Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (or the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary) is a high-altitude wildlife sanctuary located in the Ladakhi adjunct of the Changthang plateau in the Changthang District of the union territory of Ladakh. It is important as one of the few places in India with a population of the Kiang or Tibetan Wild Ass, as well as the rare Black-necked Crane. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 4000 km .It is located in the Ladakhi Changthang plateau in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir. It covers an area of almost 1,600 sq. km and is home to the highest altitude water lakes, namely, Tso Moriri (which also happens to be the highest lake on earth), Pangong Tso and Tso Kar. The Changthang region is inhabited by nomadic pastoral communities, primarily the Changpa tribe, who lead a traditional way of life herding yaks, goats, and sheep across the vast grasslands. This region is steeped in Tibetan Buddhist culture and heritage. It includes one of the world's highest villages, Korzok Village, which attracts tourists to the Korzok Monastery. Fauna: Tibetan wolf, wild yak, bharal, brown bear and the mormot that seems to be present everywhere. Flora: It is home to almost 200 species of wild plants that grow in the higher pastures and are food for the animals inside the sanctuary.². (Wildlife Department Ladakh)