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Geography of Ladakh

Ladakhis an administrative territory ofIndiathat has been under its control since 1947. The geographical region ofLadakhunion territoryis the highest altitudeplateauregion in India (much of it being over 3,000 m), incorporating parts of theHimalayanandKarakorammountain rangesand the upperIndus Riverand valley.

Topology of the Ladakh region, withSrinagarandAnantnagin the Kashmir valley to west,LahaulandSpitiinHimachal Pradeshin south, andKyrgyzstanvisible to north. Vertical scale is exaggerated.
Ladakh region has high altitude.
Landscape in Ladakh.

Political geography

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Historic Ladakh consists of a number of distinct areas (mainly under Indian rule), including the fairly populous main Indus valley, the more remoteZanskar(in the south) andNubravalleys (to the north overKhardung Lain the Ladakh mountain range, a high motorable pass at 5,359 metres (17,582 ft)), the almost desertedAksai Chin(under Chinese rule) and the predominantlyShi'iteMuslimKargilandSuruvalley areas in the west (Kargil being the second most important town in Ladakh). Historically populated by the Ladakhi people, continued immigration and preferential treatment to Kashmiris by the J&K government have led to demographic changes in the Ladakh region.

The Baltistan andSkarduarea, under Pakistani rule and entirely Muslim, used to be included in what is geographically referred to as Ladakh. Before partition, Baltistan was one of the districts of Ladakh. Skardo was the winter capital of Ladakh while Leh was the summer capital. People of Baltistan and Ladakh speak very similar languages closely related to Tibetan.

Naked barley, normal barley and wheat are the staple crops all over Ladakh, along with mustard (for oil), lentils and other pulses, and vegetables. The extreme limit of cultivation is at Korzok near the Tso Moriri lake, at 4560 m, said to be among the highest fields in the world.

Mountain ranges & plateau

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See also:List of mountain peaks of Ladakh,Geology of the Himalaya,List of mountains in India,andList of mountain passes of India
The 6,000-kilometre-plus (3,700 mi) journey of the India landmass (Indian Plate) before its collision with Asia (Eurasian Plate) about 40 to 50 millionyears ago.[1]

The mountain ranges in this region were formed over a period of 45 million years by the folding of theIndian Plateinto the stationary landmass of Asia.Himalayas were formedfrom the base material of the Indian plate.[1][2]

From north to south mountain ranges areKarakoram range,Ladakh range,Zanskar rangeandGreat Himalayasrange. Plateaus areDepsang plainsnorth of Karakoram range, "Lingzi Thang plains" southeast of Depsang plains & north ofKongka La.

Various routes (red), mountain passes, and plateaus (plains). Karakoram Plains (Depsang Plains), Soda Plains, & Ling Thang Plains inAksai Chin.

Ladakh range

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Sedimentary rock formations in Ladakh

The Ladakh Range has no major peaks; its average height is a little less than 6000 metres, and few of its passes are less than 5000 m. Within Ladakh it forms the northern boundary wall of the Indus valley, though when the river enters present-day Indian-controlled Ladakh atDemchok,some 250 km south-east of Leh, it is actually flowing along the foot of the northern flank of these granite mountains, which it crosses by a great gorge close to its confluence with the Hanle River.

The Pangong Range runs parallel to the Ladakh range for some 100 km northwest fromChushul,and extends to the south along the southern shore of thePanggong Lake.It is divided from the main Ladakh range by the Tangtse River. Its highest range is 6700 m, and the northern slopes are heavily glaciated.

A third branch called the Kailash Range issues southeast of the Pangong Range and continues till MountKailasinNgari(in Tibet). It forms the eastern watershed of the Indus River south of Mount Sajum.

Zanskar range

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TheZanskar Rangeconsists of layers of sediment from the ocean floor, and theLadakh Rangeofgranitewas born of the immense heat generated by the friction between the two plates. In Ladakh, the suture zone between the continental masses runs a little to the south of theIndus Valley.The drift continues and is the cause of the frequent earthquakes in the Himalayan region. Crossing the Himalayas by the dip of theZoji-la,the crest-line of the range remains at a relatively modest level, the highest peaks near the pass being little more than 5000–5500 m above sea level. South-east of Zoji-la the scale increases, reaching a climax in the mighty massif ofNun-Kun,with two summits over 7000 m.

