Kargyak (also Kargiakh, Kurgiakh) is a small village in the Lungnak valley in Zanskar tehsil, Kargil district, Ladakh, India. The village is situated on the right bank of the Kargiakh Chu (river) about 77 km (48 mi) south of Padum on the Padum-Darcha highway (NPD road). The economy is largely agrarian and the main religion is Buddhism.
Kargyak
Kargiakh | |
|---|---|
village | |
 Kargyak from the south | |
  Kargyak | |
| Coordinates: 33°03′49″N 77°13′36″E / 33.0636558°N 77.2268041°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Ladakh |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.764 km2 (0.681 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 4,120 m (13,520 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 429 |
| • Density | 240/km2 (630/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Website | https://kargil.nic.in/ |
Description
editKargyak (elevation 4,120 m (13,520 ft)[1]) is a small village in the Lungnak valley on the right bank of the Kargiakh Chu (river). It is located at a distance of 77 km (48 mi) from Padum on the Padum-Darcha road.[2] The distance from Darcha in Lahaul is 63.5 km (39.5 mi), the road climbing over the 5,091 m (16,703 ft) Shinko La pass. Kargyak village has an area of 176.40 hectares (435.9 acres).[3]: 80
Demographics
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As per the 2011 Census, Kargyak had 74 households with a population of 429. Females comprised 49.4% of the population. The literacy rate was 40.6%. 98.8% of the population belonged to scheduled tribes.[3]: 80–81 The pre-dominant religion is Buddhism.[4]: 48
Governance
editKargyak village comes under the Testa Gram Panchayat local self-government body.[5]
Amenities
editKargyak has a pre-primary and primary school. There is mobile phone service and electricity supply. Piped water supply is provided from springs through canals.[4]: 147, 148, 151
Fauna and flora
editW.N. Koelz trekked through Kargyak in July 1933. He found herds of yak and a few horses. He reported that there were few birds. He sighted many horned larks and Tibetan pigeons. Other birds included snow pigeons, lammergeiers, red-capped linnets and black and white finches. Wild flowers included geranium, columbine, buttercup, two species of pedicularis among others.[6]: 83
Economy
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The economy is largely agrarian. On a trek in July 1933, W.N. Koelz reported that barley was being cultivated. He found the valley was green with rich plant growth due to several springs and streams.[6]: 83 With low annual precipitation, irrigation through channels from streams fed by snow-melt is used.[7] In 2011, 35.8% of the cultivated land was irrigated.[4]: 152
Transport
editThe village is served by public/private buses.[4]: 149
Tourism
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Kargyak is a popular way point on the Darcha - Padum trekking route as it is the first village in Zanskar after crossing Shinko La.[citation needed] The spectacular Gumbok Rangan peak is located 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Kargyak. Several tent campsites cater to trekkers, bikers and motorists.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
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- ^ "Node: Kargyak". OpenStreetMap. September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Padum - Kargyak route". OpenStreetMap. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ a b District Census Handbook: Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir -- Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract (PCA). 3 Part XII B. Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India. 2011.
- ^ a b c d District Census Handbook: Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir -- Village and Town Directory. 2 Part XII A. Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India. 2011.
- ^ "Local Government Directory: LGD - Panchayat - Kargil - Jul24.xls". Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ a b Sinopoli, C.M. (2013). The Himalayan Journey of Walter N. Koelz: The University of Michigan Himalayan Expedition, 1932–1934. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan. ISBN 978-0-915703-80-7.
- ^ "Kargil - Ladakh: The climate and soil condition of the district". LAHDCK – Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.