The captivating region of Ladakh, nestled amidst the grandeur of the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range, is defined by its dramatic landscape and harsh climatic conditions. The mighty Indus River traverses its terrain from north to south, carving its way through a rugged gorge flanked by the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges. Ladakh, characterized by short summers, prolonged winters, and scant rainfall bears the hallmarks of a high-altitude desert.

Otto Pfister, the renowned Swiss ornithologist who has devoted decades to studying Ladakh's avian population, categorizes the birds into four distinct groups. The resident species, acclimated to breeding at extreme altitudes, may descend to the lower Ladakhi plains during the winter months. Migrant species, comprising summer, winter, and passage migrants, navigate Ladakh's airspace through various routes. Summer migrants arrive during April and May to breed before departing by the end of August. Winter migrants, originating mainly from the northern Palearctic, seek refuge in Ladakh between October and early December to endure the winter. Passage migrants traverse Ladakh either in spring (March-May) or autumn (August-November), utilizing it as a crucial stopover point in their migratory journey.

THE BIRDS

Listed below is a list of most of the birds found in the Ladakh region. Quite a few of them can be spotted in the Rumbak region which is in close proximity to the high-altitude Hemis National Park.

Throughout history, plants have been vital for humans, providing food and other essentials. The Himalayas, with their unique climate and varying altitudes, are home to a rich variety of plants that play a crucial role in the lives of the people living there, more than anywhere else in the world. In the cold desert areas of Ladakh, heavy snowfall makes them inaccessible for about six months each year, and winters can be extremely cold, with temperatures dropping below -35°C, while summers can be hot, reaching up to 40°C. In Ladakh, we can categorize the cold desert areas into five major valleys: Indus, Nubra, Changthang, Suru and Zanskar which lie along the major rivers such as Indus, Shyok, Nubra, Zanskar and Suru rivers.

NATIVE FLORA

This is a list of all the native flora found in the Ladakh himalayan region. A majority of them can be found in the Rumbak region which is in close proximity to the high-altitude Hemis National Park.