Rivers valleys

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Sindhu Pushkaram,the confluence ofIndusriver (left) with the siltyZanskar River(top), where theSindhu Pushkaram Festivalis held every 12 years.

The enormous mass of the Himalayas creates arain shadow,denying entry to the moisture-laden clouds of the Indianmonsoon.Ladakh is thus a high altitude desert. The main source of water is the winter snowfall on the mountains. The regions on the north flank of the Himalayas—Dras, the Suru valley and Zanskar—experience heavy snowfall and remain virtually cut off from the rest of the country for several months in the year. Summers are short, although long enough to grow crops. The proportion of oxygen is less than in many other places at a comparable altitude because of lack of vegetation. There is little moisture to temper the effects of rarefied air.SuruandZanskarvalleys form a great trough at the foot of the northern, heavily glaciated flank of the Himalayas, while opposite rise the mountains of theZanskar range.

Map-R1: The Demchok sector with China's claim line in the west and India's claim line in the east. TheLine of Actual Control,shown in bold, starting fromCharding Lain south runs along theCharding Nullahand then west along theIndus RivertoLagankhelnear confluence with the Chibra stream and till confluence nearFukcheALG Airstrip with theKoyul Lungpa riverfromChang Lapass, then heads northwest to the mountain watershed.Hanle River(unmarked) flows parallel to Koyul River to its west in the map.
Map-R2: Rivers of Ladakh.
Map-R3: Changchenmo River Valley. The Changchenmo originates in east nearLanak La,flows in China-held area tillKonka Laand thereafter in the India-held area viaTsogstsalu& Hot Springs to its confluence with Shyok River onDarbuk–Shyok–DBO Road(DSDBO Road). Its tributary Kugrang River flows NW-SE entirely within India-held area from Chang-lung La (Changlung La/Pass) and confluences at India-held Hot Springs. Kugrang River's tributary Changlung River flows NE-SW within China-held India-claimed area from Chang-lung Barma La (Changlung Barma La/Pass) and confluences at Gogra pasture (unmarked). (Survey of India, 1916).
Map-R4: The "Depsang Bulge" with China's 1960 claim line to the right and its claim of the "Line of Actual Control" in 2020 to the left.[a]Burtsa Nala flows E-W via Y-junction, Tiannan Gap, Indian Military Post near west of Y-junction to India's Burtsa Patrol Base onDSDBO Roadwhere it confluences with its north to south flowing tributary Depsang Nala and then turns south; flows 4 km to Burtsa Yogma pasture caravan camping ground; then turns west & flows 15 km to its confluences with NW-SE flowingMurgo Nala;after that it flows 9 km southeast to its confluence with Jeong Nala, then flows 7 km south to its confluence atColonel Chewang Rinchen Bridge(CCR Bridge) near Sultan Chushku caravan camp with NW-SE flowing Shyok River coming fromSasser Ladirection.
  • Karakash River:
    originates in China-held and India-claimed area of Depsang Plains of Aksai Chin. Flows entirely in China-held area.
  • Indus River:
    All of India-held Ladakh lies in the basin of Indus River. Indus River is the backbone of Ladakh. All the major places historically and currently such asShey,Leh,Basgo,andTingmosgangare situated close to the river. Many places along the course have witnessed theSino-Indian border dispute.Major tributes of Indus are as follows (from east to west):
    • Charding Nullah:
      inDemchok sector,runs fromCharding Lain south to its confluence with Indus nearDemchokvillage at the base of pyramid shapedDemchok Karpo(also "Demchok Lhari Karpo" ) peak inDemchok sector) in north.Demchok Hot Springis near the confluence. Demchok is reachable via 3 routes:Chushul-Dungti-Fukche-Demchok National Highway(CDFD road) through theChangthang Wildlife Sanctuaryalong the southern bank of theIndus river,[7][8][9]Chismule-Koyul-Umling La-Demchok Road(CKUD Road) 86 km long world's highest motorable road (a title earlier accorded toKhardung Laat 17,600 ft) fromChismuleinKoyul Lungpa river valleyto Demchok via theUmling Lapass (world's highest motorable pass at 19,300 ft (5,900 m)) connecting Demchok toKoyul&Hanle,[10][11][12]Hanle-Fukche-Koyul-Demchok Road(HFKD Road) viaHanle(also see IAO -Indian Astronomical Observatory) &FukcheALG airstrip.
    • Chibra Stream:
      in Demchok sector, flows south to north to confluence with Indus River nearLagankhelon south bank.
    • Koyul Lungpa River:
      runs fromChang Lain south to northwest past Koyul to its confluence with Indus nearFukcheALG on south bank.
    • Chushul Eastern Stream:
      flows west to east fromChushulheights to confluence with Indus River at Loma village near Hanle on west bank.
