With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statement:
1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield fine wool.
3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Changpa community is not found primarily in Uttarakhand. They are mainly concentrated in the Changtang region, a high-altitude plateau that stretches across parts of Ladakh (India) and the Tibet Autonomous Region (China). Statement 2 is correct: The Changpa are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are well-known for rearing Changthangi goats, a special breed known for their fine wool, also called Pashmina. This wool is prized for its warmth, softness, and luxury. Statement 3 is correct: The Changpa community is indeed recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India. This classification provides them with certain social and legal protections under the Indian Constitution. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.