The eastern region of Ladakh, particularly Changthang, has long been known for its sustainable nomadic lifestyle practiced by the Changpa people. Traditionally, they relied on pastoralism, herding yaks, goats, and sheep, and moving to find optimal grazing lands. Their animals provided essential resources such as meat, milk, and wool, which were used for food, clothing, and shelter.

However, recent shifts have transformed their way of life. The challenges of earning a stable income from traditional nomadism, combined with the appeal of modern amenities and economic opportunities from tourism, have led many Changpa to sell their livestock and adopt a more settled lifestyle. As a result, the number of Changpa who maintain their traditional nomadic way of life has declined significantly.

To preserve and revive the region's cultural heritage, the Ladakh Cultural Academy in Leh organized the first-ever two-day Nomadic Festival at Korzok Phoo, Tsomoriri Lake, in August 2021. The second festival was held at Chibra, Kargyam, and the third at Hanle. The 4th edition of the Nomadic Festival took place on July 27 and 28 in Chibra, Kargyam Changthang, where attendance tripled compared to the previous year.

Councilor of Chushul, Konchok Stanzin, called it "the time to stitch the torn tents and re-wear the worn shoes." He emphasized the importance of making youth understand and preserve the existing culture and traditions. Stanzin believes that educated youth can help transform and ease the hardships of the nomadic lifestyle. Making this lifestyle more accessible and less challenging would encourage more young people to live and experience the shepherd’s life. He expressed that the aim is to educate youth, provide facilities, and enable them to live as modern nomads in the 21st century without compromising the traditional lifestyle, which would eventually lead to a cultural revival.

The two-day nomadic festival featured camps of nomads from different places in Leh, with tents made from yak wool. This wool, combed from yaks, is also used for weaving carpets and clothing. Similarly, the sheared wool from sheep is used for various purposes. Every tent displayed the inside of a nomadic camp, including earthen stoves, large stitched animal skin pouches used for churning, old utensils made of rocks, traditional foods, and men and women in traditional dress performing songs and dances with traditional musical instruments such as the dranyen, daman, surna, and piwang in front of their tents.

The purpose of the Nomadic Festival is to showcase the lifestyle and culture of nomads in Ladakh. Executive Councilor Tashi Namgyal Yakzee stated that the festival provides a platform for Drokpas (nomads) in Ladakh and could encourage youth to learn about this lifestyle and how it can be made more convenient. While tourism offers an easy way to earn money, it is not a dependable source of income. In contrast, the Drokpa lifestyle is sustainable and dependable. The administration is making efforts to make the nomadic lifestyle more convenient and to promote and revive the products obtained from pastures. He highlighted the GI-tagged Pashmina of Ladakh and noted a 30% increase in the population of goats and sheep according to research conducted in 2022 and 2023.

People appreciated the effort made by the government by providing funds to celebrate the day that helps to restore the products used by ancestors and showcase the lifestyle the ancestors lived.