The Himalayas - Ladakh Himalayas - People

Ladakh himalayas

General Info

· Villages
· Valleys and plateaus
· Lakes
· Passes
· Glaciers
· Rivers

· People
    · Ladakhis
      · Livelihood
    · Shia Muslims of Kargil
      · Occupations
    · Gujjars
    · Brokpas
      · Tradition and Culture
      · Livelihood
    · Baltis
      · Livelihood
      · Religion, tradition, culture

Changpas
Livelihood
· Tradition and Culture

· Religion
· Fairs and festivals
· Other places of interest

The Himalayas - where earth meets sky

Changpas
The Changpas live on the desolate Changthang plateau in Ladakh, of which Rupshu is the highest inhabited part. The region has an extremely dry climate and living conditions are extremely difficult. The population density is very low.

Livelihood
Animal husbandry is the main source of income for the Changpas. Barley is raised over a limited area. Members of this community also collect salt from the impure deposits on the northern shore of the Tsokar Lake in Rupshu. This is sold all over Ladakh and in the past was sent even to the Kashmir Valley. The Changpas also engage in petty trade. They may also act as porters for the defence forces and various mountaineering expeditions.