Testa, Zanskar

Testa
Tetha
village
Testa village from the south
Testa village from the south
Testa is located in Ladakh
Testa
Testa
Location within Ladakh
Coordinates: 33°10′42″N 77°10′00″E / 33.1782023°N 77.1666792°E / 33.1782023; 77.1666792
Country India
Union TerritoryLadakh
DistrictZanskar
TehsilChah
Area
 • Total
1.71 km2 (0.66 sq mi)
Elevation
3,980 m (13,060 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
460
 • Density270/km2 (700/sq mi)
Languages
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postal Index Number
194302

Testa (also Tetha) is a small village in the Lungnak valley in Chah tehsil, Zanskar district, Ladakh, India. The village is situated on a plateau at the base of a mountain range on the right bank of the Kargiakh River. It is located on a rural road that runs on the right bank opposite the Padum-Darcha road. Testa is 61 km (38 mi) south from Padum.

Description

Testa (elevation 3,980 m (13,060 ft)) is a small village in the Lungnak valley on the left bank of the Kargiakh Chu (river). It is located at a distance of 61 km (38 mi) from Padum on the Padum-Darcha road. The distance from Darcha in Lahaul is 68 km (42 mi), the road climbing over the 5,091 m (16,703 ft) Shinko La pass. Testa village has an area of 170.80 hectares (422.1 acres).: 80 

Demographics

Stone inscribed with Buddhist prayers

The population as of the 2011 Census was 460 with 71 households. Females comprised 48.5% of the population. The literacy rate was 53%. 97.4% of the inhabitants belonged to scheduled tribes.: 80-81  The pre-dominant religion is Buddhism.: 48 

Governance

The Testa Gram Panchayat is a government office and local self-government body that governs the villages of Testa and Kargyak. The two villages together have a population of 889 as per the Census 2011.: 80 

Amenities

Testa has pre-primary, primary and middle schools. It has a dispensary, it is served by a mobile phone operator and electricity supply is available.: 147-149,151 

Economy

Fields on the Testa plateau, Kargiakh river on the left

The economy is largely agrarian with tourism also providing jobs and income. Annual precipitation is low, fields are irrigated through channels from streams fed by snow-melt. In 2011, 47% of the cultivated land was irrigated.: 152 

Transport

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 Testa.

Tourism

Testa is a way-point on the popular Darcha-Padum trek. This trek of moderate difficulty takes 9-10 days. It crosses the 5,091 m (16,703 ft) Shinko La pass, then alternates on the left and right sides of the Lungnak valley. A day hike in the middle is a visit to Phuktal Gompa. With the completion of the Darcha-Padum road, this trek has lost its appeal.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Node: Testa". OpenStreetMap. March 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ↑ "Padum - Testa route". OpenStreetMap. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 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.
  4. 1 2 3 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. ↑ "Local Government Directory: LGD - Panchayat - Kargil - Jul24.xls". Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Retrieved 30 August 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. ↑ Tribune News Service (22 June 2024). "Keylong-Padum trial run a success, service on anvil". The Tribune (India). Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  8. ↑ Mahanta, R. (2011). "The Complete Guide to Darcha Padum Trek". India Hikes. Retrieved 28 July 2024.