Hemis National Park This is a high altitude protected area created in 1981 in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. It covers an area of 600 sq. kms in the Markha and Rumbak valleys. Very bleak and desolate conditions prevail in this park. The terrain is rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Dry alpine pastures are present in sheltered locations . Grass growth is relatively rapid during the summer season after the melting of the snow.

The monastery of Hemis, at the heart of the National Park Credit: Yann Caloz

There are many U-shaped valleys which have been carved by glacial action in the past. Rivers and streams have laid a thick deposit of sand along their banks. The general elevation is over 3000 m.

The climatic conditions vary from sub-arctic to arctic. Rainfall is low and the bulk of the total annual precipitation is in the form of snow. In winter the mercury drops to far below the freezing point. Very heavy snowfall is received in this tract , and the snow remains on the ground for several months at a stretch. Summers are short and mild while there is no marked rainy season.

Chorten in the Hemis region Credit: Pierre Dezes

Dry forests of juniper, birch and fir are found in the region. Along with that alpine grasslands and scrublands are also present. Many rare and endangered animal species of the cold desert area are found in this national park which is the home of an interesting assemblage of cold desert fauna. Amongst these are the snow leopard, Tibetan wild ass or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope. Amongst the birds found in this national park are the snow cock, snow partridge and golden oriole.

Pin Valley National Park
This national park encompasses the Pin valley of Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. It is a typical cold desert. The Pin valley national park was constituted in 1984 to conserve and preserve the rare flora and fauna of the region. A considerable part of the area of this national park is covered by snow throughout the year.

The elusive snow leopard Credit: Rajesh Shrestha

High peaks towering to elevations of over 6000 m hem this region. The terrain has been shaped by glacial action over the past thousands of years. Important features include razorsharp ridges, hanging valleys and glacial depressions.

The climatic conditions prevailing in this tract vary from arctic to sub-arctic. The influence of the South West monsoons that gives rain to most of India is absent and hence rainfall is low. A major part of the annual precipitation is in the form of snow. Vegetative growth starts after the melting of the snow in summer, around mid-June.

The main vegetation types found in this national park a include dry temperate mixed forests, dry temperate coniferous forests, sub-alpine forest and dry alpine scrub and pasture lands.

This vegetation serves as the principal habitat and food of many interesting animals found in the Pin valley national park.Amongst the rare animals found here are the snow leopard which was believed to have been abundant in the past, though in the recent past occasional sightings have taken place. Other animals include wild yak, wild sheep and goats, snow cock, snow partridge, golden eagle and Himalayan griffon.