The Changthang region in Ladakh is renowned for its high-altitude rangelands characterised by a severe climate, strong winds, and minimal precipitation. These challenging environmental conditions make it unsuitable for agricultural activities but provide sustenance to pastoral livelihoods. The area boasts rich biodiversity and serves as the cherished homeland of the Changpa community. However, the socio-economic landscape of the Changpas is constantly evolving due to external factors such as increased opportunities, development, and tourism. These changes have a profound impact on the community's perceptions and interactions with the rangelands.

Within the Changpa community, both men and women rely on and engage with the rangelands in different ways, resulting in varying perspectives and experiences about the ongoing transformations. This study aims to explore the viewpoints and aspirations of Changpa women concerning the rangelands and the challenges they encounter in the face of these changes. Additionally, the research seeks to comprehend the gender dynamics within the community, including the division of roles and responsibilities.

This study utilizes a cross-sectional approach to select the respondents and key informants from different backgrounds. Women across age groups, occupations, and economic groups were identified as primary respondents, men being the secondary respondents. To collect the data, 63 structured interviews and 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted using interview guides and questionnaires. To learn more about public perceptions, governance, grazing routes, traditions, and the policy landscape, interactions with the Ama Tsogpa (women's council), Goba (village headsman- lambardar/nambardar), Sarpanch, and Changpa women representatives were held.

The key findings of the study highlight the roles and responsibilities of Changpa women that encompasses domestic work, herding, and their significant role in culture preservation and knowledge transmission of the traditional handloom art. It also brings out the challenges faced by the community and the evolving landscape, the dynamics of grazing practices, and the gap in intergeneration knowledge transmission due to changing aspirations of the youth. The report also identifies problems brought on by changing weather, poor healthcare access, livestock predator threats, economic changes, patriarchal attitudes, and shifting resource growth patterns. Despite the difficulties, the Changpa community nevertheless feels a strong bond with nature and a strong feeling of community. They express worry about the future of the rangelands and rely on a higher power to protect their well-being. They rely on traditional practices to maintain environmental equilibrium.