Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 12
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : D
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 -2006)
Disability : 555 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 281 (Census 2001)
Minority : Yes
Brief About Leh (Ladakh) District
LADAKH is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree east latitude
and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude. The region of Ladakh
spread over to an area of 96,701 Sq.Kms and comprising a population
of 2 Lakhs habitants and consists of two districts,Leh and Kargil.
The region of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November
to June every year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh-Monali highways,which
connect Ladakh with the other parts of the country, remain closed
during this period because of snow and rigorous winter.Ladakh
is also the land of many lakes and springs. Among the springs,the
famous are the sulphar springs of Panamic (Nobra), Chumathang
and Puga of Changthang,which are famous for early curing of joints/
rheumatic diseases.Many mineral springs are also found in some
remote parts of Ladakh. People of region use the spring water
as medicine to prevent and cure themselves from many diseases.The
important lakes which fall within the jurisdiction of Ladakh are
Pangong lake (150 Kms.long,4 Kms.wide situated at a height of
14,000 ft.).Tsomoriri lake, (Tsokar means salty lake). Since ancient
times till the end of 1959 salt was being extricated from this
particular salty lake for human consumption.Ladakh has two districts
namely Leh and Kargil which stand in contrast with each other
in terms of geography and climate. The great Himalaya mountain,
lying to the south ,forms a barrier to monsoon in this area.Due
to this region Ladakh is an isolated cold desert region. Altitude
in Ladakh varies from place to place and is the main factor affecting
local climate. The winter temp.touches as low as minus 30 degree(Leh
& Kargil) and minus 60 degree in (Drass) subzero temp.prevails
from December to February throughout Ladakh, whereas,zero degree
temp.is experienced during rest of winter months.This result in
freezing of all conceivable water resources. During summer the
maximum temp.increases from 20 degree C to 38 degree C in July
and August. The relative humidity is low and ranges from 31 to
64 percent.Wind velocity in the afternoon and nights is of high
order resulting in heavy soil errosion with dust storm and snow
blizzards which make life very difficult.Due to longer winters,
the agriculture season is short and spread over from April to
September depending upon the climate.The main river of Ladakh
is Indus,which flows in a north-west direction between Ladakh
and Zanskar ranges.It is joined by several major rivers like Zanskar,Suru
and Shayok before it reaches Pakistan.
Historical Places and Monuments
The most attractive features of the landscape
of Leh are the Buddhist Gompas (monoasteries).The Gompas are situated
on the highest points of the mountain spurs or sprawl over cliffsides,located
in vicinity of villages and provide focus for the faith of Buddhists.The
famous religious places include:-
Hemis
Situated 40 Kms.from Leh,Hemis is the wealthiest,best
known and biggest gompa of Ladakh.The annual festival of the gompa
is held in summer in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary.
It also has the largest thanka(scroll painting on silk or brocade)
in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years.Hemis was built in
1630 A.D.during the reign of Sengge Namgyal and flourished under
the Namgyal dynasty.
Alchi
The gompa is situated on the banks of the Indus,70
Kms from Leh and dates a thousand years back.The gompa os no longer
an active religious centre and is looked after by monks from the
Likir monastery.
Spituk
The gompa stands prominently on the top of a
hillock,8 Kms.from Leh,and commands a panaoramic view of the Indus
Valley for miles.Many icons of Buddha and five thankas are found
in 15th century monastery.There is also a collection of ancient
masks,antique arms,and an awe inspiring image of Mahakal.
Phyang
The monastery is situated 17 Kms.from Leh on
the Leh-Kargil road.It was built by Tashi Namgyal in the later
half of the 16th century A.D.and looks like a place from a distance.The
gompa belongs to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists. Hundreds of
icons of Budha are kept on wooden shelves.
Shey
15 Kms upstream from Leh.The palace is belived
to have been the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings.A 7.5
metre high copper statue of Buddha,plated with gold,and the largest
of its kind,is installed in the palace.
Thikse
The Thikse monastery is spectacularly situated
19 Kms from Leh.It is one of the largest and architecturally most
impressive gompas.The gompa has images,stupas and wall paintings
of Buddha which are exquisite.
Jama Mashid
The historical mosque is situated in the heart
of Leh town.It was built in 1666-67 A.D.consequent to an agreement
between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and then ruler of Ladakh,Deldan
Namgyal.
