Leh, Jul 30 (KNO): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not undertaken any study to assess the impact of climate change, shrinking grazing pastures, changing snowfall patterns and declining livestock productivity on the livelihood and traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Changpa tribal community in Ladakh, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The information was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey in response to a question by Lok Sabha member Mohammad Haneefa, who sought details on the impact of climate change on the Changpa community, welfare schemes, special interventions, funds released for Changthang and measures to protect the community’s traditional livelihood and culture.
The ministry, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said Changpa families are eligible beneficiaries under various welfare and livelihood schemes, including PM-JANMAN, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), Eklavya Model Residential Schools, scholarships for ST students and the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission.
It said targeted interventions under DAJGUA include Mobile Medical Units, mobile network delivery, residential hostel facilities and pucca housing under PM-AWAS (Gramin). Livelihood and income enhancement support for Pashmina wool production, marketing linkages and value addition is also being provided through TRIFED.
On funding, the ministry said TRIFED has released ₹15 lakh under PMJVM for establishment of a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) at Durbuk. Funds sanctioned and released for Eklavya Model Residential Schools to the UT of Ladakh over the last five years stood at ₹10 lakh in 2021-22, ₹450 lakh in 2022-23, ₹800 lakh in 2023-24, ₹17.41 lakh in 2024-25 and ₹400 lakh in 2025-26.
The ministry further said TRIFED procured Pashmina products worth ₹1.88 crore from Ladakh-based artisans during the last five years, while an empanelment camp is proposed in the Changthang region in August 2026 to identify eligible Changpa artisans and facilitate their participation in marketing and procurement programmes—(KNO)