Livelihoods Lost: Hundreds of Tibetan nomadic families in Ladakh’s Jangthang region are struggling to survive after a deadly snowstorm killed their animals. Donate now to help them rebuild their lives and preserve their unique culture.
BY PC Bureau
April 7, 2025 – The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal following a devastating snowstorm that has ravaged the livelihoods of Tibetan nomadic families in the Jangthang region of Ladakh, near the sensitive Indo-Tibetan border. The extreme weather event has reportedly killed thousands of livestock, the very foundation of the community’s survival and cultural heritage, leaving hundreds of families facing a dire situation.
The Jangthang region, a remote and high-altitude area in Ladakh, is home to a significant population of Tibetan nomads spread across nine scattered communities. These pastoral families lead a traditional nomadic lifestyle, their existence intrinsically linked to their herds of sheep, goats, yaks, and dri (female yaks). These animals provide essential resources such as wool, dairy products, and sustenance, forming the backbone of their economy and cultural identity.
🚨 URGENT: Tibetan Nomadic Families in Ladakh Need Your Help!
A catastrophic snowstorm has devastated the Jangthang region of #Ladakh, killing 4,140 livestock and leaving 240+ #Tibetan families struggling to survive.
🔗 Source: Central Tibetan Administration pic.twitter.com/TadQ9htWFE
— Yarloong (@yarloong) April 4, 2025
The Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC), an agency under the CTA’s Department of Home, released a statement detailing the catastrophic impact of the recent snowstorm. According to the CTRC, approximately 4,140 livestock have perished, directly affecting over 240 families.
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“This loss is not just a number—it is a severe blow to their livelihood, culture, and way of life,” stated Tsering Youdon, Acting Secretary of the CTRC, in an appeal issued on April 4, 2025, and published on tibet.net, the CTA’s official portal. “Living in one of the most inhospitable environments, these families now face immense hardship. The loss of livestock has stripped them of their primary income sources and drastically reduced their daily sustenance, threatening their immediate health, safety, and the continuity of their traditional way of life.”
The Sonamling Tibetan Settlement, the administrative body overseeing the Jangthang area, has reported widespread devastation. The already challenging living conditions and frigid temperatures typical of the region have been compounded by the loss of the nomads’ sole means of survival. The CTRC highlights the increasing vulnerability of these high-altitude communities to unpredictable weather patterns, potentially exacerbated by global climate change.
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In response to this crisis, the CTRC has launched a global crowdfunding campaign to provide immediate relief and long-term support to the affected families. The CTA is calling on Tibetans in exile and supporters worldwide to extend their solidarity by making donations through their local Tibetan settlement offices or the nearest Office of Tibet for those residing outside India.
Furthermore, the CTA is urging individuals to amplify the appeal by sharing information across social media platforms and within their community networks. “This appeal is more than a request for donations; it is a plea for compassion and solidarity with a community in dire need,” emphasized Ms. Youdon. “These families have endured the brutal forces of nature and now look to the kindness of people like you to help them rebuild their lives.”
The crisis underscores the precarious existence of Tibetan nomads in the Jangthang region, whose unique way of life is deeply intertwined with their livestock. As the CTA mobilizes global support, the hope is that swift action and collective generosity can provide a vital lifeline to those facing an uncertain future in the wake of this devastating snowstorm.
For more information or to contribute to the relief efforts, individuals can contact north@tibet.net or visit www.centraltibetanreliefcommittee.net.