Leh Palace
The palace is a distinguished monument and a
historical building.The nine- storeyed palace was built by the
17th century illustrious ruler of Ladakh Sengge Namgyal.
Tourist Places
Leh is having a airport which connects it to
the rest of the country. Besides this there is regular bus service
from Srinagar which operates during summer when the Zojila Pass
remains open for traffic. One can also get there in Taxis and
Jeeps via The Srinagar-Leh Highway or the Manali-Leh Highway.
Leh offers a variety of accomodation to suit almost every pocket
or preference The areas of tourist interest are varied and many.
Some of them are as follows:
Cultural Tourism
Visits to the major Buddhist Monastries and other
cultural or heritage sites are the principal tourist attractions
of central Ladakh and Zanaskar. Most of the region's principal
Gompas are open throughout the day and a caretaker Lama is available
to show visitors around. Some of the less visited establishments
have special opening hours , as in the case of Namgyal Tsemo,
Shey Palace, and the Stok Palace Museum.Most of the monstries
charge a small enterance fee. The monastries constitute the fountain
head of Ladakh's Buddhist religion and culture.
Fairs and Festivals of Ladakh also attract a
large number of Tourists. Many of the annual festivals of Gumpas
take place in winter as it is a relatively idle time. The dance
dramas take place in the court yards of Gumpas and Lamas wearing
colourful robes and startling masks perform mimes representing
various heads of the religion. The biggest and the most famous
monastic festivals is of Hemis which falls in late June-July and
is dedicated to Padam Sambhava. Other festivals held in summer
are of Lama-Yuru, in early July, Phiyang in late July, Tak-Thok
after Phiyang and Karsha in Zanskar after Phiyang. Spituk, Stoke,
Thiksey, Chemreay and Matho have their festivals in winter.
Adventure Tourism
Ladakh offers great scope for adventure activities
amidst landscapes of breathtaking beauty . The most popular and
established among these are trekking,mountaineering, and river
rafting.
Trekking
Trekking includes short day long walks up and
down mountain slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic settlements
or across the ridge to enjoy landscape. Or long transmountain
treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness.
The most popular treks are:
Lamayuru in the Indus Valley to Darcha in the
Lahoul across Zanaskar takes nearly 3 weeks.
The 10 day Markha valley trek and the 11 day
Lamayuru-Padam trek and Stok Kangri round trek arer the most popular
among the numerous options available.
Perhaps the most exciting trek in the world is
Hemis-Markha-Padum Trek for 13 days and this calls for elaborate
arrangements.
Various New Areas have also been opened in forms
of circuits . The maximum time allowed on these circuits is 7
days and foreign groups are allowed to go only in groups and accompanied
by a recognized tour operator. The detailed information regarding
going to these circuits can be had from the offices of J &
K Tourism located across the country. These circuits are:
The DROK-PA area circuit: Khaltase-Domkhar-Skurbuchan-Achinathang-Hanudo-Biama-Dah
and return.
The Nubra Valley Circuits: Leh-Khardungla-Khalsar-Tirit-Tegar-Sumur-Panamik
and return. Leh-Khardungla-Khalsar-Deskit-Hundar and return.
The Pangong Lake circuit : Leh-Karu-Changla-Durbuk-Tangse-Lukung-Spangmik
and return.
Tso-moriri lake Circuits : Leh-Upshi-Debring-Puga-Tso-moriri-Korzok
and return , Leh-Upshi- Chumathang-Mahe-Puga-Tso- moriri- Korzok
and return
Depending upon the time and budget you can afford,
ask the Tourist offices at Leh, Kargil or Padum to design a trekking
prgramme for you.
River Rafting
A range of rafting options are available on the
Indus and its major tributaries. The best stretch for the professionally
guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and
Saspol.Beyond Saspol river becomes difficult. The most difficult
and exciting option for river running is on the Zanskar along
its spectacular course through the Gorge in the Zanskar mountains
between Padam and Nimo.
Mountain Climbing
The area most frequented by tourists is the Nun-Kun
Massif in the great Himalayan range and is easily accesible from
Kargil-Padum road. he area nearest to Leh is the Stok-Khangri
Massif in the Zanskar mountains, south of Leh. North of Leh, across
the Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley, lies the Karakoram range.
The climbing season extends from mid-May to mid-October, the ideal
period being from June to September.
