****Stongdey (also Stongde, Stongday, Tongde, Tongdey, Tangday) is a small village in the Zanskar valley in Zanskar tehsil, Kargil district, Ladakh, India. The village is situated on the right bank of the Zanskar River about 18 km northeast of Padum on the Padum-Nimmu highway. This article also contains information about the neighbouring Kumik (Khumi) village.

Description

Stongdey (elevation 3,530 m ) is a small village in the Zanskar valley on the right bank of the Zanskar River. It is located at a distance of 18 km from Padum on the Padum-Darcha road. Stongdey and the neighbouring Kumik village have a combined area of 256.60 ha. The 2 villages are located 3.3 km apart, on either side of the Nimmu-Padum highway. The elevation of Kumik is 3,750 m.

Demographics

The population of Stongdey and Kumik as of the 2011 Census was 914 with 138 households. Females comprised 47.8% of the population. The literacy rate was 47.4%. All but 3 of the inhabitants belonged to scheduled tribes. The pre-dominant religion is Buddhism.

Governance

The Stongday Gram Panchayat is a government office and local self-government body that governs the villages of Stongdey and Kumik. The two villages together have a population of 914 as per the Census 2011.

Amenities

Stongdey and Kumik have pre-primary, primary and middle schools. There is a Community Health Centre, mobile phone service and electricity supply are available.

Economy

The economy is largely agrarian. With low annual precipitation, irrigation through channels from streams fed by snow-melt is used. In 2011, 59% of the cultivated land was irrigated.

Transport

The villages are served by public/private buses and taxis.<ref name="CensusKargilA">

Tourism

The Stongdey Monastery is located on a hillock overlooking the village. Founded in 1052 CE, it is the second largest monastic institution in Zanskar.