INDEGINOUS KNOWLEDEGE OF CHANGPA TRIBE (NOMADS) ARE AT CROSS-ROAD

Kargaym belt of Changthang Ladakh

Changthang is a unique part of Ladakh. Its high altitude, extreme climate and remoteness render the region unsuitable for agriculture, which is otherwise Ladakhi’s predominant occupation. Pastoralism, practised in various forms, is the only form of livelihood here. It is eminently suited to the region; the extreme cold, exacerbated by strong winds that blow across wide valleys and the low precipitation make this region a natural habitat of the pashmina goat (whose soft wool, cashmere, is well known throughout the world), sheep and yak. The people who have made this land their home, the Changpas, have adjusted to the environment and successfully eked out an existence for thousands of years. The Changpas are a nomadic pastoral community who rear these animals they move from place to place across the Changthang, staying in yak wool tents (rebos). This group of people has braved the elements of the Changthang from time immemorial, the cold, the snow, the high altitude and the volatile weather. Time has also put them through a series of man- made tests: the movement of agricultural people from other areas into Ladakh, the Tibetan, Mongol and Dogra invasions, Indian independence, the 1962 war between India and China, modern communications, the Leh Manali road, the accent on 'development' and tourism. In this way their way of living (nomadism) has changed so far with affect of above mentioned circumstances. 

My only friend and co-traveller bajaj discover on 4500 mtr

Indigenous knowledge is the unique, traditional, local knowledge that people have of a particular geographic area. The development of indigenous knowledge systems has been a matter of survival for nomadic pastoralism's throughout Ladakh. Indigenous knowledge systems of nomads are cumulative, representing generations of experience herding livestock, careful observations, and trial and error experiments. This knowledge enabled nomads on the Changthang, for example, to develop sophisticated range-livestock management practises in an environment that posed considerable risk.

Nomads of Changthang raise native livestock that are adapted to local environmental and production constraints. For instance raising the yak, this is superbly adapted to the high altitude and the cold environment of the Changthang plateau. Despite this the native sheep and cashmere-producing goats are also important species of livestock. The multiple grazing system of combines yaks, sheep, goats and horses together and maximises the use of rangeland vegetation. Different animals also have varied uses and provide diversified products for domestic consumption or sale.

Livestock mobility and flexible use of rangeland were strategic elements of traditional Changpas (nomadic) Pastoralism and the keys to survival. The traditional nomadic pastoral systems that evolved used extensive grazing management strategies adapted to local environmental condition. Changpas (nomads) of Changthang did not move randomly across the rangeland, rather their movements were often well prescribed by complex social organisations and were highly regulated.

Nomads on the way to another camp

Environmental risks on the rangeland were mitigated through livestock and grazing management strategies. Livestock mobility, flexible use of rangelands and diverse herds were key elements of traditional pastoral production systems and contribution to the high ecological stability of the pastoral system. The nomads of Changthang are skilled, experienced, proficient, expert, able, adept and masterful; they are professional range managers, despite being illiterate.

Traditional livestock production and grazing management strategies throughout much of the pastoral areas of Changthang have been greatly altered in the recent decades as the nomadic pastoral way of life has been transformed to one more oriented toward a market economy. The increasing attractions of alternate livelihood, particularly tourism draw herding labour into other activities, and the users and management of Changpas livestock are consequently in flux.

There is a similarly narrow-minded view of the validity of traditional nomadic pastoral production practises and their life style. The purposeful movement of nomads’ herds is often perceived as wandering and an unsound type of use of the rangeland, instead of an efficient utilisation of forage. Nomads themselves are often perceived as backward and ignorant.

These views are not supported by research findings which suggest that nomads possess considerable indigenous knowledge and that many of the traditional nomadic pastoral strategies and practices are rational and ecologically and economically sound given the environmental and socio-economic constraints under which nomads operate. These findings suggest that fresh, objective assessments of nomads and nomadic pastoral systems in Changthang Ladakh need to be made before completely discarding them.

Nomad's boy standing in front of Rebo (tent)

The rationality of nomadic practices needs to be better acknowledged and nomads’ indigenous knowledge has to be incorporated into research and development programs. Paying attention to nomads’ indigenous knowledge can create more respect for traditional pastoral systems and foster partnership for resolving issues. Better acknowledgement of nomads’ knowledge system can help build a more sustainable future for the socio-economic and environmental life of nomads of Changthang Ladakh.