Safeguards of Ladakhs Cultural Heritage

"Natural and Cultural heritage of Ladakh taught us how to live in love, harmony and friendship with all..."

The arid land of Ladakh truly reflects the age old beliefs of Buddhism evident through the mesmerising colourful Prayer Flags fluttering over the vast expanse of otherwise bland snow desert. It is a land of rich culture, traditional knowledge and natural wonders. The strength of locals to tolerate the geographical and climatic extremities often leaves the visitors flabbergasted. Ladakhis are the proud possessors of a hypnotising heritage.

Ironically, a Ladakhi, instead of feeling proud, is more likely to be saddened, rejecting any discussion on Ladakhi heritage as yet another vacant promotional effort. For the tourism industry has, over the years, adversely affected the pristine land of Ladakh. Mass tourism has acted as a powerful catalyst for change that is extremely challenging, unsustainable and seemingly irrevocable. Ladakh has received an overflow of appreciation and only a handful of criticism. To a sensitive onlooker, this raises an alarm about the future; many fear that the coming years will be plagued by pollution and a crumbling traditional society, overrun by the intrusion of foreign culture.

In the past few years, this unique culture has suffered great losses and the indigenous communities, intentionally or unintentionally, have included themselves in the fold of unchecked globalisation, further damaging their cultural wealth. The damage, however, is not irreversible and the local communities themselves have taken a step forward to restore what has been lost and save what is vulnerable at the moment.

The most crucial role in managing the change to protect the traditional wisdom and environment heritage of Ladakh is presently being played by the alarmed older generation. Young Ladakhis, the elders stoically maintain, are easily influenced by the glamour of the alien culture that overpowers the austerity of their own culture. The elders understand the significance of the cultural as well as the natural heritage and thus make sure that they pass on the wisdom to the young lot.

Initially, they would present and perform folk dances only on some occasions. The startling rise in the number of travellers increased the worries of the Ladakhis, leading to more frequent organising of such cultural gatherings. Along with the traditional forms of songs and dances, they chose theatre as a medium to reflect their issues. This caught the imagination of the young generation. It gave the youngsters a platform not only to understand and appreciate their deep rooted culture but to put forth their own ideas, thus developing a better understanding within the community.

It is really commendable to see how wisely, the culturally aware citizens in the region have found new and interesting ways to create an engaging space where people can share their experiences, keeping culture, tradition and nature as the background. One such trend, seen during the festive seasons, is where people from remote locations come to participate in the ethnic programmes organised in the town and perform diverse rituals. One gets to see an amalgamation of various local cultures of Ladakh which also depicts the unity in diversity. This undoubtedly fascinates as well as helps develop a sense of responsibility among the community members to preserve this diversity.

The enthralled groups visit the Gompas and other heritage sites together and organise discussions later on how to maintain the serenity of these places. "We explore the hidden aspects of our historical places. Walking down the lanes of our ancestral villages along with our grandparents and their friends, helps us understand how things have changed since their youthful days. This, at times, makes us feel ashamed of how we have ignored our heritage, both cultural and natural," says Stanzing Kunzang Angmo, a young Ladakhi studying in Jammu, who took inspiration from the initiatives and is determined to play her role in safeguarding the legacy of her people.

The task of the local communities in conserving their heritage is not limited to imparting knowledge; they have, in fact, designed a sustainable framework wherein they focus on strengthening the leadership quality in select members of the community who have it in them to take on the onerous task of protecting their common wealth.

Sustainable growth demands mutual exchange of ideas and this makes this community effort more influential. The elderly are open to new ideas and ventures. They accept feasible points and try to inculcate them in their traditional ideology, thus maintaining the unusual combination of the old and the new in their ancient heritage.

