WILDLIFE IN LADAKH

Ladakh being one of the highest inhabited plateaus and situated amidst formidable mountain ranges makes it one of the preferred destinations to witness remoteness in its truest forms. The same remoteness allows for chance sightings of wildlife just by the roadside.

Wild Life in ladkh

The Snow Leopard [Ladakhi Shan] once ranged throughout the Himalayas, Tibet and as far as the say a mountain on the Mongolian-Russian border; and the elevation from 1800m to 5400m. But it is believed there are about 200 in Ladakh, which are kept in the Hemis High Altitude National Park. It is rare in the world.

Kyang [the wild horse] is a unique animal. It belongs to ass family. But looks pretty. Kyangs are frequently spotted in the grassland of Changthang region of Ladakh, numbering about 1500 individuals.

Yak [wild ox] is a type of cattle with long hairs and horns.  There are a few brown bears in the Suru valley and area around the Dras region. The Tibetan wolf, which sometimes preys on the livestock of Ladakh is, is the most persecuted among the predators, and reduced to 300 in nos. in Ladakh.

The Tibet Sand Fox has been recently discovered in this region. Among smaller animals, marmots, hares and several types of pika and vole are common.

In The Leh Ladakh Flora and Fauna has the Chiru, or Tibetan antelope, (known in Ladakhi as Stos) is also endangered. It has traditionally been hunted for its wool. The wool obtained from the Chiru is called Shahtoosh, which is valued in South Asia for its light weight and warmth and as a status symbol. Owning or trading in Shahtoosh is now illegal in most countries. To wear shahtoosh is a sign of luxurious life. Nayan is the largest sheep in the world. Urial is the smallest sheep of the world. Both are found in all parts of Ladakh. Bharal or blue sheep is mostly found in Ladakh region. But it is not found in some areas of Zangskar and Sham. I bex is an elegant mountain goat. It’s population about 6,000 individuals keep it on second popular animal of western part of Ladakh. It can run easily in rugged areas in dangerous time.

If you walk and watch on the road for few hours you can observe the beauty of these animals.

RIVER RAFTING IN LADAKH

River Rafting in Ladakh takes you through its picturesque landscape, consisting of deep canyons, hill top monasteries, hill-side villages and its wildlife.

RIVER RAFTING IN LADAKH

A season for River Rafting in Ladakh is only for four and half months. It starts from early June and remains till early October.

Leh Ladakh region of India provides very good opportunity and atmosphere for River Rafting. The Indus and its major tributaries and Zangskar have many stretches for River Rafting. Many professional agencies are ready to guide you. The best stretch guided by professional is on the Indus river between Spituk and saspol. The river’s white water becomes difficult and funning. So it requires technically skilled participants under the guidance of careful organization. The Indus river has easiest stretch between spituk and Karu. It is ideal for basic training and day return and attractive floating for a matures. Nowadays, rafting the Indus has become an attractive alternative to trekking. The most difficult and exciting river rafting in the Zangskar between Padum and Nimo. If you choose this site for River Rafting in Ladakh, then you should be prepared for several day of river running. You have to camp in wilderness. Participants should be trained rafters and get arrangements under a dependable professional agency. An adequate arrangement for rescue is an essential in water expedition on river Zangskar.

Zangskar River Rafting expedition’s trip starts with a flight over the expeditions trip starts with a flight over the Himalayas into the Himalayan region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Stay a few days in Leh town of Ladakh to acclimatize yourself at 11000 above sea level. You can get the pleasure of visiting the ancient monasteries, palaces and villages around the town.

Take a drive to Kargil (180Km). Here again take a drive up to Remala. It the way you have to pass through exiting few of parkachik, and magnificent view of the Nun and Kun, hanging glaciers and meadows. Remala is the starting point for the rafting trip on Dada river, a tributary of Zangskar river. When you are rafting sports in this river. You will observe the pleasure of the game which enables grand views of Zangskar peaks at the bottom of which is the Drug Durang glacier.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF LADAKH

Flora is a Latin word which means goddess of flowers and Fauna was sister of Faunus, a good spirit of the forest and plains. Flora and Fauna refer to plant and wild life respectively. The indigenous plant and wildlife of a geographical region is often referred to as that region’s flora and fauna.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF LADAKH

Flora and Fauna of Ladakh were first studied by Ferdinand Stoliczka, an Austrian Palaeontologist, who carried out a massive expedition in the region in the 1870s. Flora and Fauna of Ladakh are in keeping with the mountainous nature of region. The Flora and Fauna of Ladakh have much common with those of Central Asia generally, and especially those of the Tibetan plateau.

There are hardly any trees and vegetation in sight in much of Ladakh, except for the few narrow valleys, where wild roses, willow groves and some herbs could be seen. However, above that, due to rapid decrease in tempreture, vegetation becomes stunted and sparse. An exception to this is birds. Ladakh has a great diversity of birds, a total of 225 species have been recorded, many of them that migrate from the warmer parts of India to spend summer in Ladakh. Among  Ladakh’s  most  important Fauna are bactarian camel, brown bear, Ladakh urial, lynx, red fox, syberian ibex,  snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan argali, Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan wild ass, Tibetan wolf, wild dog, and wild yak.

Many species of finches, robins, red starts and the hoopoe are common in summer.  The brown headed gull and resident water birds include the brahminy duck [ruddy Sheldrake] bar headed goose can be seen in summer on the river Indus and some lakes of Changthang. The black headed crane, a rare species is also found in Ladakh. Other bird species are raven, red billed chough, Tibetan snow cock and chukar can be seen in summer in Ladakh.

The lammergeyer and golden eagle, common raptors are found here.

Did you know:-Only 200 Leopards are surviving in Ladakh. But you can see their foot print in winter only.