Changthang: The Highest Wildlife Reserve

Dr. Basharat Ali & Dr. Mohd Hussain

Dr. Basharat Ali, Assistant Professor department of Zoology, University of Ladakh

Dr. Mohd Hussain, Dean Sciences, University of Ladakh.

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, is a high-altitude protected area in eastern Ladakh, India. Situated on the Changthang plateau at over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, it is one of the most unique and elevated wildlife reserves in the world. Spanning 4,000 square kilometers, the sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife, including the Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang) and the rare Black-necked Crane. It also serves as the only known breeding site in India for the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) and Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus). The region’s breathtaking landscapes, extreme climate, and ecological significance make it a vital biodiversity hotspot (Chandan et al., 2008).

The indigenous Changpa people a nomadic tribe, have coexisted with the region’s fragile ecosystem for centuries and have practiced pastoralism in Changthang for over 3,000 years. They primarily rear Pashmina goats, producing the world-renowned Pashmina wool (Mishra et al., 2003). Due to the region’s altitude, a vast majority of local communities are engaged in pastoralism, especially nomadic pastoralism, while some communities do practice limited agriculture, which is considered to be some of the highest agricultural fields in the world. These activities have played a crucial role in shaping the ecological history of the region. Changpa herders rely on traditional knowledge to manage their livestock, ensuring sustainable grazing practices that do not deplete resources. However, modern challenges such as climate change and developmental pressures pose a threat to their way of life (Sharma et al., 2004).

Geography and climate

The Changthang plateau extends over 1,600 square kilometers from eastern Ladakh into Tibet. It is a cold desert with harsh climatic conditions, featuring freezing winters and short summers. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -40°C, while summer days reach around 25°C but experience significant drops at night (Fox et al., 1991). The terrain consists of vast plateaus, rolling grasslands, saline, fresh water lakes and rugged mountains. Prominent lakes such as Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Tso Kar provide essential breeding and resting sites for migratory birds (Kumar, 2021).

Biodiversity of Changthang

Despite the extreme climatic conditions, Changthang hosts a remarkable variety of wildlife, many of which are endangered or endemic to the Tibetan Plateau (Schaller, 1998). It is home to large carnivores such as the Snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Himalayan grey wolf (Canis lupus laniger) and Lynx (Lynx lynx isabellina). The region also supports six species of wild ungulates: Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni), Kiang (Equus hemionus), Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata), Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni), and Wild yak (Bos grunniens). Additionally, species such as the Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana), woolly hare (Lepus oiostolus), Tibetan snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus), and Chukar (Alectoris chukar) thrive in the region.

Among the significant species found in Changthang, the critically endangered Tibetan antelope (Chiru) (Pantholops hodgsonii) is hunted for its fine wool, ‘Shahtoosh’ (Mishra et al., 2003). The elusive snow leopard (Panthera uncia) finds refuge in the rocky cliffs, while the kiang (Equus kiang), the largest wild ass species, is known for its agility and adaptability to high-altitude conditions (Sharma et al., 2004; Bhatnagar, 2006; McCarthy et al., 2016). The Himalayan blue sheep (Bharal) (Pseudois nayaur) serves as a key prey species for the snow leopard (Fox et al., 1991). Other notable mammals include the lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus), the Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes montana), and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which is a formidable predator soaring over the barren landscapes (Schaller, 2000; Chandan et al., 2008).

The high-altitude wetlands and lakes of Changthang attract several migratory and resident birds. The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) breeds in the wetlands of Tso Moriri and Tso Kar, while the bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) is known for its ability to fly over the Himalayas during migration (Kumar, 2021). Other species include the Brahminy duck (Ruddy Shelduck) (Tadorna ferruginea), Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), and brown-headed gulls, which utilize the region’s lakes as breeding and resting grounds (Schaller, 2000; Fox et al., 1991; Mishra et al., 2003).

