CLIMATE OF COLD & DRY CLIMATE

PRESENTED BY, ANKITA GOEL, FARHAN ASIM, MERAJ HUSSAIN RIZVI, NISHANT SONKAR, POONAM BISHT,

POOJA PANDEY & NISHANT SAXENA

Cold and Dry climate is a climate that is very cold and the precipitation is too low to sustain any vegetation at all, or at most a very scanty shrub.

Found in temperate zones, almost always in the rain shadow of high mountains which restrict precipitation from the westerly winds, or in the case of Central Asia, from the monsoon

WHAT IS THE COLD AND DRY CLIMATE

COLD & DRY CLIMATE

Ladakh lies on the rain shadow side of the Himalayan. Where dry monsoon winds reaches Leh after being robbed of its moisture in plains and the Himalayan mountain. The district combines the condition of both arctic and desert climate. Therefore Ladakh is often called “ COLD DESERT”

• Cold desert climates are very hot and dry in the summer, winter they are brutally cold and dry• Cold deserts frequently experience snow.• Lying in the Great Himalayas in India also has a cold desert climate• Mountainous, has little vegetation• Solar radiation is generally intense with a very low percentage of diffuse radiation. • Summer – 17 – 24 ºC Maximum 4 – 11 ºC Minimum• Winters – • -7 to 8 ºC Maximum -14 to 0 ºC Minimum

• R.H - 10 – 50 % • Precipitation - ≤ 200 mm per annum• Cloud cover - 50%.

SUNPATHDIAGRAM

LEHLATITUDE – 34⁰ N

SUNPATH DIAGRAM - LEH

Climate changes – last 30 years

Climate changes – last 30 yearsPRECIPITATION

COLD & DRY CLIMATEEffects of Global Warming on Cold Deserts

• Declining rainfall of 5 to 15% (Australia’s Great Victoria desert, the Atacama and the Colorado Great Basin)• Paradoxically areas such as the Gobi will experience a 10-15% increase in rainfall.• An average of an increase of 3ºC in air temperature annually.• Diversion of large rivers that cross deserts to provide water to nearby cities and farms.• Construction of roads, settlement expansion and other development in nearby areas.• Desert plants are a potential source of new medicines and have not yet been explored in depth. Global

warming may well destroy this untapped possible source of anti-cancer and anti-malarial compounds• Damming of the large rivers that cross deserts cause downstream water supplies to dry up, having a serious

impact on flood plains and river ecology.• Rising water tables underneath the irrigated soils are prone to contamination due to increase in salt content

as seawater seeps into underground water.

COLD & DRY CLIMATE

Similar areas around the world

• Gobi desert, China, South Mongolia

• Atacama desert, Chile & Peru

• Taklamakam desert, China

• Patagonian desert, Chile & Argentina

• Karakum desert, Turkmenistan, central asia

TRANSPORTATION

• Leh can be reached by air from New Delhi, Chandigarh , Jammu & Srinagar.

• In Summer Rothangpass will open, from Manali you can go by road. The state transport buses will ply from Manali to Leh, only in Summer (June-September)

• Best mode of transportation around Leh is Jeep.

• Leh Taxi & Jeeps have union, so all the rates almost same.

TRANSPORTATION•Srinagar - Leh - 434 Km

Manali - Leh - 473 Km

Srinagar - Kargil - 204 Km

Delhi - Leh - 1047 Kms

Leh - Kargil - 234 Km

Kargil - Padum (Zanskar) - 240 Km

Leh - Deskit (Nubra Valley) - 118 Kms.

LIFESTYLE

• People of this region have a cheerful disposition and are peace-loving.

• According to the 1971 census, the population of Ladakh was estimated at 105,000.

• Fifty-five percent of the Ladakhis are Buddhist by faith and the rest are Muslims.

LIFESTYLE

• Ladakh is known as the 'land of the Lamas' and the Buddhist of Ladakh prefer to call their religion Lamaism - which is much the same as Mahayana (or Great vehicle) form of Buddhism.

