Leh - Climate Responsive Architecture

1. PRESENTED BY,
ANKITA GOEL, FARHAN ASIM, MERAJ HUSSAIN RIZVI, NISHANT SONKAR, POONAM BISHT,
POOJA PANDEY & NISHANT SAXENA

2. Cold and Dry climate is a climate that is very cold and the precipitation is too low to sustain any
vegetation at all, or at most a very scanty shrub.
Found in temperate zones, almost always in the rain shadow of high mountains which restrict
precipitation from the westerly winds, or in the case of Central Asia, from the monsoon

3. • Cold desert climates are very hot and dry in the summer, winter they are brutally cold and dry
• Cold deserts frequently experience snow.
• Lying in the Great Himalayas in India also has a cold desert climate
• Mountainous, has little vegetation
• Solar radiation is generally intense with a very low percentage of diffuse radiation.
• Summer –
17 – 24 ºC Maximum
4 – 11 ºC Minimum
• Winters –
• -7 to 8 ºC Maximum
-14 to 0 ºC Minimum
• R.H - 10 – 50 %
• Precipitation - ≤ 200 mm per annum
• Cloud cover - 50%.
Ladakh lies on the rain shadow side of the Himalayan. Where dry monsoon winds reaches Leh after
being robbed of its moisture in plains and the Himalayan mountain. The district combines the condition
of both arctic and desert climate.
Therefore Ladakh is often called “ COLD DESERT”

4. LATITUDE – 34⁰ N

6. Climate changes – last 30 years

7. Climate changes – last 30 years
PRECIPITATION

9. Effects of Global Warming on Cold Deserts
• Declining rainfall of 5 to 15% (Australia’s Great Victoria desert, the Atacama and the Colorado Great Basin)
• Paradoxically areas such as the Gobi will experience a 10-15% increase in rainfall.
• An average of an increase of 3ºC in air temperature annually.
• Diversion of large rivers that cross deserts to provide water to nearby cities and farms.
• Construction of roads, settlement expansion and other development in nearby areas.
• Desert plants are a potential source of new medicines and have not yet been explored in depth. Global
warming may well destroy this untapped possible source of anti-cancer and anti-malarial compounds
• Damming of the large rivers that cross deserts cause downstream water supplies to dry up, having a serious
impact on flood plains and river ecology.
• Rising water tables underneath the irrigated soils are prone to contamination due to increase in salt content
as seawater seeps into underground water.

10. • Gobi desert, China, South Mongolia
• Atacama desert, Chile & Peru
• Taklamakam desert, China
• Patagonian desert, Chile & Argentina
• Karakum desert, Turkmenistan, central asia

12. TRANSPORTATION
• Leh can be reached by air from New Delhi,
Chandigarh , Jammu & Srinagar.
• In Summer Rothangpass will open, from
Manali you can go by road. The state
transport buses will ply from Manali to Leh,
only in Summer (June-September)
• Best mode of transportation around Leh is
Jeep.
• Leh Taxi & Jeeps have union, so all the rates
almost same.

13. TRANSPORTATION
•Srinagar - Leh - 434 Km
Manali - Leh - 473 Km
Srinagar - Kargil - 204 Km
Delhi - Leh - 1047 Kms
Leh - Kargil - 234 Km
Kargil - Padum (Zanskar) - 240 Km
Leh - Deskit (Nubra Valley) - 118 Kms.

14. LIFESTYLE
• People of this region have a cheerful
disposition and are peace-loving.
• According to the 1971 census, the
population of Ladakh was estimated at
105,000.
• Fifty-five percent of the Ladakhis are
Buddhist by faith and the rest are
Muslims.

15. LIFESTYLE
• Ladakh is known as the 'land of the Lamas' and the Buddhist of Ladakh prefer to call
their religion Lamaism - which is much the same as Mahayana (or Great vehicle) form of
Buddhism.
• Religion pervades the life of Ladakhis and dominates their life-style.
• The people of Ladakh have a system of dedicating at least one person from each family
to priesthood, i.e. to be a Lama. The female monk is called Chomo.
• The Dalai Lama of Tibet is to them the chief spiritual head.

16. FOOD
• Vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkins, beetroots, and beans are cooked in a variety of
different ways and accompany meat dishes.
• Mutton and chicken are the commonly consumed types of meat in Ladakh.
• The staple food of Ladakhi people are Sku and Thukpa (made of wheat flour), Pava
(made of sattu) and khambir (local bread).