Changthang experiences long, harsh winters, restricting plant development to just four to five months each year. Prominent plant species include Artemisia shrubs, Caragana and Ephedra bushes, and grasses like Stipa and Poa etc. Alpine herbs and species such as Arnebia euchroma (Rattanjot), Rheum spiciforme (Himalayan Rhubarb), and Nepeta longibracteata also contribute to the biodiversity. These plants provide sustenance to the wild herbivores and livestock of the Changpa community, playing a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem’s delicate balance (Fox et al., 1991).

Conservation challenges and threats

Most of Changthang’s biodiversity is recognised as being globally and nationally threatened or endangered. The region faces added stress of anthropogenic use, primarily in the context of material poverty and lack of sustainable alternative livelihoods for local communities. Despite being a designated wildlife sanctuary, the region faces multiple conservation challenges as:

1. Climate change: Recent trends in rising temperatures are altering the habitat of high-altitude species, affecting their breeding patterns and food availability.
2. Human-wildlife conflict: Predators like the snow leopard and Tibetan wolf often prey on livestock, leading to retaliation by herders (McCarthy et al., 2016).
3. Illegal poaching and trade: The demand for Chiru’s Shahtoosh wool and other wildlife products continues to threaten species (Mishra et al., 2003).
4. Tourism pressure: The influx of tourists to Pangong Tso, Tsokar and Tso Moriri disrupts fragile ecosystems and affecting the breeding grounds of birds and other wildlife (Chandan et al., 2008).
5. Infrastructure development: Expanding roads, buildings and other developmental activities in Ladakh can fragment habitats and disturb wildlife corridors (Bhatnagar, 2006; Ali et al., 2023).

Conservation initiatives and future prospects

To mitigate these challenges, several conservation initiatives have been undertaken:

1. The Indian Government, by taking the initiative for the conservation of wildlife in the region, declared the Changthang area as the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
2. Indian government, in collaboration with NGOs, has strengthened patrolling and awareness campaigns to curb poaching (McCarthy et al., 2016).
3. Programs involving the Changpa community in conservation efforts, including compensation schemes for livestock predation, have shown promising results (Ali et al., 2023).
4. Efforts to regulate tourism, promote responsible travel, and minimize human impact are gaining attraction (Chandan et al., 2008).
5. Scientific studies on climate change impacts, biodiversity assessments, and wildlife tracking using modern technology based on AI & ML are needed.

References

1. Ali, M., Patil, K., & Atkulwar, A. (2023). Habitat survey of Equus kiang from Changthang wildlife sanctuary of Ladakh, India. Romanian Journal of Biology, 68(1/2), 77-84.
2. Bhatnagar, Y. V., Wangchuk, R., Prins, H. H., Van Wieren, S. E., & Mishra, C. (2006). Perceived conflicts between pastoralism and conservation of the kiang Equus kiang in the Ladakh Trans-Himalaya, India. Environmental Management, 38, 934-941.
3. Chandan, P., Gautam, P., & Chatterjee, A. (2008). Management planning of Himalayan high altitude wetlands. A case study of Tsomoriri and Tsokar Wetlands in Ladakh, India. Mountain Research and Development, 28(3/4), 242-247.
4. Fox, J. L., Sinha, S. P., & Chundawat, R. S. (1991). Status of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in northwest India. Biological Conservation, 55(3), 283-298.
5. Kumar, A. (2021). Status Survey of Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis in Ladakh, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 121(1), 77–90. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v121/i1/2021/147030

6. McCarthy, T. M., Fuller, T. K., & Munkhtsog, B. (2016). Movements and activities of snow leopards in Central Asia. Biological Conservation, 124(4):527-537
7. Mishra, C., Prins, H. H. T., & van Wieren, S. E. (2003). Diversity, risk mediation, and Change in a Trans-Himalayan Agropastoral System. Human Ecology, 31(4):595-609

1. Schaller, G. B. (2000). Wildlife of the Tibetan Steppe. University of Chicago Press.