JoannaCostantino at 17:06, 2 May 2026

2026-05-02T17:06:11Z

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{{Short description|Proposed district in Ladakh, India}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Changthang district
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Ladakh|District]] of [[Ladakh]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{Flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|}}[[Ladakh]]
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ladakh]]
| seat_type = Headquarters
| parts_type = Administrative divisions
| leader_title = [[District magistrate (India)|District collector and magistrate]]
| leader_title1 = [[Superintendent of Police]]
}}

'''Changthang district''', with headquarter at [[Nyoma]], is one of the [[List_of_districts_of_Ladakh#List|district]] in the [[Union Territory]] of [[Ladakh]] in [[India]].<ref name=newd1>[https://ladakh.gov.in/historic-milestone-for-ladakh-five-new-districts-notified-in-ladakh-taking-total-districts-to-seven/ Historic milestone for Ladakh: Five new districts notified in Ladakh; taking total districts to seven], 27 Apr 2026.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-26 |title=MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mha-announces-five-new-districts-in-ladakh/articleshow/112797243.cms |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2024-08-26 |title=MHA announces five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/government-decides-to-create-five-new-districts-in-ladakh-says-amit-shah/article68567920.ece |access-date=2024-08-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== History ==

On 27th April 2026, 5 new districts were notified in the [[government gazette]] for boosting the service delivery and infrastructure, including Drass Changthang with 24 revenue villages which was carved out of western part of [[Kargil district]] , and Zanskar with 26 revenue villages.<ref name=newd1/> Earlier announced on 26th August 2024 as a new district was awaiting the formal notification for the creation.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Ladakh Gets 5 New Districts: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra And Changthang |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ladakh-gets-5-new-districts-zanskar-drass-sham-nubra-and-changthang-6419637 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> In January 2024, hundreds of people from various villages in the region took part in a peaceful protest march, demanding that Drass be recognized as a district.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 Jan 2024 |title=Residents seek district tag for Drass |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/residents-seek-district-tag-for-drass-581118/amp |access-date=26 Aug 2024 |work=Tribune India}}</ref>

==Geography==

Changthang district is part of the larger [[Changtang]] region (alternatively spelled '''Changthang''' or '''Qangtang''') in the high altitude [[Tibetan Plateau]]. Changtang region is spread across the western and northern [[Tibet]] extending into the southern edges of [[Xinjiang]] as well as Changthang district in southeastern Ladakh of in India.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Rizvi
| first = Janet
| title = Trans-Himalayan Caravans
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| year = 1999
| pages = 301
| isbn = 978-0-19-564855-3}}
</ref>

Changthang, also known as Eastern Flat Land, is the region where nomads reside, situated to the east of Leh near the Chinese border. The typical elevation of the region hovers at approximately 14600 meters above sea level.<ref name=rup2>{{Cite web |last=Kothari |first=Ashish |date=2023-11-13 |title=India's energy transition |url=https://www.meer.com/en/76901-indias-energy-transition |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Meer |language=en}}</ref><ref name=rup1>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-14 |title=Dhata Nomadic Festival celebrated in Changthang |url=https://www.voiceofladakh.in/2022/08/dhata-nomadic-festival-celebrated-in-changthang/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Voice of Ladakh |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Administration==

The Changthang district is include [[Nyoma]] and [[Durbuk]] subdivisions.<ref>[https://indusdispatch.in/grand-celebrations-held-to-mark-changthang-district-formation/ Grand celebrations held to mark Changthang District Formation], Indus Dispatch, 6 September 2024.</ref> The [[Demchok, Ladakh|Demchok]], [[Hanle_(village)|Hanle]], [[Ukdungle]], [[Chushul]], [[Tangtse]], and [[Chumar]] sector are important habitations.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; font-size:smaller; text-align:center;"
! colspan="5" |<big>Sub–divisions, Blocks and Villages in Changthang district</big>
|-
! scope="col" ! | Current district
! scope="col" ! | Former district
! scope="col" ! | Sub-Division
! scope="col" ! | Blocks
! scope="col" ! | Villages
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[Changthang district]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Leh district]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Nyoma]]

| [[Nyoma]] || [[Anlay]], [[Demchok, Ladakh|Demjok]], [[Koyul]], [[Mood, Leh district|Mood]], [[Nyoma]]
|-
|[[Rong valley|Rong]]-Chumathang
|[[Chumathang]], [[Himya]], [[Kerey]], [[Kumgyam]], [[Liktse]], [[Skitmang]], [[Tarchit]], [[Teri, Leh district|Teri]], [[Tukla, Leh district|Tukla]]
|-
|[[Rupshu|Rupsho]]-[[Puga valley|Puga]]
|[[Karzok]], [[Kharnak]], [[Samad Rakchan]]

|-
| [[Durbok|Durbuk]]

|[[Durbok|Durbuk]]
| [[Chushul]], [[Durbok|Durbuk]], [[Kargyam]], [[Man Pangong]], [[Shachukul]], [[Tangtse]]

|-
!Total
!1
!2
!4
!24
|}

== Tourism ==
[[File:Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|[[Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary]] in Changthang.]]

