Major Cold Deserts of India

Ladakh and Spiti Valley are two mesmerizing, chilly deserts in India. These areas, which are tucked away in the Himalayas, are home to spectacular high-altitude scenery, glacier lakes, and historic Buddhist temples. The icy cold temperatures and dry conditions that have moulded a unique way of living. The various species, experience the rich cultural legacy, and behold nature's tenacity. For those who dare to explore their distant and alluring territories, Ladakh and Spiti Valley guarantee unmatched adventures, whether you're looking for spiritual retreats or breath-taking views.

Features of Major Cold Deserts of India

Here are the descriptions of major cold desert of India −

Ladakh

India's Cold Desert Cultural Landscape is found in the Himalayan Region, which encompasses Kinnaur in the state of Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) and Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Ladakh in India is a bitterly cold desert. Ladakh, a region of high mountain passes, is located in far northern India. In the native language, "La" means passes and "Dakh" means many. Therefore, the high-altitude passes are where Ladakh gets its name.

Ladakh is home to some of the most magnificent landscapes with its dry mountains, glacial lakes, and winding pathways. You will fall in love with one of India's gorgeous chilly deserts. The elevation in Ladakh ranges from just under 3,000 meters to more than 8,000 meters. The Karakoram ranges in elevation from 2,000 to 8,000 meters. Kargil is located at an altitude of roughly 3,000 m. Due to the extremely high altitude of the area, the climate in Ladakh is particularly dry and chilly.

The overnight lows in Ladakh are well below -30°C. Throughout the winter, the temperature is typically below -40°C. India's cold desert experiences very little precipitation because of its location in the Himalayan rain shadow. Only 10 cm of rain falls annually on average. The heat of the sun is especially strong in these regions since the air is so thin there. The frigid desert is susceptible to chilly gusts and scorching rays.

Ladakh, which was formerly a part of the Kashmir Division, separated from Jammu & Kashmir on February 8 to become a separate Revenue and Administrative Division. Ladakh received its own Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police as a division. Leh was originally selected to serve as the divisional headquarters of the new division, but after protests, it was announced that Leh and Kargil will jointly serve as the divisional headquarters. Each town will host an Additional Divisional Commissioner to help the Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police, who will split their time between each town.

The bharal, also known as the blue sheep, is the most prevalent mountain ungulate in the Ladakh region, while it is absent in some portions of the Zangskar and Sham regions. The western region of Ladakh is home to the Asiatic ibex, a mountain goat. Farmers who claim that the animal damages their crops frequently attack the animal.

Spiti Valley

The Spiti Valley is a high-altitude desert in Himachal Pradesh that is encircled by impressive mountain ranges. It has an abundance of scenic splendour. The Spiti Valley's strange landscape, which includes charming settlements, tall mountains covered in little flora, steep gorges, and glacial streams, is remarkable. This mountain valley in the chilly desert is a well-known Buddhist religious hub. Some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the world can be found there.

The two most well-known monasteries in the valley are Kye Gompa (Ki Monastery) and Tabo Monastery. The Tabo Monastery, which was established in the tenth century, is regarded as the valley's oldest monastery. Kye Gompa, the largest monastery in the Spiti Valley, is built on a hill at a height of 13,668 feet. Key Monastery provides magnificent views of the valley and the Spiti river from its hilltop location.

The Spiti valley spans a total area of 7,828.9 km2, and 17,104 people called it home as of 2011. The majority of the Spiti valley is governed administratively by the Lahaul and Spiti district, with a tiny portion falling under the Kinnaur district. Due to its location in the Himalayas' monsoon rain shadow, the Spiti valley is arid. Snowfall is less than 200 cm (6.6 ft) and yearly rainfall is roughly 50 mm. Up to 15 mm of sporadic rainfall each day can cause landslides and erosion. In the winter, it's -25 °C and in the summer, it's 15 °C.

Following independence in 1960, Lahaul & Spiti was created as a district, and Spiti was created as a sub-division with Kaza as its administrative centre. In accordance with the Punjab Reorganisation Act, the district of Lahaul and Spiti was amalgamated with Himachal Pradesh on November 1st, 1966.

Only a few sparse and stunted trees can be found in some towns in Spiti. On the bottom of the valley, there are shrubs. Despite this, Spiti is home to more than 450 different plant species. These include Ephedra, Artemisia, Seabuckthorn, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Aconitum, and ratanjot (Khamad). Rosa sericea, Hipopheae, and Lonicera, among other small plants and grasses, can be found in the alpine pastures on the high plateaus of Spiti.The Siberian ibex, snow leopard, red fox, pika, Himalayan wolf, weasels, and other wildlife can all be found in the Spiti region. The Pin Valley National Park and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary are the two protected places in Spiti.

List of Major Cold Deserts of India

The following table shows list of major cold deserts of India, their locations and approximate length −

Desert	Location	Approximate Area (sq. km)	Type
Ladakh Desert	Northern India (Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir)	45,000 sq. km	Cold
Spiti Valley	Himachal Pradesh, Northern India	7,000 sq. km	Cold

Conclusion

Ladakh and Spiti Valley, two of India's largest cold deserts, are breath-taking areas distinguished by high-altitude vistas, extremely low temperatures, and a distinctive cultural history. The "Land of High Passes," also known as Ladakh, is home to stunning mountains, glacial lakes, and dry landscapes. The Spiti Valley is a Buddhist religious centre with historic monasteries and breath-taking landscapes, and it is bordered by impressive mountain ranges.

Due to their location in the Himalayan rain shadow, both deserts receive little precipitation, which causes arid conditions. Numerous animal and plant species have adapted to the harsh environment in these frigid deserts, making them their home. Ladakh and the Spiti Valley provide unrivalled natural beauty and cultural diversity for travellers looking for off-the-beaten-path and enthralling locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are India's major cold deserts?

India's major cold deserts are Ladakh Desert and Spiti Valley.

Where is Ladakh Desert located?

Ladakh Desert is located in the northern region of India, specifically in Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir.

What is the approximate area of Ladakh Desert?

Ladakh Desert spans approximately 45,000 square kilometers.

What are the main features of Ladakh?

Ladakh is known for its high mountain passes, dry landscapes, glacial lakes, and extremely cold temperatures.

What is the best time to visit Ladakh & Spiti?

The best time to visit is in summer (June-September) for milder weather.

How to reach Ladakh & Spiti?

By air or road. Leh Airport for Ladakh and roads from Manali or Shimla for Spiti.

Where is Spiti Valley located?

Spiti Valley is located in Himachal Pradesh, in the northern part of India.

What is the approximate area of Spiti Valley?

Spiti Valley covers an area of approximately 7,000 square kilometers.

What are the prominent monasteries in Spiti Valley?

Kye Gompa (Ki Monastery) and Tabo Monastery are among the oldest and most well-known monasteries in Spiti Valley.

What is the climate like in Ladakh and Spiti Valley?

Both Ladakh and Spiti Valley experience arid conditions and extreme cold temperatures, with minimal rainfall and snowfall.