With elevations from 4,300-7,000 m, Changtang is a region to the west of Tibetan Plateau, popularly, called ‘Roof of the world’
Covering 700,000 sq. km, it is one of the world's last great wild landscapes of alpine steppe housing nomadic pastoralists known as Changpa
It has unpredictable harsh weather with short summers, thunderstorms all over the year, and cold, Arctic-like winters
Unlike other nomadic groups, Changpa faces no pressure from settled farmers, as their land is mostly unsuitable for farming
They follow specific migratory routes for short journeys, residing in Stone-walled corrals and sheltering tents each year
In summer, milk is converted to essentials like butter and cheese, while in early winter, animals are used as food for the harsh climate
Changpa engage in trade, exchanging meat, animals, salt, wool, and unprocessed cashmere for grain, cooking pots, and modern goods, a self-sustaining economic ecosystem
Changtang Plateau is the world's second-largest protected nature reserve, housing Tibetan dzigettai, Tibetan antelope, and wild yak