As the rest of India welcomes the onset of summer, with rising temperatures and preparations for the sweltering months ahead, Ladakh remains locked in a starkly different reality. Here, winter’s grip lingers, with temperatures plunging to as low as -30°C to -40°C. The cold is not just an inconvenience; it is a matter of survival. For the Changpa nomadic community, whose livelihood depends on the delicate balance of climate and pasture, these extreme conditions threaten both their way of life and the very existence of their livestock.
The Changpas have long sustained themselves through the herding of Pashmina goats, renowned for producing the luxurious golden fiber that fuels a global industry. However, in recent years, climate change has disrupted the fragile ecosystem they depend on. Pasture degradation, erratic snowfall patterns, and increasing livestock mortality have pushed many Changpas to the brink. During harsh winters, young animals are particularly vulnerable – up to 90 percent of lambs may not survive infancy due to starvation and exposure. Heavy snowfall covers grazing areas, making food inaccessible, while extreme cold claims thousands of livestock each year. A few winters ago, the small Changpa tribe suffered an enormous loss of 24,000 animals, devastating their already fragile existence.
In response to these escalating threats, early warnings – taking early, strategic steps to mitigate disaster impacts before they unfold are critical. The approach is simple yet powerful: act before a crisis turns into a catastrophe. By closely monitoring weather patterns, engaging with communities, and setting up early warning triggers, we have been able to provide timely interventions such as feed distribution, shelter materials, and organise capacity-building workshops. These measures ensure that Changpa herders are not merely reacting to the onset of coldwaves but are prepared to withstand them with resilience.
This anticipatory action framework aligns with global efforts, such as the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), which emphasizes the need for coordinated early response mechanisms. It also resonates with this year’s World Meteorological Day theme – Closing the Early Warning Gap Together. As climate extremes intensify, the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to disasters must not be limited to a few well-equipped regions but should extend to every vulnerable community.
The voices of the Changpa people themselves underline the urgency of these interventions. Lundup Gyatso, a former herder who migrated to Kharnakling, recalls how five months of road blockages and feet-deep snow made it impossible to access food for livestock. While government support has improved fodder availability, he notes that compensation for livestock loss remains a challenge, requiring photographic evidence that is often difficult to obtain in remote locations.
Tundup Delek, a practising herder, speaks of the gaps in veterinary knowledge and the financial strain of hiring additional herders, with costs soaring to ₹30,000 per month. The need for more powerful shelter solutions and fenced enclosures to protect livestock from predation remains an ongoing demand.
Beyond Ladakh, anticipatory action as a climate crisis response mechanism applies to a range of phenomena. In our earlier work in Bihar, we trained communities to keep track of rising river levels with low-cost measures which included putting up a pillar and painting it (from below) green, amber and red. During the floods as the water rose – the communities would be encouraged to evacuate to higher ground. In today’s context, the same principles apply to other climate extremes, including heatwaves, which are becoming increasingly frequent across India. Just as harsh winters threaten the Changpas, prolonged and intense heatwaves endanger urban populations, outdoor workers, and the most marginalized communities. Proactive planning, early warnings, and community-driven pre-listed anticipatory actions must become the norm rather than the exception.
The story of Ladakh is a reminder that climate resilience is not a distant goal – it is a necessity, and it begins with acting before disaster strikes. Our efforts in Changthang provide a model for how preparedness and early action can safeguard livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems from the ever-growing threats of climate change. However, such efforts cannot be the responsibility of a single organization or community alone. Building resilience requires an all-of-society approach – one that brings together governments, scientific institutions, humanitarian organizations, and local communities to pool their respective strengths.