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To Study the Migration Route of Changpa Nomads of Ladakh
Authors: Tashi Dolkar, F. D. Sheikh & Hummara Azim
Number of views: 393
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.