Tsewang Rigzin
Eastern Ladakh, Aug 13: In a significant conservation initiative, residents of Phobrang have converted a traditional wolf trap, locally known as Shangdong, into a sacred Buddhist structure called Changchub Chorten (Enlightenment Stupa), symbolising a profound shift from predator persecution to peaceful coexistence.
The project, carried out at Kongka Yokma in the Phobrang valley, was initiated and completed by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) in collaboration with local youth groups, religious leaders and the broader community. The Stupa has been consecrated by monks headed by Khenpo Nawang Chotak.
Situated about 158 km from Leh along the banks of Pangong Lake, Phobrang comprises 139 agro-pastoralist households across the hamlets of Lukung, Yurgo, and Phobrang in Durbuk Sub Division. Livestock is the main stay of the local economy, and predator attacks (often by wolves and snow leopards) have historically caused both financial strain and emotional distress, prompting villagers to build Shangdong traps.
A Shangdong is a deep, conical pit with inward-sloping walls and a live animal used as bait. Once a wolf jumped inside, escape was impossible.
The Shangdong-to-Stupa at Phobrang is the ninth in a series by NCF. Eight such Shangdongs have already been converted into Stupas at various locations in Ladakh.
By converting these killing pits into Stupas that enshrine spiritual relics, local communities in Ladakh send a powerful message of compassion, coexistence, and respect for Ladakh’s wildlife. The transformation also reinforces the region’s rich Buddhist traditions while addressing conservation challenges.
Karma Sonam of NCF said the initiative at Phobrang was made possible with the close support of Councillor Chushul Konchok Stanzin, village Nambardar Konchok Nobu, Khenpo Nawang Chotak, Herder President Namgail, and the Youth Association of Phobrang. Karma also informed that NCF has helped some pastoralists with predator-proof corrals as well.
Councillor Konchok, Stanzin appreciated NCF for all its support to pastoralists over the years. “NCF has been working wonderfully in the whole Changthang region for many years as I have myself had the opportunity to work with them closely over the last 10 years,” he said, adding that an amount of Rs 1 crore and Rs 70 lakh has been given to the All Changthang Pashmina Grower Marketing Society by the ICICI Foundation through NCF for the development of Pashmina production.
“This is a turning point for our relationship with wildlife,” said Nambardar Konchok Norbu during the consecration ceremony of the Stupa.
The Phobrang example is now being seen as a model for other high-altitude communities grappling with human-wildlife conflict.
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