17. FOOD
• There are also many bakeries in Ladakh where you can buy freshly baked bread and
enjoy eating it with locally made Apricot Jam.
• There are many restaurants in Leh, where you can have an international meal or choose
from Tibetan or Ladakhi fare if you prefer.

18. • Very dry land, Vegetation is bare minimum
• Natural vegetation occurs along water courses and
on high altitude areas that receive more snow
The vegetation includes the ‘Seabuckthorn’, wild
roses of pink or yellow varieties, Tamarisk, Mint etc’,
Juniper trees can also be found growing in the wild
In the areas of human settlement there are lush fields
and trees which have been planted and irrigated well
Here the vegetation also expands and one gets to see
crops like ‘Barley, Peas, Wheat and even fruits like
Grapes
FLORA & FAUNA
Junipers –
Height – 5m – 15m
Trunk Diameter – 2m
Sea-buckthorns –
Height – 0.5m – 6m
 Used for barrier
hedges and
windbreaks, and to
stabilize riverbanks
and steep slopes

19. FLORA - The majority of plants that exist in this biome are deciduous with spiny leaves. Plant
height varies from 15 to 122 centimeters being widely scattered among the land.
Ladakh has a great many species of birds considering the fact
that it is such an arid desert. A total of 225 species have been
recorded so far, and these include
Finches Raven
Robins Red-billed Chough
Redstarts
Hoopoe
Some of the resident water-birds include the
Brahminy Duck
Bar-headed Goose
The ‘Golden Eagle’ is a common raptors here.

20. Many of the large animals like
•Yak
•Bharal (the blue sheep)
•Urial (Smallest sheep)
•have natural coat of thick fur that helps protect them in the harsher climates
Many of the other mammals include the
• Tibetan Sand Fox
•Eurasian Lynx
•Tibetan Wild-Ass
•Tibetan Wolf
•Snow Leopard
As beautiful is the terrain of Ladakh so is the ‘Flora’ and ‘Fauna’.

21. a) ANAPHALIS TRIPLINERVIS :
 Herbaceous perinnial plant .
 Attractive, but not brilliant displays of bloom in late summer and fall.
 Hanging them in a cool, airy, shaded place,
 Flower buds are eaten raw as salads.
b) BERBERIS LYCEUM ROYLE :
 Region to Himalyas is widely used like food and in folk medicine.
c) LACTUCA SATIVA :
 Annual plant .
 Lettuce is easily cultivated, requires low temperatures to prevent it from flowering quickly.
 Used for salads ,and other food items.
 Height and spread of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm).
d) RUMEX PATIENTIA :
 Use in leather tanning, while leaves and stems are used for
a mordant-free mustard-colored dye
 These plants are edible

22. 1.INDUS VALLEY
Indus valley is the most populated and the central valley of Leh district of
Ladakh region. The majority of settlement of the valley is under 180 Km
long and 55km wide
2. NUBRA VALLEY
This is the northern most valley of Ladakh.. The altitude of this valley is less in comparison to Leh Valley. Valley is known for its
rich flora. Natural forests are noticed on both sides of Nubra river. A number of shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants are found
in the forest. Alpine grasses are there on mountains peak.

23. 3. CHANGTHANG VALLEY
• The cultivated area lies between 10,000ft to
14,000 ft. where only Barley crops are grown in
small quantity.
• Majority of Changpas are nomads whose main
occupation is livestock rearing especially
famous Pashmina goats and sheep's.
• Being always close and travelling with nature
Changpas are largely dependent on wild plants
for vegetables, medicine for both human and
animals and other needs.
Species Common name Status
Arnebia euchroma Rattanjot Endangered
Dracocephallum
Heretrophyllum
- frequent
Nepeta longibracteata - frequent
Pedicularis loniflora - frequent
Rheum spiciformae Himalayan Rhubarb endangered
Himalayan rhubarb
Pendicularis longiflora
Ratanjot

24. Species Common name Status
Artemisia dracunculus Tarragon Frequent
Bergenia strcheyi Pasanbhed Endangered
Codonopsis sp. - frequent
Meconnopsis aculeate Blue Endangered
Podophyllum hexandrum Himalayan Mayapple Endangered
4. ZANSKAR VALLEY
• During winter time can be reached by
frozen river trek.
• The cultivated area lies at altitude of
between 10,000 ft. and 12,000 ft.
• Economy of the region is mainly
dependent on agriculture and animals.
Pasanbhed Mayapple Tarragon