• Religion pervades the life of Ladakhis and dominates their life-style.• The people of Ladakh have a system of dedicating at least one person from each family

to priesthood, i.e. to be a Lama. The female monk is called Chomo. • The Dalai Lama of Tibet is to them the chief spiritual head.

FOOD

• Vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkins, beetroots, and beans are cooked in a variety of different ways and accompany meat dishes.

• Mutton and chicken are the commonly consumed types of meat in Ladakh. • The staple food of Ladakhi people are Sku and Thukpa (made of wheat flour), Pava

(made of sattu) and khambir (local bread).

FOOD

• There are also many bakeries in Ladakh where you can buy freshly baked bread and enjoy eating it with locally made Apricot Jam.

• There are many restaurants in Leh, where you can have an international meal or choose from Tibetan or Ladakhi fare if you prefer.

• Very dry land, Vegetation is bare minimum • Natural vegetation occurs along water courses and

on high altitude areas that receive more snow

The vegetation includes the ‘Seabuckthorn’, wild roses of pink or yellow varieties, Tamarisk, Mint etc’, Juniper trees can also be found growing in the wild

In the areas of human settlement there are lush fields and trees which have been planted and irrigated wellHere the vegetation also expands and one gets to see crops like ‘Barley, Peas, Wheat and even fruits like Grapes

Junipers – Height – 5m – 15mTrunk Diameter – 2m

Sea-buckthorns – Height – 0.5m – 6m Used for barrier

hedges and windbreaks, and to stabilize riverbanks and steep slopes

FLORA & FAUNA

Ladakh has a great many species of birds considering the fact that it is such an arid desert. A total of 225 species have been

recorded so far, and these include

Finches RavenRobins Red-billed ChoughRedstarts Hoopoe

Some of the resident water-birds include the Brahminy DuckBar-headed Goose The ‘Golden Eagle’ is a common raptors here.

FLORA - The majority of plants that exist in this biome are deciduous with spiny leaves. Plant height varies from 15 to 122 centimeters being widely scattered among the land.

Many of the large animals like •Yak•Bharal (the blue sheep)•Urial (Smallest sheep)•have natural coat of thick fur that helps protect them in the harsher climates

Many of the other mammals include the• Tibetan Sand Fox•Eurasian Lynx•Tibetan Wild-Ass•Tibetan Wolf•Snow Leopard

As beautiful is the terrain of Ladakh so is the ‘Flora’ and ‘Fauna’.

ANIMALS

VEGETATIONa) ANAPHALIS TRIPLINERVIS : Herbaceous perinnial plant . Attractive, but not brilliant displays of bloom in late summer and fall. Hanging them in a cool, airy, shaded place, Flower buds are eaten raw as salads.

b) BERBERIS LYCEUM ROYLE : Region to Himalyas is widely used like food and in folk medicine.

c) LACTUCA SATIVA : Annual plant . Lettuce is easily cultivated, requires low temperatures to prevent it from flowering quickly. Used for salads ,and other food items. Height and spread of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm).

d) RUMEX PATIENTIA : Use in leather tanning, while leaves and stems are used for

a mordant-free mustard-colored dye These plants are edible

1.INDUS VALLEYIndus valley is the most populated and the central valley of Leh district of Ladakh region. The majority of settlement of the valley is under 180 Km long and 55km wide

2. NUBRA VALLEYThis is the northern most valley of Ladakh.. The altitude of this valley is less in comparison to Leh Valley. Valley is known for its rich flora. Natural forests are noticed on both sides of Nubra river. A number of shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants are found in the forest. Alpine grasses are there on mountains peak.

VALLIES

3. CHANGTHANG VALLEY

• The cultivated area lies between 10,000ft to 14,000 ft. where only Barley crops are grown in small quantity.

• Majority of Changpas are nomads whose main occupation is livestock rearing especially famous Pashmina goats and sheep's.

• Being always close and travelling with nature Changpas are largely dependent on wild plants for vegetables, medicine for both human and animals and other needs.