The tourism industry is crucial for Ladakh as a source of livelihood. At the same time, it is posing a colossal threat to its cultural and environment legacy. One cannot entirely reject the importance of tourism industry in the economic stability of the region, nor can the natural and cultural ethnicity be compromised with. The situation demands a balanced solution. The answer to this lies in the warm hospitality offered by Ladakhis. A balance can be maintained by creating a healthy foundation based on humanity; it is the responsibility of everyone involved with the tourism sector to make tourists aware of how valuable - and special - the local heritage really is. For those who love - and visit - Ladakh for the peace it offers, being sensitive to its importance in the lives of the people is the least they can do in return.

No government or non government organisation can contribute to the conservation of the society without the participation of the local communities. They know their land, its strengths and weaknesses. More than anything else, they know that they owe their lives to this barren land. This alone is reason enough for the community initiatives to be strengthened by locals and visitors alike.

Trees and bushes of jammu kashmir

Trees and bushes are perennial source of greenery, sometimes evergreen, sometimes leafless, sometimes colourful, sometimes laden with snow. Flowering trees of J&K are many but majestic grandeur of Chinar trees is distinct in the green landscape of Kashmir. Botanically identified as Plantanus orientalis (Oriental Plane), Chinar tree changes moods in changing seasons, colourful to lush green, sometimes laden with sheen (snow). It stands planted in some locations of Jammu as well,it is seen planted in Kishtwar, Bhaderwh, Udhampur and even in Jammu. Willows and poplars also add to the charm, standing as sentinels all along roads, highway and canal banks. Locally called Veer and Frast in Kashmiri and Bedda and Safeda in Dogri, Willows and poplars add considerably to the economy of Jammu &Kashmir.

Mughal gardens of Kashmir Srinagar in particular boast of the appealing evergreen trees like Magnolia grandiflora which gets decorated with snowhite blooms of matchless grandeur during summer months. Jammu city has also added Magnolias in the parks and gardens .Magnolia liliflora/soulangena is another shubby plant bearing maroon flowers during early spring months. Magnolias are exotic to Kashmir but are nicely naturalized.

Sheepberries are wild as well as cultivated shrubs which are important source of wild food for our wildlife. These shrubs and small trees belong to Genus Viburnum. Viburnum grandiflorum, commonly called Kulmaansh in Kashmiri, Teldi or Tyond in Dogri and Guchh in Gojri is common in Shankracharya, Zabarwan, Dachigam, Doda,Poonch,Udhampur forests. When snow is about to melt, these bushes get decorated with fragrant pink blooms attraching all kinds of bees and insects. Its garden relative seen in Srinagar Colonies and parks is Viburnum opulus, commonly called as snowball or Guelder Rose of great handsome beauty. Its grandeur is exhilarating.Viburnum mullaha is also seen in Jammu forests,it is called Sallalan in Dogri,its fruits are blood red in colour.Viburnum cotinifolium is seen in Trikuta hills.

Roses are common shrubs with historic antiquity. Nurjahan who used to adore rose beauty is credited with the discovery of Attar of Roses. Several graden varieties have been naturalized over the years but our wild species are equally impotant as they decorate wilderness. Rosa brunonii commonly called "Musk Rose" is quite abundant in J&K hills and Kishtwar or Dachigam National Park. It is climbing rose with highly fragrant white blooms. Honey bees get attracted in thousands to add flavour to the honey collected. Rosa webbiana is another wild rose bush which produces attractive pink red blooms in the forest glades and shrubberies in our forests. Syringa is beautiful shrub of Kashmir, its wild species Syringa emodi is seen at tourist spots like Toshmaidan, Gulmarg, Sonamarg but stands introduced in Gardens of Kashmir. Department of Floriculture has added Syringa persica (Persian Lilac), Syringa vulgaris and Syringa laciniata to add colour and charm to the city landscape. Hydrangea is most popular garden shrub which bears pink and blue flower clusters arranged as attractive balls to attract visitors.

Buddlejas is a group of Butterfly bushes fondly growing in city landscape of Kashmir. Buddleja davidii is most attractive and is seen throughout.Buddleja asiatica with white fragrant blooms and Buddleja crispa with mauve pink blooms are seen in the wild and are native to Himalayas.

