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The high-altitude plains of Rupshu valley, Eastern Ladakh are home to the Changpas, a nomadic pastoralist tribe. For generations, they have lived in complete harmony with their land – a cold desert plateau with an average altitude of over 3700 metres, too inhospitable for farming and which remains under a thick blanket of snow for seven months a year. Their traditional pastoral system is centred around their livestock – the Changpas rear yaks, sheep and horses; and the famous ‘pashmina’ goats (whose soft wool is famous throughout the world). The ancestral way of life has been the key to the survival of the Changpas, who have used their indigenous knowledge system to optimize the use of rangeland vegetation in Rupshu valley, where the grazing of yaks, sheep, goats and horses is regulated through a well-planned migration in a land characterized by a fragile ecosystem.

Predominantly Buddhists, the Changpas have shreds of animism in their religious beliefs that can be traced back to their herding tradition : for a Changpa nomad, his sheep are intrinsically sacred creatures bestowed upon him by the gods of the valley.

Rupshu valley is home to a few brackish lakes and the most important among them are Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso. It was on the banks of Pangong Tso hat the Sino-Indian war of 1962 reached one of its fiercest climaxes and since remained a bone of contention between India and China. The ongoing dispute has posed a considerable threat to the fragile ecology of the area and consequently on the lives of the nomadic tribe. The increasing attractions of alternative livelihood, an influx of tourism in the area and some significant climate changes like unnaturally heavy snowfall resulting in deaths of livestock in recent years have further added to the threat for the sustainable future of the socio-economic and environmtal life of the Changpa
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A group of Changpa horsemen riding a race near lake Tso Moriri. The races are infrequent.Cold desertscape of Rupshu valley. It is too inhospitable for farming.Yaks are used by the Changpas as packing animals and as sources of milk, hide and meatA young Changpa with his herd. Families are allotted separate areas for livestock farming.Prayer flags on the banks of Pangong Tso.The turquoise waters of Tso Moriri at over 15,500 ft is considered holy by the Changpas.The village square of Korzok. It is now the summer home of the ChangpasA Changpa woman knitting pashmina with her backstrap loom in her tentMost of the Changpa children attend school. Literacy rate among them has increasedChangpa women in their traditional dress and headgear called perak. It is used in ceremonies and festivals.11.Predominantly Buddhists, the bead of prayers is a constant companion for most of the members of the tribe.Chaam, the  masked monk dance, in the courtyard of Korzok monastery at Rupshu valleyA monk and a Tibetan witch doctor praying together in Rupshu valleyA Changpa rider is being worn the kaata, the ceremonial silk scarf by a high monk.Three horsemen on the banks of Tso Moriri at nearly 16000 ft