Farming and Landownership in Zanskar Trans Himalayan Region, Ladakh: A Case Study of Mountainous Agricultural System in Geography

Abstract

Zanskar Trans Himalayan region as being most isolate and backwardness more of the community dependent on farming based livelihood. The farming is based on the local available resources in the region and is purely self-subsistence farming. Method of agricultural system inherits from old generation to new generation. This article is based on community observations, secondary and primary study investigation. Agricultural activities in this region are limited only for five months in a year i.e May to September. The area is having mixed kind of farming. The primary products of agriculture are used for local population and livestocks need. Use of modern fertilizers and technology are limited. The prime crops are barley, wheat, pea and vegetables. Agriculture is dependent on animals and viz a viz. landholding size in the area in small and agricultural activities carried in the limited available land i.e on alluvial fans. Farming in this region is 100 percent dependent on irrigation. At village level water resources management for irrigation is done through traditional way. Organic farming is mainly carried in the region.