===Cultural tourism===
[[File:Changpas nomadic people - Changtang - Tibet.jpg|thumb|262x262px|[[Changpa]] nomadic people of Changthang.]]

The most remarkable characteristic of this Lake region is the Nomadic people who herd goats and yaks.<ref name=bud1/> The Changtang is home to the [[Changpa]], a [[nomad]]ic pastoralists [[Tibetan people]].<ref>Namgail, T., Bhatnagar, Y.V., Mishra, C. & Bagchi, S. (2007) Pastoral nomads of the Indian Changthang: production system, land use and socioeconomic changes. Human Ecology 35, 497–504.</ref><ref>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ladakhs-new-districts-announced-full-details-inside/sham-valley/slideshow/112808917.cms Ladakh's new districts announced: Full details inside], The Economic Times, 26 August 2024.</ref>

===Religious tourism===

The 19th-century [[Korzok Monastery]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], contains statues of [[Shakyamuni]] [[Buddha]] and other deities.<ref name=bud1/>

===Eco tourism===
[[File:Equus hemonius kiang.jpg|thumbnail|Wild [[kiang]] near Tso Kar Lake.]]

[[Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary]], wild animals, lakes, and rare birds are the primary draw of this region.<ref name=rup2/><ref name=rup1/>

=== Kailash range ===

[[Kailash Range]] lakes are [[Pangong Tso]] and [[Spanggur Tso]].

==== Pangong lake ====

[[Pangong Lake]] stretches for 40 miles and is approximately 2 to 4 miles wide, situated at an elevation of 4267 m above sea level. India occupies one-third of the lake, with the rest falling under China's territory. The lake's most notable feature is its water color, which is a vibrant deep blue in the evening and becomes light blue in the morning, catching the eye at first sight. The lake water is not as salty as ocean water, but it is as cold as ice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Nootan |date=2023-02-18 |title=Pangong Tso will be the highest frozen lake marathon. Aim is Guinness, climate consciousness |url=https://theprint.in/feature/pangong-tso-will-be-the-highest-frozen-lake-marathon-aim-is-guinness-climate-consciousness/1380053/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

==== Spanggur Tso====

[[Spanggur Tso]] lies adjacent to Pangong Lake.

===Rupsho valley ===
{{anchor | Rupsho }}

[[Rupshu|Rupshu]] area has several [[soda lake]]s inside the [[Salt Valley]],<ref name=rup2/><ref name=rup1/> which are also recognised as [[Ramsar site]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ladakh's Tso Kar wetland complex added to list of Ramsar sites |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ladakhs-tso-kar-wetland-complex-added-to-list-of-ramsar-sites/articleshow/79949608.cms|access-date=2020-12-27|website=The Times of India|date=25 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

* [[More plains]] pool
** Tso Kar
** [[Startsapuk Tso]]

* [[Salt Valley]]
** [[Kyago Tso]] (Kyagar Tso)
** [[Tso Moriri]]

* Other lakes in Changthang
** [[Ryul Tso|Chilling Tso]]
** [[Ryul Tso]]

==== Tso Moriri lake ====

Located in the Rupshu|Rupshu Valley, the [[Tso Moriri]] lake is a stunning body of water surrounded by mountains and situated approximately 240 kilometers from Leh. The Lake sits at an altitude of 14,000 ft close to the tiny village of [[Karzok]].<ref name=bud1/>

====Tso Kar====

[[Tso Kar]] (also known as the salt lake), another gorgeous Lake, is situated approximately 76 kilometers away from Tso Moriri.<ref name=bud1>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Gul Panag explores Ladakh's Tso Moriri: Know more about the place |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/destination-of-the-week/gul-panag-ladakh-tso-moriri-about-the-place-8028076/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ladakh Monastery & Villages |url=https://theincredibleladakh.com/ladakh-monastery-and-lake-tour.htm |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=theincredibleladakh.com}}</ref> Tso Kar Lake, also referred to as the 'White Lake,' is located in the Rupshu Plateau and valley in the southern region of Ladakh. Wetlands and lush green meadows are all around it. The water in the lake is slightly salty. There are wide range of birds. A significant quantity of grebes and brown-headed gulls, as well as a few strip geese, rust geese, and terns, can be observed. Tso Kar Lake supports various other animals like Kiang, Tibetan gazelles, Tibetan wolves. The tent-dwelling Samad-Rokchen nomadic group resides around the lake. Thugjay village serves as the central hub of this nomadic community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ladakh's Tso Kar Wetland Complex added to list of Ramsar site |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/ladakhs-tso-kar-wetland-complex-added-to-list-of-ramsar-site20201224170711/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

===Scientific tourism===
{{anchor | Scientific }}

====Hanle observatory====
{{anchor | IAO}}
[[File:Hanle observatory.jpg|thumb|350x350px|Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle.]]