    • Hanle River:
      originates near theImis Lapass (5,290m or 17,355 ft highsaddle,south ofUkdungleIndian Military base, Zarsar & Tradole peak) on the India-Tibet border and joins the Indus river nearNowiandLomanorth ofHanle River[13]close to the town ofNyoma.
    • Kharnak River:fromPang& Kharnak to Sangtha & Kharna, northeastern flank of Zanskar range.
    • Shyok River:It originates nearKarakoram Passnorth ofDaulat Beg Oldie(DBO). It then collects 5 important tributaries from DBO to its confluence with Changchenmo, each of which originates from ridges & peaks ofKarakoram rangein the China-held disputedAksai Chinarea along theLACand confluence with Shyok in the India-held area. From north to south, first tributary isChip Chap River(inverted C-shaped route from east ofTianwendianin Aksai Chin to DBO, Chapo, Gapshan camp,Saser La,ancient Sultan Chusku caravan camp &Colonel Chewang Rinchen BridgeonDSDBO Road), second tributary of Shyok isBurtsa Nala(its tributaries areDepsang Nalawith confluence atBurtsaPatrol Base,Raki Nalawith confluence at India-heldY-junction,Jeong Nalawith confluence atBurtsa Yogma,Murgo Nalaor Murgo Chu with confluence at Murgo, itself confluences with Shyok River at Sultan Chusku camp &Colonel Chewang Rinchen Bridgeor CCR Bridge), third tributary of Shyok isJeong Nala(also called Jiwan Nala or Nacho Chu & Xidagou, itself a tributary of Burtsa Nala), fourth tributary of Shyok isGalwan River,and the fifth tributary of Shyok isChang Chenmo River(its tributaryKugrang Riverflows within India-held area and confluences at India-heldHot Springsor Kyam & Kayam, andChanglung Rivertributary of Kugrang River flows within China-held Indian-claim area and confluences at India-heldGograpasture). Further downstream, the Shyok River confluences with Chushul Stream atShyok village,then withNubra RivernearDiskit,and finally falls into the Indus River inChorbat Valleyin Pakistan held area. At Saser La (onSasoma–Saser La Road), Shyok River's flow splits into a weaker NW-SE flowing stream which flows parallel to and north of the main flow of Shyok &Murgo Ridge,this weaker stream from Saser La toMurgois called the Murgo Nala. Shyok River and Murgo Nala flowing NW-SE parallel to each other on the west side of "DSDBO Road" meet the N-S flowing Burtsa Nala at Murgo & "CCR Bridge" respectively along the DSDBO Road. Flow along the "DSDBO Road", downstream of "CCR Bridge" is called the Shyok River, its northern upstream flow from India'sBurtsa Patrol Baseis called the Burtsa Nala and its N-S flowing tributary above Burtsa Patrol Base is calledDepsang Nala.The Burtsa Nala originates in and flows E-W within the China-held India-claimed D-shapedDepsang Bulge(Burtsa Bulge) collecting several small streams within the bulge (the entire Depsang Bulge lies immediate east of "DSDBO Road" and within the Depsang Bulge India controls the area till Y-junction), from the Indian Military Camp at Y-junction it flows NW-SW to Burtsa Patrol Base where it confluences with Depsang Nala and turns south flowing along "DSDBO Road" via Burtsa Yogma (confluence with Jiwan Nala) & Murgo (confluence with Murgo Nala) to its confluence with Shyok River at CCR Bridge. From Y-junction confluence,Reki Nalaflows from North and provide access to China-held part of Aksai Chin and a second stream flowing south from Y-junction provides access to the origin of Jiwan Nala via a pass. The region comprising the valley of Shyok andNubra Riversis known as Nubra. The Karakoram Range in Ladakh is not as mighty as inBaltistan.The massifs to the north and east of the Nubra-Siachen valley include the Apsarasas group (highest point 7245 m), the Rimo group (highest point 7385 m) and the Teram Kangri group (highest point 7464 m), together with Mamostong Kangri (7526 m) and Singhi Kangri (7202 m.) North of the Karakoram lie theKun Lun Mountains.Thus, between Leh and eastern Central Asia, there is a triple barrier: the Ladakh Range, the Karakoram range, and the Kun Lun. Nevertheless, a major trade route was established between Leh and Yarkand. Shyok River's tributaries are:
        • Kugrang Riverflows from northwest to southeast within territory held by India, receiving the Changlung River tributary at Gogra and then continuing further south to fall into Chang Chenmo River near Hot Springs.
          • Changlung River,flows from north to southwest in China-held disputed territory, then ends into Kugrang River near the Gogra pasture held by India.
      • Durbuk Stream:
        flows east to west fromTangtseto confluence with Shyok River nearShyokvillage. Upstream at Tangtse, two following streams join to form the Durbuk Stream. These streams originate atPangong Tsoand western side ofChushulHeights respectively.