False witch Hazel, Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana commonly called as Pohu or Hatab in Kashmiri grows wild in coniferous forests. It is most common in places like Bhaderwah, Bani, Poonch, Padder, Machel, Machhil, ,Dachigam, Kupwara, Pahalgam. Its utility in Kangri making makes this shrub important for Kashmir economy. Indigofera heterantha is also prized for Kangri making and grows throughout hills in J&K. Indigofera cassioides is another species found in Jammu region.

Wild walnut, Juglans regia is unique to J&K forests, seen commonly in Padder, Dachigam, Gurez forests. Alongwith its wild germplasm, walnuts are cultivated throughout Kashmir. Many cultural traditions are intimately linked with Walnut, commonly called Dun in Kashmiri. Another fascinating tree locally called Hundun or Handoon in Kashmiri,Bankhodi in Pahadi, Goon or Guggu in Dogri is Horse Chestnut Tree which is quite common in mountains. This tree has palmately lobed foliage fondly eaten by Kashmir Red Deer, Hangul, hence its name Handun means Walnut of Hangul. Trees are seen planted at few locations along highway between Khannabal to Batwara and Chashmashahi environs.

Catalpa bignonioides is another flowering tree seen planted in the city Environment of Srinagar. Judas tree is unique in bearing dense clusters of pink purple blooms when it is completely leafless. It has been introduced in Kashmir University Campus and at several places in Nishat, Shalimar and Chashmashahi Gardens of Srinagar.

Hawthorn is another tree which grows in Kashmir and is introduced in gardens for decoration. Botanically called Crataegus songarica, its Kashmiri name is Ringkul or Ring. It is a spiny tree of Rose family Rosaceae and produces white blooms and red fruits. Its another garden variety introduced in Chashmashahi Garden produces deep pink flowers during summer time.Cotoneaster bacillaris locally called Reu,Reunsar is another useful timber tree but also seen under worship at Jyodeaayan Mata Temple at Bani in J&K.Prunus cornuta and prunus cerasoides are wild species in Jammu forests,wood of latter is aromatic and used in religious and medicinal purposes.Prunus tomentosa locally called Bushkand is seen growing wild in Dachigam National Park,its fruits tastes like cherry and are useful for kidney ailments.

Among Acacias, Australian Acacia, False Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) are seen in our city Environment. Oaks are not found wild in Kashmir but several species like Quercus leucotrichopora (White oak), Quercus baloot ( Holly oak), Quercus glauca ( Japanese Oak), Quercus floribunda ( Moru oak),Quercus semecarpifolia (Kharsu Oak ) are seen in forests of Jammu.Quercus robur is seen planted in Dachigam area of Srinagar. Cypress, cupressus sempervirens and Royal Palm, Roystonea regia stand majestic in all old parks and gardens.

Trees are great asset to our surroundings as they add to aesthetic charm, fight vehicular pollution, act as green lungs and do carbon sequestration. Trees when in bloom attract birds, bees, butterflies and beetles for accomplishing pollination to effect seed production for perpetuating their progeny. Trees keep surroundings clean, green and healthy for human beings and add glory and charm to our survival mileu, God's greatest gifts indeed.

Nubra Valley in Ladakh

In Nubra there is an ancient Gompha, about 350 years old at Dikshit town. This Gompha is known for having spectacular view of the whole valley from its roof top.        ( Kashmir )

The road to the Nubra valley of Ladakh region passes through Khardung La which is considered the highest( 18380 ft or 5600m) motor able road in the world, from Leh, a distance of 170km. While going up in a vehicle on this road one feels out of breath in these rarefied air. Although, the duration of the drive in such rarefied air hardly lasts for an hour. There is nothing to worry on this context. But the awesome bareness of long mountain ranges around, with varying shades of colours on the ridges, dotted with small green patches of hamlet make the whole area picturesque. The view from Khardung La is surpassing. One sees endless peaks of Zansker ranges spread out in the front and the magnificent Saser Massif looming large overhead in the North.

