CHAPTER 10: LIFE IN THE DESERTS

COMPARATIVE STUDY: SAHARA HOT DESERT AND COLD

DESERT OF LADAKH
Aspect Sahara Desert
Location Covers North Africa, spanning
countries such as Algeria, Chad,
Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania,
Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and
Western Sahara.
Size The world's largest hot desert,
covering approximately 8.54 million
square kilometers.
Continent Africa
Climate Scorching hot temperatures during
the day, often reaching up to 50°C,
with nights cooling down
significantly. Scarce rainfall with a
short rainy season.
The sky is cloudless and clear.
Days are extremely hot.
Vegetation Features vegetation such as cactus,
date palms, and acacia trees, along
with oasis areas supporting more
diverse plant life.
Animal Species Fauna includes camels, hyenas,
jackals, foxes, snakes, and lizards,
adapted to the harsh desert
environment.
People Inhabited by various groups,
including nomadic tribes like
Bedouins and Tuaregs, engaged in
activities such as nomadic herding
They prepare leather from hides.
This leather is used in making belts,
slippers, and water bottles. They use
the hair of these animals in making
mats, carpets, clothes and blankets.
The people of the Sahara desert
wear heavy robes to protect
themselves from the dust storms
and hot winds.
The oasis in the Sahara desert and
the Nile valley in Egypt support the
Ladakh Cold Desert
Situated in the Great Himalayas, primarily
within the Indian union territory of Jammu
and Kashmir.
Specific size data not provided, but smaller
compared to the Sahara Desert.
Asia
Extremely cold and dry climate, with day
temperatures rising above zero degree and the
night temperatures are below -30°C. The area
experiences freezing winds and burning hot
sunlight. Winters are extremely cold with
temperatures below -40°C for most of the time.
Minimal precipitation primarily in the form of
snow. It is as low as 10 cm every year.
Sparse vegetation, including grasses, shrubs,
fruit trees like apple and apricot, and groves of
willows and poplars in valleys.
Home to wild goats, wild sheep, yaks, and
various bird species, each uniquely adapted to
survive in the cold, high-altitude environment.
Population consists primarily of Muslims and
Buddhists.
In the summer season the people of the Ladakh
desert are busy in cultivation work. They grow
crops such as barley, potatoes, peas, beans and
turnips.
The climate during winters is very harsh and
people keep themselves engaged in festivities
and ceremonies. The women manage the house
and fields with great efficiency.
They also manage small businesses and shops
as well as engaging in tourism-related
activities.
 settled population. Since water is
available, people grow date palms.
They also grow rice, wheat, barley
and beans.

Resources Rich in resources like oil and
minerals such as iron, phosphorus,
manganese, and uranium, which
contribute to economic development
but also pose environmental
challenges.
Cultural Cultural landscape is evolving with
Landscape modernization, seen in the
coexistence of ancient traditions with
modern infrastructure and economic
activities.
Economic Economic activities include nomadic
Activities herding, settled agriculture, oil
extraction, and mineral mining,
alongside emerging sectors like
tourism and industrialization.
Faces resource scarcity, particularly in water
and fuel, shaping traditional practices and
emphasizing conservation and sustainability.
Emphasizes balance and harmony with nature,
reflected in cultural practices, religious
traditions, and the preservation of ancient
monasteries.
Economy revolves around agriculture, tourism,
and traditional practices, with efforts to
balance economic development with
environmental conservation.