Stongdey
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{for|the monastery|Stongdey Monastery}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Stongdey
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Tongdey
| nickname =
| settlement_type = village
| image_skyline = NE View Stongdey Zanskar Jun24 A7CR 00966.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Stongdey from the northeast
| pushpin_map = India Ladakh
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|33.51775|N|76.97343|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Ladakh
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 2.566
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 3,530
| population_total = 914
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 =
| timezone1 = IST
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| website = https://kargil.nic.in/
| footnotes = Census 2011 area and population includes both Stongdey and Kumik villages
}}
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 {{Convert|18|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Padum on the Padum-Nimmu highway. This article also contains information about the neighbouring Kumik (Khumi) village.
Description
File:Kumik Stongde Kangri Zanskar Oct22 A7C 03998.jpg
Stongdey (elevation {{cvt|3,530|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |date=March 2024 |title=Node: Stongdey |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2071207351 |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=OpenStreetMap}}) is a small village in the Zanskar valley on the right bank of the Zanskar River. It is located at a distance of {{Convert|18|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Padum on the Padum-Darcha road.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2024 |title=Tourism > Tourist Places > Zanskar |url=https://kargil.nic.in/tourist-place/zanskar/ |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=LAHDCK – Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil}} Stongdey and the neighbouring Kumik village have a combined area of {{Convert|256.60|ha|acre}}.{{rp|page=74}} The 2 villages are located {{Convert|3.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} apart, on either side of the Nimmu-Padum highway.{{Cite web |date=31 August 2024 |title=Stongde - Kumik route |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=fossgis_osrm_car&route=33.51779%2C76.97349%3B33.49697%2C76.95379 |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=OpenStreetMap}} The elevation of Kumik is {{cvt|3,750|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |date=March 2024 |title=Node: Kumik |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3860512734 |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=OpenStreetMap}}
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.{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=District Census Handbook: Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir -- Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract (PCA)|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India|year=2011|isbn=|series=3 Part XII B|location=}}{{rp|page=74-75}} The pre-dominant religion is Buddhism.{{rp|page=48}}
Governance
The Stongday Gram Panchayat is a government office and local self-government body that governs the villages of Stongdey and Kumik.{{Cite web |title=Local Government Directory: LGD - Panchayat - Kargil - Jul24.xls |url=https://lgdirectory.gov.in |access-date=30 August 2024 |website=Ministry of Panchayati Raj}} The two villages together have a population of 914 as per the Census 2011.{{rp|page=80}}
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.{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=District Census Handbook: Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir -- Village and Town Directory|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India|year=2011|isbn=|series=2 Part XII A|location=}}{{rp|page=139-141,143}}
Economy
File:SW View Stongdey Zanskar Jun24 A7CR 00958.jpg
The economy is largely agrarian. With low annual precipitation, irrigation through channels from streams fed by snow-melt is used.{{Cite web |date=13 July 2024 |title=Kargil - Ladakh: The climate and soil condition of the district |url=https://kargil.nic.in/about-district/ |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=LAHDCK – Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil}} In 2011, 59% of the cultivated land was irrigated.{{rp|page=144}}
Transport
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.