‘Genetic lineages of Ladakh & Tibet same’

HYDERABAD: Genetic study by CSRI-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology scientists revealed that population of Ladakh region got amalgamated with common genetic lineages. The study confirmed and supports the theory of the movement of people through the Trans-Himalayan corridor and the Silk Route.

Kumarasamy Thangaraj, senior author of the study, said: “The maternal genetic lineages of the Brokpa, Changpa and Monpa populations of Ladakh region are related to lineages that are commonly found in South Asia, East Asia, and Tibet. This study found that Changpa and Monpa share common maternal genetic ancestor, while Brokpa is distinct and suffered population decline about 1,000-2,000 years ago.”

The researchers further found that Changpa and Monpa showed genetic affinity with Tibeto-Burman speakers.

The recent study by Thangaraj of CSIR-CCMB and Niraj Rai, senior scientist, DST-Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, unravelled the genetic history of the Ladakhi population.

Ladakh, a high-altitude region, is characterised by an alternating valley-range configuration with complex terrain and micro climates operating over the terrain facets and snowfall. The altitude varies from about 3,000 metres in Kargil to more than 8,000 metres in Karakoram. It lies at a strategic location between the Indus River Valley and the Hindu Khush Mountains, which makes this ‘land of high passesp’ one of the major routes for movement of people.

“Through the years, the region has faced multi-layered cultural movements, genetic assimilation and demographic changes. The initial settlement in the years goes back to the early neolithic age (12,000 years ago) and still continues despite its harsh, unhospitable and cold climate,” said the researchers.

In this first high-throughput mitochondrial DNA study, the researchers have analysed DNA of 108 individuals from three major communities (Brokpa, Changpa and Monpa) of Ladakh. They compared the DNA sequence of Ladakh populations with modern and ancient DNA sequences from South Asia, East Asia, Tibet and West Eurasia, and corroborated their findings with archaeological and historical records.