        • Pangong Stream:
          flows east to west from Pangong Tso, via Muglib, to Tangtse where it joins another stream from western side of Chushul heights and forms Durbuk Stream.
        • Chushul Western Stream:
          flows east to west from Chushul heights to confluence with Pangong Stream at Tangtse to forms Durbuk Stream.
      • Nubra River:
        runs fromSiachen GlaciernearSiachen Base Camp,viaPanamik&Sasoma(starting point ofSasoma–Saser La Roadto DBO in Depsang Plains), to its confluence with Shyok River nearDiskit.Although, geographically the area between Diskit toChalunkais not in Nubra River Valley as it is part of Shyok River itself, culturally it is considered part of the Nubra River Valley as they follow Buddhism. Chalunka toTurtuk(also seeBattle of Turtuk) in India and beyond toKhapluin PoK is called Chorbat Valley which is inhabited by theBalti-speaking Shia Muslims.
      • Chorbat Valley:
        fromChalunka(west of Diskit) toKhapluin PoK is inhabited by Balti-speaking Shia Muslims.
    • Zanskar River:
      3 main tributaries are the Markha north of Padum, Stod (Doda) west ofPadum,and the Lungnak (Tsarap Lingti) east of Padum. Zanskar suffers heavy snowfall, and thePensi Lawhich connects Stod River valley with Suru River valley opens only in June and is blocked again in mid-October. The entire valley is virtually treeless.
      • Markha River:
        tributary of Zanskar River flows Hankar in east to Chilling in west and joins Zanskar River few kilometer south ofNimoonearChilling& Skyu onNimmu–Padum–Darcha road(NPDR). Marka River forms the western side of northern boundary of Zanskar range.
      • Stod River:
        (Doda River): west of Padum, Stod originates fromDrang-drungglacier of Pensi La and flows northwest to southeast through a broad open valley towards confluence with Lungnak River just east of Padum.
      • Lungnak River:
        flows east to west from Ladakh-Himachal-Tibet tri-junction toPadum.Its main tributaries are Tsarap River & Lingti River.
        • Lingti River:
          Lingti River and another tributary (name?) confluence with Lungnak River just north ofBara-lacha-la,after which Lungnak River flows pastPhugtal Monastery.
        • Kurgiak Cho (Kargyak River): descends fromShingo-lanear Himachal-Ladakh-J&K tri-junction, flows south to northeast to confluences with Lungnak River near Gombo Rangjun (Gonbo Rangjon).
        • Tsarap River:
          Lies north of Lungnak River & Kargyak River, west of "Leh-Manali Highway",and east and north of Padum. It flows east to west till Tsarap River is Lungnak River's one of the main tributaries.
    • Aryan ValleynearBatalik:
      The Aryan Valley, situated between Khaltsi and Batalik on the banks of the Indus River, has an average altitude of 2700 meters. The valley's lower elevation, fertile soil, and warmer climate compared to Leh allow it to grow fruits like apricots, mulberries, grapes, and walnuts. It comprises four villages: Dah, Hanu, Garkhun, and Darchik. Dah and Hanu are in Leh district, while Garkhun and Darchik are in Kargil district. These villages are located near the Line of Control (LOC). Dah Valley and Hanu village have an upstream valley around the Indus, where streams join the Indus River. The valley is inhabited by the unique and culturally rich Brokpa people.
    • Suru River:
      Pensi La(4400 metres) nearRangdum Monasteryconnects the Suru Valley in north with Stod River valley and Padum in Zanskar Valley in south. The Suru River originates from area northwest of Padum and flow pastSankoosouthwest to northeast to Kargil, after receiving the combined waters of theDrasandShingo Riversa short distance north ofKargilit confluences with theIndusatMarolinBaltistaninPoK.Saru River forms the western boundary of the Zanskar range. AlthoughRangdum Monastery& Zulidok villages, bith northeast of Pensi La, are in Suru River Valley, culturally they are considered part of Zanskar Valley (Stod Valley). Suru Valley is also the destination of the nomadicBakarwalherdsmen who trek up every summer from theJammuregion.
      • Sankoo Stream: flows east to west from Itchu via Sangroh to join Suru River at Sankoo.
      • Dras River:a downstream tributary of Suru River which confluences at Kaksar (Kakshar, west of Kargil town) in India near LAC.
        • Shingo River:tributary of Dras River. Originates and flows through PoK Gilgit-Baltistan and enters Kargil district in India where it joins the Dras River.
The deep blue Tso Kar (lake) in eastern Ladakh
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  • Landscape in Ladakh, near Pangong Tso
  • View from Chang La Pass
  • View of Leh from Khardung La Road

