Changthang

Changthang simply meaning Northern Plateau in Tibetan, is a high altitude plateau western and northern Tibet and in eastern Ladakh, with vast highlands and giant lakes. From Eastern Ladakh Changthang stretches approximately 1600 km into Tibet. It is the home of the Changpa nomads.

Ladakhi Changthang, is on a historically an important route for travelers journeying from Central Ladakh to Lhasa. As in the rest of Ladakh, Changthang finds poised for a new era of socio-economical developments. Ladakh is one of regions the most exposed in India to international mass tourism. Centuries old cultural and social fabrics are now changing rapidly, influenced by consumerist and modern lifestyles. This is becoming the source both concern and hope for the populace of the region. Another major influence in the region is Tibetan settlement due to migration caused by the Chinese take over. It was first established in 1963 with total residents of almost 3000 but today has more than 7000 settlers. For administrative purpose, the Ladakh settlement is divided into two, Sonamling and Cangthang.

Changthang hamlets

Changthang hamlets were established when many Tibetan nomads mostly from the western Tibet fled and settle down in the adjoining places of Ladakh in the wake of Chinese aggression to Tibet. There are more than 3500 Tibetan refugees residing in Cangthang region who depend primarily on livestocks and agriculture being their secondary occupation for their livelihood. These nomads were organized into Tibetan Refugee settlement in year 1977 by the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala with help from Government of India and State Government at 9 different places such as Nyoma, Kagshung, Goyul, Hanley, Sumdho, Samedh, Karnag, Chushul and Churmur. These settlements are scattered across the high altitude plateau with average elevation of 4700 meters. The temperature in the region varies from -5 Celsius to -35 Celsius in winter and maximum of 30 Celsius in summer. Entire Jangthang areas are semi-arid desert land with scanty rainfall. There is very little vegetation growth in the whole region. Agriculture lands and pastures are confined only along the riverbanks. Average snowfall though less than 10 mm will be fatal to the livestock of nomad during the month of December, January and February. Sometimes, goats and sheeps cannot get access to the grass for grazing for period up to 15 days. This constitutes the most critical period for the nomads.

The education in ladakh is entirely looked after by the SOS Tibetan Children Village, which is one of non-profit institutions providing education to the Tibetan children. There is facility for crèche to 10th standard. Most of students are day school but there are also boarding facility for those students who are very poor and those students from nomadic camps in Jangthang. Almost all children get chance to go to school. The general education level of the children is fairly good. The settlements have one modern allopathic hospital and one Tibetan medical and Astro clinic.Italso has a bird sanctuary.