Species Common name Status

Arnebia euchroma Rattanjot Endangered

Dracocephallum Heretrophyllum - frequent

Nepeta longibracteata - frequent

Pedicularis loniflora - frequent

Rheum spiciformae Himalayan Rhubarb endangered

Himalayan rhubarbPendicularis longifloraRatanjot

Species Common name Status

Artemisia dracunculus Tarragon Frequent

Bergenia strcheyi Pasanbhed Endangered

Codonopsis sp. - frequent

Meconnopsis aculeate Blue Endangered

Podophyllum hexandrum Himalayan Mayapple Endangered

4. ZANSKAR VALLEY• During winter time can be reached by

frozen river trek.• The cultivated area lies at altitude of

between 10,000 ft. and 12,000 ft.• Economy of the region is mainly

dependent on agriculture and animals.

Pasanbhed TarragonMayapple

Species Common name Status

Aconitum heterohyllum Atis Endangered

Delphinium Cashmerianum Himalayan Larkspur Vulnerable

Physalis alkekengi Winter cherry Vulnerable

Podophyllum hexandrum Himalayan Mayapple Endangered

Rubia Cordifoliam Manjistha Endangered

5. SURU VALLEY

• The Cultivate area lies between 8,500 ft. and 10,000 ft

• Valley is famous for quality of Apricot.• The majority of inhabitants of this valley

are Shia Muslim.• The flora is also mixture of temperate as

well as of Alpine desert vegetation.

AtisManjistha Himalayan larkshpur Winter cherry

AGRICULTURE• The staple crop of Ladakh is barley and in some areas wheat, peas, vegetables and mustard for oil are also

cultivated.• Crops are grown in summer.• Presently, in Leh the total cropped area is about 17,000 hectares.• Even irrigation potential has been created over an area of nearly 5000 hectares, through the construction of

canals and water-harvesting tanks• The application of modern technologies including hydraulic ram pumps and solar pumps are used.• Mini meadows filled with grasses and herbs are grown.• the Ladakhis grow willow and poplar trees, along with some fruit and nut trees at lower altitudes.• The scattered and meager wild plants are used for fuel, fibre and labour.

Pea Barley Wheat

Traditional Materials in LadakhThe traditional/conventional building materials used for walling, roofing and flooring in the Ladakh region are:a) Walling– Earth, soil, wood, timber, lime, cement, etc.

b) Roofing – Mud on wooden ballies , timber, bamboo , corrugated galvanized iron sheets, reinforced cement concrete, thatch , cement etc.

-cured for 15 days

thick mud plaster isused to create additionalinsulation layers. Walls

are sometimes fitted withpartly-timbered frames for

structural stabilization.

sun-dried mudbricks can be made onsite without specialized

skills. They are thecheapest building material

but also have very goodinsulation qualities.

- Size of mud blocks- 300 x150 x 150mm.

-20 mm of non-erodable mud plaster

c) Flooring – Earth, soil, wood, timber etc.

- waterproof roofing panel of size 300x300x100 mm

- Ladakhi temples and residential buildings share the same basic architecture.

-An internal timber frame supports flat, mudcovered roofs.

-Walls are built from rubble stone and sun-dried mud bricks.

-Use of Corrugated iron sheets

-Even after three years and after several heavy rainfalls the roofs are still waterproof because of the waterproof “markalak” layer that is applied.

-Markalak”, meaning“oily mud”,

Construction of a Ladakhi roof

-The final layer of soil on the roof is applied wet, and its mix can include straw, and even the dung of cows, donkeys or horses to increase its solidness as people often walk on the flat roofs.

-Next comes a layer of rough soil, and then the layer of “markalak” clay.

-Next comes a layer of Ladakhi “yagtses” grass, a traditional stop-gap layer:

-Ladakhi roof starts with a ceiling of wooden beams, rafters and willow-stick joists, on which we place woven straw mats to prevent dust from falling through the joists.

Construction of a Ladakhi roof

CONSTRUCTION OF A LADAKHI ROOF

Sofi HouseOne of the oldest and architecturally important houses

it was built 100 years ago

The building has two stories

The roofwas badly disintegrated, with extensive leakage

Cholday HouseThe Cholday house is home to three generations of a single family.