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^The Line of Actual Control is that marked by the contributors to theOpenStreetMapas of January 2021, and may not be accurate. Chinese claims get more readily represented on the OpenStreetMap than other countries.[6]

References

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  1. ^ab"The Himalayas: Two continents collide".USGS.5 May 1999.Retrieved3 January2015.
  2. ^Mount Everest – Overview and Informationby Matt Rosenberg. ThoughtCo Updated 17 March 2017
  3. ^abcdeIf India loses grip on Kailash Range, PLA will make sure we never get it back,The Print, 12 November 2020.
  4. ^Snehesh Alex Philip,14th round of military talks fails to break Hot Springs logjam, breakthrough 'likely next time',The Print, 13 January 2022.
  5. ^ITBP to Guard Dhan Singh Thapa post near Finger 3 again,Economic Times, 22 February 2021.
  6. ^Vittoria Elliott, Nilesh Christopher,The mysterious user editing a global open-source map in China’s favor,Rest Of World,29 March 2021.
  7. ^BRO starts process for 135-km road near LAC from Chushul to Demchok,News18, 24 Jan 2023.
  8. ^Puri, Luv (2 August 2005)."Ladakhis await re-opening of historic Tibet route".The Hindu.Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2013.
  9. ^Chushul-Demchok road to rein in PLA,The Pioneer, 27 July 2020.
  10. ^"Khardunga La No longer the World's Highest Road. Meet its Successor at 19300 Ft!".3 November 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 3 November 2017.
  11. ^"BRO builds world's highest motorable road in Ladakh at 19,300 feet".2 November 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 2 November 2017.Retrieved2 November2017.
  12. ^"Achievements of West Dte during the F/Y 2016-17"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 7 November 2017.Retrieved2 November2017.
  13. ^Ward, A. E. (1896),The Tourist's and Sportsman's guide to Kashmir and Ladak,Thaker, Spink & Co, pp.113–114 – via archive.org
  14. ^Drew, Frederic (1875).The Jummoo and Kashmir Territories: A Geographical Account.E. Stanford. pp.329–330 – via archive.org.
  15. ^ Ward, A.E. (1896).The Tourist's And--sportsman's Guide to Kashmir and Ladak, &c.Thacker, Spink. p. 106.The Changlung stream joins the Kugrang near Gogra
  16. ^ Hayward, G. W. (1870). "Journey from Leh to Yarkand and Kashgar, and Exploration of the Sources of the Yarkand River".Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London.40:33–37.doi:10.2307/1798640.ISSN0266-6235.JSTOR1798640.(p. 33) 'Kiam' and 'Gogra' located near bottom of last map insert... (p. 37) Chang Chenmo is now well known, being visited every year by at least half-a-dozen officers on long leave to Kashmir. The game to be found...
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide forLadakh.
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