Ladakh

About Ladakh:

• Ladakh is a region in the north west of India.
• It extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the main Great Himalayas to the south.
• Contemporary Ladakh borders Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti regions to the south, the Vale of Kashmir, Jammu and Baltiyul regions to the west, and the southwest corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north.
• Aksai Chin, currently administered by China is also part of the Ladakh region.
• Tibetan Buddhists (39.7%), Hindus (12.1%) (46.4%) are Muslims (46.4%, mainly Shia) form the main religious groups in Ladakh.

Flora and Fauna of Tibet

• Ladakh is home to many unique species. These include:
  • Bharal or blue sheep.
  • Tibetan argali or Nyan, the largest wild sheep in the world.
  • Tibetan antelope / chiru traditionally hunted for its wool (shahtoosh).
  • The kiang, or Tibetan wild ass

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Tibetan Antelope:
1.It is also known as the kiang.
2.Shahtoosh, a traditional wool is made from Tibetan Antelope.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question