Chah (also Cha) is a small village in the Lungnak valley in Zanskar tehsil, Kargil district, Ladakh, India. The village is situated at the base of a mountain range on the right bank of the Tsarap River. It is located on the Padum-Darcha road, 47 km (29 mi) south from Padum.

Chah
Cha
village
Chah village, June 2024
Chah village, June 2024
Chah is located in Ladakh
Chah
Chah
Coordinates: 33°14′38.25″N 77°07′33.92″E / 33.2439583°N 77.1260889°E / 33.2439583; 77.1260889
Country India
StateLadakh
Area
 • Total0.838 km2 (0.324 sq mi)
Elevation
3,920 m (12,860 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total465
 • Density550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Languages
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postal Index Number
194302
Websitehttps://kargil.nic.in/

Description

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Chah (elevation 3,920 m (12,860 ft)) is a small village in the Lungnak valley on the right bank of the Tsarap River. It is located at a distance of 47 km (29 mi) from Padum on the Padum-Darcha road.[1] The distance from Darcha in Lahaul is 82 km (51 mi), the road climbing over the 5,091 m (16,703 ft) Shinko La pass. Chah village has an area of 83.80 hectares (207.1 acres).[2]: 80 

Demographics

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The population as of the 2011 Census was 465 with 61 households. Females comprised 40.2% of the population. The literacy rate was 56%. All but 2 of the 465 persons belonged to scheduled tribes.[2]: 80-81 

Governance

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The Cha Gram Panchayat is a government office and local self-government body. The villages of Chah and Shunshday (Shan Shaday) come under its jurisdiction.[3] In 2011, the population of these two villages was 709.[2]: 80 

Amenities

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Chah has a pre-primary and primary school. Household power supply and mobile phone coverage are available. The village has a primary health sub-centre (PHS).[4]: 147–149, 151  There is an India Post branch post office with PIN code 194302.[5]

Economy

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The economy is largely agrarian with tourism also providing jobs and income. As the annual precipitation is low, fields are irrigated through channels from streams fed by snow-melt.[6] About 46% of the agricultural land is irrigated.[4]: 152 

Tourism

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Trail from Chah down to the Tsarap near Phuktal on the right, trail from Purne on the left

From Chah there is a 6 km (3.7 mi) trail to Phugtal Monastery.[7] The trail is difficult in some places. The distance can be covered in 2-3 hours.[8]

Transport

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In June 2024, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) announced that it would soon commence a bus service from Keylong in Lahaul to Padum. This would run on the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road and would serve Chah.[9] Taxis are available.[4]: 149 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Padum - Cha route". OpenStreetMap. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c 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.
  3. ^ "Local Government Directory: LGD - Panchayat - Kargil - Jul24.xls". Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c 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.
  5. ^ "Find pincode: Ladakh - Kargil". India Post, Dept. of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Govt of India. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Kargil - Ladakh: The climate and soil condition of the district". LAHDCK – Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Chah - Phuktal route". OpenStreetMap. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  8. ^ Khan, V. (6 August 2023). "Phugtal Monastery – A Complete Travel Guide: Day 2 – Cha to Phugtal Monastery to Purne". Vargis Khan. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  9. ^ Tribune News Service (22 June 2024). "Keylong-Padum trial run a success, service on anvil". The Tribune (India). Retrieved 21 July 2024.