The house has three stories.

Hanupa HouseHanupa House is located widely visible on the ridge high above the town and so an important priority

was rebuilt much stronger and structurally sounder.

Windows were enlarged

Had very low ceilings

The house was successfully rehabilitated.

Norchung House

Norchung House is part of a cluster of buildings on the ridge below thepalace.

It is one of the larger buildings in old Leh, four floors, and manyremarkable architectural details.

The roof is leaking and the upper floor is basicallynot usable any longer because it was on the verge of collapse

Hor Yakandi House

This house was built about 100 years ago by a Muslim family fromnorth-western China (Yarkand).

Lonpo House

This is the former home of the king’s chief minister, built around the sametime as the Leh Palace (ca. 1600).

In the 1990s, it was donated to Chemrey monastery.

Jampa Lhakhang

This 15th century temple is one of the town’s main Buddhist monuments.

historic wall-paintings

Lakruk House

Lakruk House is one of the great old mansion houses of Leh, located just below the Leh Palace - Red Jampa Lhakhang area.

Chenrezi Lhakhang

This huge building was constructed in the 17th century as main monasticcenter for Leh .

It contains a 16-pillar assembly hall, a four-pillar protectorroom, and a three-storey tall blank wall facing the town for display ofthe huge Gygu tangka dur4ing festival times.

Chenrezi Lhakhang remains one of the old town’smajor monuments and a popular focus point for local Buddhists andtourists alike.

GROUND WATER RESOURCES, LEH

Ground Water Resources

• Ground water development through construction of tubewells and hand pumps is very much possible in this district.

• People mainly depend on surface water sources and springs for meeting water supply requirements.

• As per the data provided by PHE department, the number of villages covered by piped water supply is 112 and population covered is 0.70 lakhs.

• PHE has constructed 42 tubewells and 7 dugwells during 2001-02, 13 tubewells and 7 dugwells each during 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 respectively.

• The quality of gound water in the area is fresh and potable.

GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

SNOW WATER HARVESTING

• Snow Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge

• Snow water harvesting is a technique of preservation of snow and delaying the melting so that snow melt water is available for longer duration in a year.

• In the hilly areas roof top rainwater harvesting

• structures like storage tanks are recommended, while in low hill ranges, check dams and snow water harvesting structure can be adapted.

SPRINGS AROUND LEH

• In 2004-05, eighteen springs were inventoried.

• Springs used for domestic purpose, but they also serve as the source of irrigation.

• Hot water springs are located near Pananic and Changlum along thrust zones.

• The springs are yielding (9 – 20 lps) nearly boiling water (95ºC) at the source point, which infers that the ground water is oozing from the deep-seated thrust zone.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN LEH

• Two rivers flowing in this area indus and Shyok rivers.

• Nubra is a perennial river and is originated from Siachan Glacier and flows in North west to South east direction.

• nalas originating from the higher peaks of the mountains flow into Nubra.

• nalas = Lungpa.

• Most of the district is concentrated in valley portion drained by major river Indus and its tributaries.

• In the past development of ground water was mainly through dug wells and percolation wells along the riverbeds, nallas and also some springs has played a major role for sustainable domestic and irrigational purposes.

GROUND WATER RELATED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS • Traditional sources of water supply for villages and habitats are getting dried up

• Snow fall during winter period is also reduced.

• To mitigate the water supply crisis, hand pumps and tube wells can be constructed at suitable locations.

• The 2010 Ladakh floods occurred on 6 August 2010 across a large part of Ladakh, a region of the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

• 71 towns and villages were damaged, including the main town in the area, Leh.

• 255 people are reported to have died,[six of whom were foreign tourists.

• After a cloudburst and heavy overnight rains triggered flash floods, mudslides, and debris flows.

• 200 people were reported missing in the initial aftermath of the storm, and thousands more were rendered homeless after the flooding caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

• Overall, 9000 people were directly affected by the event.

DISASTERS