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Changthang simply meaning Northern Plateau in Tibetan, is a high altitude plateau in western and northern Tibet extending into South Eastern Ladakh,1 with vast highlands and giant lakes. From Eastern Ladakh Changthang stretches approximately 1600 km east into Tibet. It is the home of the Changpa nomads.
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Only a small part of Changthang crosses the border into Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is, however, on a historically an important route for travellers journeying from Central Ladakh to Lhasa. As in the rest of Ladakh, Changthang has been experiencing many socio-economical developments since the late Twentieth Century. 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 Changthang.
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 Changthang region who depend primarily on livestock, with agriculture being their secondary occupation. 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. Large areas of Changthang are semi-arid, with very little vegetation growth in the whole region. Agriculture lands and pastures are confined only along the riverbanks.citation needed 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 sheep 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, one of the 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. Almost all children get chance to go to school and the general education level of the children is fairly good. The settlements have one modern allopathic hospital and one Tibetan medical and Astro clinic. It also has a bird sanctuary.
The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (or the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary) is a high altitude wildlife sanctuary located in the Ladakhi adjunct of the Changthang plateau in Leh District, Jammu and Kashmir. It is important as one of the few places in India with a population of the Kiang or Tibetan Wild Ass, as well as the rare Black-necked Crane.
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