Page 114 - Journeys Through Society-7

Animal, like yaks, sheep, mountain goats and some Life of People
varieties of dogs can be found here. People of Ladakh The people of Ladakh have learnt to survive the harsh
rear animals like yaks, sheep and goats for their meat conditions by establishing a synergic relation with
and milk. The milk of yaks in particular is useful in nature and the environment. Life in Ladakh is severely
making dairy products like cheese and butter. Woollen constrained due to scarcity of water. The main sources
garments and shawls are also made from wool of water are melting glaciers and natural springs. Each
obtained from sheep and goats. The Tibetan antelope water source in Lakdakh, whether natural or artificial,
is a rare animal species that is a native of the land. This has a strip of land adjacent to it, where human
animal is in great demand for its wool which is very settlements have developed and cultivation is
light weight yet warm. Demand for its wool or practiced. Small farms managed and worked upon by
shahtoosh had ensured that these animals are hunted women have developed in these oasis. Women-run
mercilessly. As a result, the Tibetan antelope or Chiru small shops and businesses form another source of
is today an endangered species. Ladakh is also home income for the people of Ladakh.
to birds like robins, snowcocks, hoopoe, ravens, In lands up to the elevation of 3,000 metres, wheat is
redstarts and other migratory birds. the main crop cultivated. Barley is another important
crop grown here. Grains are grown in the summer
season. Winters experience too much snow and cold
to grow crops. The winter season is mostly an idle time
for the people of Ladakh, as the extreme cold climate
makes it impossible to cultivate the land.
Buddhist monasteries, also called 'gompas' are quite
Yak Mountain goat Tibetan antelope
common in Ladakh. Some well-known Buddhists
monasteries include: Hemis, Thiksey, Shey and
Lamayuru.
Ladakh is open to tourists from far and near. Tourism is
one of the most important economic activities of the
land. Foreign and Indian tourists visit Ladakh to enjoy
Rebins Hoopoe Raven
its scenic beauty and rich culture.
Many come to Ladakh to go on mountain treks or to
AI Fact Technology Literacy visit the Buddhist monasteries. The Department of
Tourism of Ladakh also organises and sponsors an
The Indian Army will soon conduct trials of indigenously
annual seven-day Ladakh Festival to promote tourism.
developed AI enabled, unmanned all- terrain vehicles in
Ladakh for surveillance and logistic operations. Life of people is undergoing change due to
modernisation. But the people of Ladakh have over
the centuries learnt to live in balance and harmony
with nature.

Revision Notes

• All places on Earth that receive rainfall less than 10 cm per annum are termed as deserts.
• Deserts in the temperate and frigid zones are cold deserts.

• Deserts in the tropical zones are hot deserts.
• The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert.
• Ladakh is a cold desert of India located in the lap of the Great Himalayas.

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