2. CHANGTHANG IS A PLATUE IN THE LADAKH
RANGE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR. THIS PLACE
IS ALMOST AT THE HEIGHT OF 5000MTS. IT IS A
ROCKY PLAIN.

4. A unique geographical position has made Ladakh very
distinct. The area constitutes the eastern most Trans -
Himalayan part of Jammu and Kashmir. Truly described as
cold-arid desert, this area receives a total precipitation of 80
mm per year. The summer temperature may rise to 30oC
while the winter temperature may go down to –40oC.
Intensive sunlight, high evaporation rate, strong winds and
fluctuating temperatures characterize the general climate. It
is generally said that a man sitting in the sun with his feet in
the shade can have sunstroke and frostbite at the same time.
There are extremes of heat and cold. With sparse vegetation,
there is little moisture in the atmosphere. Rains are very rare,
though it may even snow during July – August, the hottest
months. Because of high mountains all around, the area has
remained isolated. All these factors have influenced the
vegetation cover which is only five percent, comprising
herbs, shrubs and xerophytes.

5. Changthang means Eastern Flat Land; it is the land of
nomads located in the east of Leh on the Chinese border.
The average altitude of the area is around 14600m above
sea level. This area is also known as Rupsho valley. The
main attraction of this area is Changpa nomads, wild
animals, lakes and rare birds.
Korzok Monastery Tsomoriri Lake

6. Changpas are the nomadic tribes of Changthang plateau in Ladakh range
of Jammu and Kashmir. Their main source of income comes from animal
husbandry. Changpas also engage in petty trade. Barley is cultivated by
these tribes. They collect salt from the northern shore of the Tsokar Lake
in Rupshu and sell it in Ladakh. They live in tents made from the hair of
yaks and goats. These tribes believe in local deities and some of them
have converted into Buddhism.

7. Changpas call their tent REBO

8. A REBOisbigandconeshaped.
Yakhairiswoveninstripsandstitchedtogetherto makea rebo.
Thesearestrongandwarm.
A rebois heldup by twowoodenpolesinthe middle.
Tthereisopeningto letoutthesmokeof chullah.

9. Animals are their only treasure.
They get milk, meat skin for tents and wool for coats.
The Changpas graze their goats at higher and colder
places so that the goats have more and softer hairs.
They carry their belongings on horses and goats.
They keep their sheep and goats in a ‘LEKHA’.
The walls of the lekha are made of stones.

11. Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it.
The name comes from Pashmineh, made from Persian pashm ("wool").The
wool comes from changthangi or pashmina goat, which is a special breed of
goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayas. Pashmina shawls are hand
spun, woven and embroidered in Kashmir, and made from fine cashmere fibre. .
In 2007, according to official records, the number of pashmina goats kept by the
Ladakhi Changpa was about 170,590; they also reared 52,549 sheep.
Weavers make the shawls by their hands as the fine hairs cannot be woven by
machines.This is a long and difficult process. After weaving for 250 hours one
plain pashmina shawl is made.