“About 30 years ago it used to snow heavily in Spiti. It was greener and the grass was also good,” says Chhering Angdui, a herder and farmer in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
The 43-year-old lives in Langza, a village situated 14,500 ft above sea level and home to 158 people ( Census 2011 ). A majority of them are from the Bhot community listed as scheduled tribe in the state. Residents of the village are largely engaged in farming, livestock rearing and hospitality for tourists who visit Spiti.
In late July 2021, we met Chhering and a few herders in Langza tending to their livestock of cattle, sheep and goats. They spoke about having to travel greater distances just to find grass for their animals.
“Now it snows less here in the mountains. It doesn’t rain much here either so not much grass grows now,” Chhering says, “This is why we have to take the animals to further heights for grazing.”
Spiti lies in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh and is home to many high-altitude valleys of several rivers. The region has a cold desert-like environment which attracts tourists from the rest of India – especially during the hot summer months. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the Milky Way galaxy visible in the clear night skies up here.
The herder's story told in this film shows us how erratic snowing patterns have impacted the lives and livelihoods of Chhering and his fellow herdsmen.
“We [villagers] have been thinking that in the coming years something will happen and the bhed bakria [sheeps and goats] here will go extinct because we don’t have much grass left. Where will we get it from?” he asks, worry apparent across his face.
Langza village is situated at an altitude of 14,500 ft above sea level in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. There are about 32 households in the village and 91 per cent of the people here belong to the Bhot community, listed as scheduled tribe in the state
All livestock in the village are gathered together to leave with Chhering and others to graze in the mountains
Chhering’s daughter Tanzin Lucky sometimes travels with the animals. 'Lack of water causes the earth to dry and crack over time,' said Chhering
The village sheep, goats, cattle and donkeys moving towards high altitude areas in search of grazing grounds
Chhering Angdui and other herders waiting for all the animals to gather to take them for grazing to higher pastures
Animals from Langza village grazing in the high altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh
Animals returning to the village in the evening after grazing
Chhering Angdui is a farmer and has two cows and a donkey. He worries that livestock will go extinct in Spiti due to global warming
A glimpse of the Milky Way galaxy visible in the clear night skies
