Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statements:
They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.
They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Changpa do not live mainly in Uttarakhand. They are a semi-nomadic pastoral community associated with the high-altitude Changthang region of eastern Ladakh. Changthang is a cold, arid and sparsely vegetated high plateau. The Changpa undertake seasonal movements according to the availability of pastures for their livestock.
Statement 2 is correct: The Changpa primarily rear the Changthangi or Pashmina goat. This goat is indigenous to the high-altitude regions of Ladakh and is adapted to the region’s extremely cold climatic conditions.
Beneath the coarse outer hair of the goat develops an exceptionally fine undercoat. Pashmina is obtained from this fine undercoat. According to government information, Ladakhi Pashmina fibre is approximately 12–15 microns thick, making it one of the finest and most valuable natural fibres in the world.
Pashmina rearing is not merely an animal-husbandry activity. It forms the basis of the Changpa community’s livelihood, seasonal migration and the pastoral economy of Changthang.
Statement 3 is correct: Changpa is included in the official list of Scheduled Tribes maintained by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Thus:
Principal region—Changthang, Ladakh
Principal livestock—Changthangi or Pashmina goat
Principal product—ultra-fine Pashmina fibre
Constitutional status—Scheduled Tribe