Testa (also Tetha) is a small village in the Lungnak valley in Zanskar tehsil, Kargil 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.
Testa
Tetha | |
|---|---|
village | |
 Testa village from the south | |
  Testa | |
| Coordinates: 33°10′42″N 77°10′00″E / 33.1782023°N 77.1666792°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Ladakh |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.71 km2 (0.66 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3,980 m (13,060 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 460 |
| • Density | 270/km2 (700/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Postal Index Number | 194302 |
| Website | https://kargil.nic.in/ |
Description
editTesta (elevation 3,980 m (13,060 ft)[1]) 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.[2] 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).[3]: 80
Demographics
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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.[3]: 80-81 The pre-dominant religion is Buddhism.[4]: 48
Governance
editThe Testa Gram Panchayat is a government office and local self-government body that governs the villages of Testa and Kargyak.[5] The two villages together have a population of 889 as per the Census 2011.[3]: 80
Amenities
editTesta has pre-primary, primary and middle schools. It has a dispensary, it is served by a mobile phone operator and electricity supply is available.[4]: 147-149,151
Economy
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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.[6] In 2011, 47% of the cultivated land was irrigated.[4]: 152
Transport
editIn 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.[7]
Tourism
editTesta 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.[8] With the completion of the Darcha-Padum road, this trek has lost its appeal.[citation needed]
Gallery
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Kargiakh river and Testa plateau from the right bank -
Testa sign on the left bank road -
Willow and birch trees -
Stripping bark from willow sticks -
Traditional house -
Modern house under construction
See also
editReferences
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- ^ "Node: Testa". OpenStreetMap. March 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "Padum - Testa route". OpenStreetMap. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Local Government Directory: LGD - Panchayat - Kargil - Jul24.xls". Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Kargil - Ladakh: The climate and soil condition of the district". LAHDCK – Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Tribune News Service (22 June 2024). "Keylong-Padum trial run a success, service on anvil". The Tribune (India). Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Mahanta, R. (2011). "The Complete Guide to Darcha Padum Trek". India Hikes. Retrieved 28 July 2024.