IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGES ON CHANGPA TRIBAL COMMUNITY IN LADAKH - 30th July 2026 - Ministry of Tribal Affairs - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary The Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed the Lok Sabha on July 30, 2026, that while no specific study has been conducted on climate change impacts for the Changpa tribe in Ladakh, the community is supported through several national welfare and livelihood schemes. Targeted interventions focus on infrastructure, education, and Pashmina wool production to build socio-economic resilience. A key upcoming action includes an artisan empanelment camp scheduled for August 2026 to enhance direct market participation.

Key Points / Main Content

Climate Change and Research

• The Ministry has not yet undertaken a formal study to assess the impact of climate change, shrinking grazing lands, or declining livestock productivity on the Changpa community’s nomadic lifestyle.

Welfare and Infrastructure Interventions

• Changpa families are beneficiaries of major schemes including PM-JANMAN, DAJGUA, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and various national scholarships.
• Under the DAJGUA initiative, the government provides remote habitations with Mobile Medical Units, mobile network delivery, residential hostels, and pucca housing via PM-AWAS (Gramin).
• Infrastructure and service saturation is being prioritized in Changthang habitations to strengthen long-term resilience.

Livelihood and Financial Support

• TRIFED supports the community through Pashmina wool production, value addition, and marketing linkages.
• An amount of ₹15 lakhs was released for the establishment of a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) in Durbuk under the PMJVM scheme.
• TRIFED has procured Pashmina products (shawls and stoles) worth approximately ₹1.88 crore from Ladakh-based artisans over the last five years.

Educational Funding (EMRS in Ladakh)

• Financial allocations for EMRSs have fluctuated over five years: ₹10 lakhs (2021-22), ₹450 lakhs (2022-23), ₹800 lakhs (2023-24), ₹17.41 lakhs (2024-25), and ₹400 lakhs (2025-26).

Cultural Preservation

• The Tribal Research Institute is tasked with the documentation and promotion of Changpa culture, language, and traditional knowledge.

Impact Analysis

Changpa Tribal Community Impact The community receives indirect economic benefits through the sourcing of raw Pashmina and direct support via housing, medical, and educational schemes. They are the primary targets for infrastructure development and cultural preservation efforts. Action Required Community members should engage with the Tribal Research Institute for cultural documentation and utilize the provided mobile medical and educational facilities.

Ladakh-based Artisans Impact Artisans benefit from direct procurement programmes which have provided significant revenue (over ₹1.88 crore) and improved marketing opportunities for traditional products. Action Required Eligible artisans must attend the empanelment camp in the Changthang region in August 2026 to facilitate their participation in future procurement and marketing initiatives.

TRIFED / Ministry of Tribal Affairs Impact These entities are responsible for the execution of socio-economic interventions, fund disbursement for EMRSs, and the logistics of the Pashmina value chain. Action Required The Ministry and TRIFED must organize the August 2026 empanelment camp and continue the saturation of basic services under PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.