The cold deserts of India are a unique geographical feature found in the northern regions of the country. These deserts are characterized by their extremely low temperatures, which can drop to as low as -40°C during winter. Despite being deserts, the cold deserts of India are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard, Tibetan wild ass, and Himalayan wolf.

The most famous cold desert in India is the Ladakh region, located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a high altitude desert that spans over 45,000 square kilometers and is surrounded by towering mountains. The terrain of the region is starkly beautiful, with vast expanses of barren land, rocky mountains, and frozen lakes.

Another notable cold desert in India is the Spiti Valley, located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The Spiti Valley is home to some of the oldest monasteries in the world and is a popular destination for trekking and adventure tourism.

The cold deserts of India are unique and fragile ecosystems that are facing significant threats due to climate change and human activities. It is important to protect and preserve these deserts for their ecological significance and cultural heritage. With its stark beauty and unique biodiversity, the cold deserts of India are truly a treasure worth exploring.

Cold Desert In India​ - Ladakh 

Ladakh is a cold desert in India lying in the Great Himalayas on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south enclose it. Several rivers flow through Ladakh,  Indus being the most important among them. The rivers form deep valleys and gorges. Several glaciers are found in Ladakh, for example, the Gangotri glacier.

The altitude in Ladakh varies from about 3000m in Kargil to more than 8,000m in the Karakoram. Due to its high altitude, the climate is extremely cold and dry. The air at this altitude is so thin that the heat of the sun can be felt intensely. The day temperatures in summer are just above zero degrees and the night temperatures are well below 30°C.

It is freezing cold in the winters when the temperatures may remain below 40°C for most of the time. As it lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, there is little rainfall, as low as 10 cm every year. The area experiences freezing winds and burning hot sunlight. Let us learn how flora, fauna, and living are like in the cold desert in India, Ladakh.

Flora and Fauna

Due to high aridity, the vegetation is sparse. There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. Groves of willows and poplars are seen in the valleys. During the summers, fruit trees such as apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom. Several species of birds are sighted in Ladakh. Robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven, and hoopoe are common. Some of these are migratory birds.

The animals of Ladakh are wild goats, wild sheep, yak, and special kinds of dogs. The animals are reared to provide for the milk, meat, and hides. Yak's milk is used to make cheese and butter. The hair of the sheep and goat is used to make woolens. People. The people in Ladakh are either Muslims or Buddhists. Some famous monasteries are Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and Lamayuru.

In the summer season the people are busy cultivating barley, potatoes, peas, beans, and turnip. The climate in the winter months is so harsh that people keep themselves engaged in festivities and ceremonies. The women are very hard working. They work not only in the house and fields, but also manage small businesses and shops.

Tourism

Leh, the capital of Ladakh is well connected both by road and air. The National Highway 1A connects Leh to Kashmir Valley through the Zoji la Pass. Tourism is a major activity with several tourists streaming in from within India and abroad. Visits to the gompas, treks to see the meadows and glaciers, witnessing ceremonies and festivities are important activities.

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