[[Indian Astronomical Observatory]] (IAO), a high-altitude astronomy station in Hanle in [[Western Himalayas]], is operated by the [[Indian Institute of Astrophysics]] at an elevation of {{Convert|4500|m|ft}} as [[List of highest astronomical observatories|world's tenth-highest optical telescope]] sites for [[optical telescope|optical]], [[infrared telescope|infrared]], and [[gamma-ray telescope]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle |url=https://www.iiap.res.in/?q=iao_about |website=Indian Institute of Astrophysics |access-date=13 November 2022 |date=20 November 2020}}</ref>

====ISRO space station====
{{anchor | ISRO}}

[[ISRO]]'s [[Tso_Kar#ISRO|Human Outer Planet Exploration]] (HOPE) station at Tso Kar for [[Indian Human Spaceflight Programme|India’s human space exploration]] mimics conditions on the Moon and Mars and aimed at carrying out ''"research for future crewed interplanetary journeys"'', and acts as testing grounds for relevant technologies, help advance technology readiness levels (TRL) and engineering integration, and facilitate human studies, crew training and research around geological, geomorphological, habitability, and life detection. There are 33 such stations across the world. In August 2025, India began its first ever space simulation at this station in which 2 crew in space suit stayed inside the station for the further research and development.<ref name=hope1>[https://theprint.in/science/mars-in-ladakh-2-scientists-enter-space-bubble-to-test-human-endurance-for-interplanetary-missions/2710366/ ‘Mars’ in Ladakh—2 scientists enter space bubble to test human endurance for interplanetary missions], The Print, 1 Aug 2025.</ref>

==Climate==

The summers are warm but short and thunderstorms can occur at any time of year, often accompanied with hail. Meanwhile, the winters are cold and [[Arctic]]-like despite the latitude, primarily due to the high elevation.<ref name =mel.p44>{{cite book
| last = Goldstein
| first = Melvyn
|author2=Cynthia Beal
| title = Nomads of Western Tibet
| publisher = University of California Press
| year = 1990
| location = Berkeley, CA, UwSA
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/nomadsofwesternt0000gold/page/n46 44]
| url = https://archive.org/details/nomadsofwesternt0000gold
| url-access = limited
| isbn = 978-0-520-07211-4}}</ref>

== Transport ==
{{see also | India-China Border Roads | Tourism in Ladakh#Roads | l2= Tourist roads in Ladakh }}

[[Nyoma]] Airstrip and [[Fukche]] Airstrip in the east are two military airstrips in the district.

{{anchor | HKTR}}
Hanle-Kaza-Tabo Road is being constructed by the [[Border Roads Organisation|BRO]] under the [[Indo-China Border Roads]] (ICBR) scheme. This road connects to and partially overlaps with the 125 km long [[Kiato-Karzok Road]], from Kiato (near [[Kaza, Himachal Pradesh|Kaza]] in [[Lahaul_and_Spiti_district#Physical|Spiti Valley]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]]) through the [[Takling La]] Tunnel (5575 m) to [[Karzok]] (on shores of [[Tso Moriri]]), being constructed by the [[Border Roads Organisation|BRO]] as [[Tourism_in_Ladakh#Roads|fourth alternative route to Ladakh]].<ref name=kart1>{{Cite web
| url = https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/kyato-korzok-road-will-connect-himachal-to-ladakh-army-will-have-easy-access-to-china-border-2025-04-21?pageId=1
| title = Kyato-Korzok road will connect Himachal to Ladakh, army will have easy access to China border
| last =
| first =
| website = Amar Ujala
| date = 2025-04-21
| accessdate = 2025-04-22
}}</ref>

{{anchor | HZIR}}
Hanle-Zursar-Imis La Road was completed by December 2023.<ref name=luk1>[https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2023/08/year-end-deadline-set-for-bro-to.html YEAR-END DEADLINE SET FOR BRO TO COMPLETE 20 ROADS ALONG LAC AS STANDOFF WITH CHINA LOOKS INCREASINGLY IRREVERSIBLE], INDIAN DEFENCE NEWS, AUGUST 03, 2023.</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of districts of Ladakh]]
* [[Geography of Ladakh]]
* [[Tourism in Ladakh]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|India}}

[[Category:Districts of Ladakh]]

Changthang district - Revision history

JoannaCostantino at 17:06, 2 May 2026