Adapting to the High Mountains: A Socio-economic Study of Sheep Farming Communities in the High-altitude Cold Arid Region of Sankoo, Kargil District, Ladakh, India

Sheep can climb mountains easily and can bear the cold temperature of the place, and also contribute in multiple ways to help the rearer. A survey was conducted across seven villages in the Sankoo region of Kargil district—Achamaboor, Chooskore, Kargee, Kochick, Namsuru, Prentee, and Taisuru—to assess the socio-economic characteristics of sheep rearers. This particular area is characterised by a cold, arid, and high-altitude climate. A total of 140 individuals were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. The findings indicated that the vast majority (75.71%) of respondents lived in nuclear families, with most (75.71%) households being small, consisting of fewer than six members. While roughly a quarter (23.57%) of respondents identified agriculture as their primary livelihood, a notable proportion (31.42%) engaged in sheep farming as a secondary occupation. Landholdings among the respondents were typically marginal, averaging about 4.81 ± 0.16 kanals (0.60 acres). Over seventy per cent (74.28%) of those surveyed reported a monthly income between Rs. 11,000 and Rs. 20,000, with the average income being approximately Rs. 20,552.47 ± 1,236.08. Nearly half (44.28%) of the sheep rearers fell within the 21-40 age bracket, and 35.00% had completed middle school. Approximately a quarter (25.00%) of the respondents possessed 5-10 years of experience in sheep rearing. Significantly, women played a substantial role, with 91.00% actively participating in various sheep farming activities. The average flock size per household was relatively modest at 11.23 ± 0.10 sheep. Beyond sheep, other livestock were also commonly kept; 52.17% of households had goats, typically ranging from 1-5 animals (averaging 2.71 ± 0.19), and 70.00% owned 0-2 cattle (averaging 2.30 ± 0.43). In light of these findings, it is recommended that government policies be revised to emphasise commercial livestock farming, thereby enhancing employment opportunities, nutritional well-being, and overall livelihood security for the residents of the Sankoo region.