Socioeconomic profile of sheep Rearers of Zanskar: High altitude cold arid region of district Kargil

Abstract

The survey was conducted to study the socio-economic profile of sheep rearers in 5 villages (Khashar, Pibiting, Razing, Tasha and Ufti) of Zanskar in Kargil district. This region is having cold arid high altitude climate. A total of 100 respondents were face to face interviewed through a pre-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that majority of respondents had (89%) joint type families. About (60%) families are medium sized (6-9 members). About (28%) respondents were having agriculture + livestock as primary occupation. whereas (26%) respondents were having agriculture +Sheep rearing as secondary occupation. The land holdings of respondents were marginal type (7.05±0.42 kanals/0.89 acre). Monthly income of 71% of respondents was in the range of Rs.11000-20000 with average of Rs.17451±1400.11). About 44% of sheep rearers were having age above 60 years with illiteracy rate of 21%. About (27%) of respondents had more than 20 years of sheep rearing experience. A very good numbers (91%) of women were involved for different sheep rearing activities. The respondents had average flock strength of sheep (12.47±0.11). Other animals reared by respondents along with sheep per household; goats (5.29±0.20 numbers) with a range of 1-5 goats in (78%) cases. Number of cattle per household were (2.51±0.05) with 0-2 cattle in (98%) cases. About 30 and 41 households were rearing yak and its hybrids (Zho, Zomo, Gurmo, Thalfo), respectively. Thus it can be concluded that government policies need to be reoriented with focus on commercial livestock farming for employment, nutritional and livelihood security of the residents of the Zanaskar.