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Synopsis The arid tracts lying in the rain-shadow of the main Himalayan range are commonly referred to as cold deserts. They include the trans-Himalayan areas lying across the towering main Himalayan mountain wall and the inner dry valleys within this range; both of which fall in the rain-shadow of the soaring mountains, thereby remaining largely uninfluenced by the monsoon system that brings rain to other parts of India. The cold deserts of India include Ladakh (J&K); Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur and Bharmour (H.P.); pockets of northern Uttarakhand (U.P.); and Sikkim. These regions have a unique physical, biological, hydrological and anthropological setting that is markedly different from that of the adjoining regions. This book deals with the regional geography, climate, soils, rivers, lakes, glaciers, geology, vegetation, pasturelands, wildlife and protected areas, history, communities, religion, festivals and fairs, socio-economic set-up, environmental problems, and places of interest. The book provides useful and handy information on the cold desert regions of India.