Nubra has a fertile land. It was originally part of the trade route between Turkistan and Tibet. The valley produces fruits such as apples, apricots, walnuts and grapes. Besides this, grain and mustard are cultivated here. With scanty vegetation and virtually no rainfalls, special breed of sheeps are reared here which produce a special wool known for famous Pashmina or Karakul. Seabuck thorn is visible in large areas with lilac hue over the vast expanse of land make good scope for juices. River Nubra and river Shyok, both meander lazily through this broad and fertile land, often making way through the sandy beds, flowing northwest to join the river Indus in Baltistan(Pakistan).The altitude of Nubra Valley is a little less than that of Leh, between 10,000 ft or 3,050m at Hunder and 10,600ft or 3,230m at Panamik, with the summer temperature ranging between 15 to 20 degree C.             ( Gulmarg )

Double humped Bactrian camels are found in this remotest area of village Hunder in Nubra valley in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Anthropologist say that these double humped Bactrian camels are the left over breed of the camels that were used for transporting trade consignments in ancient times through the 'Silk Route', that connected Tibet-Turkistan-Central Asia and Roman empire at the other end. From India foreign travelers used to import cotton, spices, perfumes, sugar and opium. In return they exported silk, Chinese pottery, sheep wool and a special kind of meat, locally called 'dumbkath'(sheep).

These creatures abandoned in village Hunder, by the then passing caravans on the 'Silk Route' have been domesticated by some families for whom these double humped camels have become source of earning. The climatic condition, the geographical contours and surrounding of incredible sand dunes and long wide patches of sandy soil, dotted with thorny shrubs akin to the Sahara desert are conducive for the growth of this species. By appearance these animals are strong. They have a thick coating of fur which can sustain them to brave the harsh winter when temperature dips to minus 20 degrees and above in winters. These species are found in less numbers.

These animals are being used by foreigners as well as locals for their joy ride, along the sandy banks of river Nubra in the area, the last point for civilian movement. The road beyond this village leads to the Siachen glacier base. These camels are also used in winters and summers by the Indian army to carry luggage and ration from one point to another.         ( Adventure Tourism in kashmir )

In Nubra there is an ancient Gompha, about 350 years old at Dikshit town. This Gompha is known for having spectacular view of the whole valley from its roof top. Hunder village is 7km ahead from Dikshit town. The Gompha houses over 90 monks.

The other place of interest in Nubra valley is Panamik, a place of hot springs. Panamik is ahead of Tigre and Sumur villages in this far flung area. Samanling gompha, more than 150 years old, is easily approachable by road and even by foot from village Tigre. In Tigre village a women cooperative society performs cultural shows for tourists. They also sell hand spun and knitted garments to visitors. The money earned is used for the welfare of womenfolk in the region. The area is rich in poplar trees and the green belt has become a good nestling ground for various Himalayan birds and other migratory birds.

Camping facilities are available for staying at Hunder, Tigre and Sumur villages. At Dikshit and Nubra, good hotel accommodation is available.      ( World's highest motorable pass )

How to visit:-

Delhi to Leh by Air

From Leh to Nubra by road

Second choice:

By road from Delhi-Manali-Rohtang Pass-Leh( 2 days)

worlds highest motorable pass

World's highest motorable pass are ocated in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh. some time back Ladakh used to be an alien place for us and we had only heard of the great warrier General Zorawar Singh's expeditions to Tibet through Ladakh through our elders.

Khardung La (La means “ Mountain Pass ” in Tibetan language) is located at an altitude of 18,380 feet above sea level. The local pronunciation is "Khardong La" or "Khardzong La," but, as with most names in Ladakh, the spelling varies. Historically, it is quite important, as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Chinese Central Asia . The pass itself lies North of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra Valleys (the latter is home to the Siachen Base camp). A branch of the famous Silk Route used to pass through Khardung La centuries back. The Yakandis, Tsaqandis and Mongolians used to bring merchandise like silk goods, opium, and carpets to Leh, which has been a central business place. And in exchange they would take Indian cotton clothes, raw cotton, sugar, gur etc.

