The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed Lok Sabha that 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.
Changpa families are eligible beneficiaries under various welfare and livelihood schemes implemented by the Ministry and other line Ministries/Departments during the last five years. These include Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), various scholarship programs for Scheduled Tribe students, and Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM).
Under DAJGUA, targeted interventions have been implemented for remote tribal habitations including Mobile Medical Units, mobile network delivery, residential hostel facilities, and pucca housing under PM-AWAS (Gramin). Additionally, livelihood and income-enhancement support for Pashmina wool production, marketing linkages, and value addition is being undertaken through TRIFED.
Under the PMJVM scheme, TRIFED has released ₹15 lakhs for establishment of the VDVK, Durbuk. The Ministry provided detailed funding for EMRSs to the Union Territory of Ladakh over the past five financial years: ₹10.00 lakhs (2021-22), ₹450.00 lakhs (2022-23), ₹800.00 lakhs (2023-24), ₹17.41 lakhs (2024-25), and ₹400.00 lakhs (2025-26), totaling ₹1,677.41 lakhs.
To strengthen long-term socio-economic resilience and preserve traditional culture and livelihood, several measures are being implemented including saturation of basic infrastructure and services in Changthang habitations under PM-JANMAN/DAJGUA. TRIFED has procured Pashmina products (Shawls and Stoles) worth ₹18,847,291 from Ladakh-based artisans over the last five years, indirectly contributing to the livelihood and economic well-being of Changpa pastoralists as the raw Pashmina is sourced from their community.
An empanelment camp is proposed to be organized in the Changthang region in August 2026 to identify and empanel eligible artisans from the Changpa Tribal Community, facilitating their direct participation in marketing and procurement programs. Additional initiatives include documentation and promotion of Changpa culture, language, and traditional knowledge through tribal research institutes.