snowfall, during winters and pastures are totally covered with blankets of snow, due to which they migrate towards Dadh, Tsamartsay, as snowfall is less in these areas. Korzok nomadic family members move around the Tso Moriri Lake, in the early month of June in summers and at the end of summer season i.e., ending August they migrate to Korzok Phu, where they spend maximum one month. In the autumn season, they migrate towards Paldo, Tatsang Tso basin, and north to Korzok village, where they would stay one and a half month. During summer season the Angkung nomadic family migrates to Zukthe valley, where they enjoy lush green pasture & snowmelt stream water and they would stay there for around 3-4 months. In spring and autumn season, they migrate to Angkung and nearby areas, where they spend around two months. At the start of winter, they start migrating to Tamayara valley, where they spend entire winter season on the rangeland. Samad village, consisting of 40 households spend their summer grazing area in Skyangchuthang, in the west side of Tso-Kar basin. In spring season, they move to Norchen, Nyorchung for pasture land. At the end of summer, they move towards Ronchen, Ronchung, Chubsang, Zomolong, Togra and Zirgul, where they find good pasture rangeland and other natural basic amenities.

Keywords: Changthang, Changpa, Migration, Nomads