About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen in the area north of the pass, mute witnesses to history. During World War II there was a futile attempt to transfer war material to China through this route.

When Ladakh came under British rule, a Joint Commissioner was appointed during 1867 to look after the administration. The Britishers also gave due attention to this route and maintained the bridle path over Khardung La. The motorable road was constructed during sixties and was opened to motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. The wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and the Siachen Glacier issue gave further importance to the Khardung La road.

The journey to Khardung La from Leh is 37 kms and takes about one-and-half-hours to reach. The first 24 km as far as the South Pullu check point, are paved. From there to the North Pullu check point about 15 km beyond the pass the roadway is primarily loose rock, dirt, and occasional rivulets of snow melt.

From North Pullu into the Nubra Valley , the road is very well maintained (except in a very few places where washouts or falling rock occur). Hired vehicles (2 and 4-wheel-drive), heavy trucks, and motorcycles regularly travel into the Nubra Valley , though special permits may need to be arranged for travellers to make the journey.

At south Pullu an army TCP stops all the vehicles and an entry is made in their registers. If you are moving only up to Khardung La, you don’t need an Inner Line Permit (the permit to visit some prohibited areas). But if you are planning to move across Khardung La, then an ILP is compulsory and it can be obtained either from the Leh Deputy Commissioner or the SSP’s office. ( Dal Lake )

In South Pullu , one finds some facilities that seem to be a luxury in this difficult terrain - a tea shop, rest rooms, hot water etc. One can never imagine that sipping a hot cup of tea can be so heavenly in cold dizzy heights.Khardung La is a mini tourist stop with jeeps and bikes, and even a souvenir shop! Most travellers go up to Khardung La only to see the world’s highest motorable pass, buy some souvenirs from the souvenir shop, click some pictures and come back.

There is a temple of Lord Shiva at the top. The soldiers crossing the Pass stop here and pay their obeisance to the Lord of the Himalayas . The Tibetan Religious Flags with mantras on them flutter atop the Pass. The general belief here is that with the wind, these mantras spread to all the directions taking with them good positive vibrations.

There is a "Rinchen tea stall" at K-Top that serves some high altitude tea and snacks - mainly Maggi noodles. Other than that the main thing to do here is to take a photo next to the “World’s Highest Motorable Road ” sign. Acute Mountain Sickness is a serious risk and visitors are not recommended to spend too long at the top. But needless to say, the views from the top are stunning. Due to its sheer height, the pass gives you jaw dropping views of deep valleys and narrow twisting roads and high altitude traffic jams.

On the other side, after crossing the Pass is North Pullu . From South Pullu to the North Pullu check-point about 10 kms beyond the pass the roadway is primarily loose rock, dirt, and occasional rivulets of melted snow, mainly because the Pass remains snowbound all the time.

It is very difficult to cross the Pass in winter, especially for big vehicles like the Stallion of the army, as many feet of snow accumulate here. And then the snow freezes on the road making the vehicle prone to skidding. Chains are tied to the tyres to prevent the vehicles from skidding off the road and also facilitate them to move through the snow.Though Khardung La receives heavy snowfall, the Himank (Border Roads Organization) keeps it open round the year as all the essential supplies to Siachen troopers go from here only.

If you are traveling to Khardung La, the ideal time is summer. Do take an ample stock of batteries with you as extreme cold conditions tend to exhaust your batteries. And don’t forget to cover yourself well, especially your head as one faces drowsiness, hangovers, high altitude fever, vomiting when traveling through this high altitude region.Road connectivity to the Pass is through Manali and Srinagar and daily flights operate from Delhi and bi-weekly from Jammu . From Leh, a daily bus service to Nubra Valley plies through Khardung La.