Life in Deserts and Formation of Oases Quiz

Formation of Depressions and Oases

• Depressions are formed when wind blows away sand, and oases are formed when underground water reaches the surface in these depressions.
• Oases are fertile areas where people can settle and grow crops like date palms.

Ladakh: The Cold Desert

• Ladakh is a cold desert located in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is surrounded by the Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south.
• Several rivers, including the Indus, flow through Ladakh, forming deep valleys and gorges.
• The altitude in Ladakh varies from 3000m in Kargil to over 8000m in the Karakoram.

Climate and Geography

• The climate in Ladakh is extremely cold and dry due to its high altitude.
• The air is thin, and the heat of the sun can be felt intensely.
• Day temperatures in summer are just above zero degrees, and night temperatures can drop below -30°C.
• In winters, temperatures can remain below -40°C for most of the time.
• Ladakh receives little rainfall, around 10 cm every year, due to its location in the rain shadow of the Himalayas.

Flora and Fauna

• Vegetation is sparse due to high aridity, with only scanty patches of grasses and shrubs.
• Groves of willows and poplars are found in the valleys, and fruit trees like apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom in the summer.
• Several species of birds, including robins, redstarts, and Tibetan snowcocks, are found in Ladakh.
• Animals like wild goats, wild sheep, yaks, and special kinds of dogs are found in Ladakh, and are reared for milk, meat, and hides.

People and Culture

• The people of Ladakh are either Muslims or Buddhists.
• They are skilled in making use of all available resources, with nothing being discarded or wasted.
• The people of Ladakh have a resemblance to the inhabitants of Tibet and Central Asia.
• Ladakh is also known as Khapa-chan, which means "snow land".
• The Chiru or Tibetan antelope is an endangered species found in Ladakh, hunted for its wool.

Test your knowledge about the formation of oases in deserts, the significance of water bodies in arid regions, and the characteristics of oases like Tafilalet Oasis in Morocco. Explore how people adapt to desert environments and utilize oases for agriculture.