25. Species Common name Status
Aconitum heterohyllum Atis Endangered
Delphinium Cashmerianum Himalayan Larkspur Vulnerable
Physalis alkekengi Winter cherry Vulnerable
Podophyllum hexandrum Himalayan Mayapple Endangered
Rubia Cordifoliam Manjistha Endangered
5. SURU VALLEY
• The Cultivate area lies between 8,500 ft.
and 10,000 ft
• Valley is famous for quality of Apricot.
• The majority of inhabitants of this valley
are Shia Muslim.
• The flora is also mixture of temperate as
well as of Alpine desert vegetation.
Atis
Manjistha Himalayan larkshpur Winter cherry

26. • The staple crop of Ladakh is barley and in some areas wheat, peas, vegetables and mustard for oil are also
cultivated.
• Crops are grown in summer.
• Presently, in Leh the total cropped area is about 17,000 hectares.
• Even irrigation potential has been created over an area of nearly 5000 hectares, through the construction of
canals and water-harvesting tanks
• The application of modern technologies including hydraulic ram pumps and solar pumps are used.
• Mini meadows filled with grasses and herbs are grown.
• the Ladakhis grow willow and poplar trees, along with some fruit and nut trees at lower altitudes.
• The scattered and meager wild plants are used for fuel, fibre and labour.
Pea Barley Wheat

27. Traditional Materials in Ladakh
The traditional/conventional building materials used
for walling, roofing and flooring in the Ladakh region
are:
a) Walling– Earth, soil, wood, timber, lime, cement, etc.
-cured for 15 days
b) Roofing – Mud on wooden ballies , timber, bamboo
, corrugated galvanized iron sheets, reinforced
cement concrete, thatch , cement etc.
thick mud plaster is
used to create additional
insulation layers. Walls
are sometimes fitted with
partly-timbered frames for
structural stabilization.
sun-dried mud
bricks can be made on
site without specialized
skills. They are the
cheapest building material
but also have very good
insulation qualities.
- Size of mud blocks- 300 x150 x 150mm.
-20 mm of non-erodable mud plaster
- waterproof roofing panel of size 300x300x100 mm
c) Flooring – Earth, soil, wood, timber etc.

29. - Ladakhi temples and residential buildings share the same basic architecture.
-An internal timber frame supports flat, mudcovered roofs.
-Walls are built from rubble stone and sun-dried mud bricks.
-Use of Corrugated iron sheets
-Even after three years and after several heavy rainfalls the roofs are still waterproof
because of the waterproof “markalak” layer that is applied.
-Markalak”, meaning“oily mud”,
Construction of a Ladakhi roof

30. -Ladakhi roof starts with a ceiling of wooden beams, rafters and willow-stick joists,
on which we place woven straw mats to prevent dust from falling through the
joists.
-Next comes a layer of Ladakhi “yagtses” grass, a traditional stop-gap layer:
-Next comes a layer of rough soil, and then the layer of “markalak” clay.
-The final layer of soil on the roof is applied wet, and its mix can include
straw, and even the dung of cows, donkeys or horses to increase its
solidness as people often walk on the flat roofs.
Construction of a Ladakhi roof
CONSTRUCTION OF A LADAKHI ROOF

31. Sofi House
One of the oldest and architecturally
important houses
it was built 100 years ago
The building has two stories
The roofwas badly disintegrated,
with extensive leakage
Cholday House
The Cholday house is home to three
generations of a single family.
The house has three stories.

32. Hanupa House
Hanupa House is located widely visible on the ridge high
above the town and so an important priority
was rebuilt much stronger and structurally sounder.
Windows were enlarged
Had very low ceilings
The house was successfully rehabilitated.

33. Norchung House
Norchung House is part of a cluster of buildings on the ridge below the
palace.
It is one of the larger buildings in old Leh, four floors, and many
remarkable architectural details.
The roof is leaking and the upper floor is basically
not usable any longer because it was on the verge of collapse

34. Hor Yakandi House
This house was built about 100 years ago by a Muslim
family from
north-western China (Yarkand).
Lonpo House
This is the former home of the king’s chief
minister, built around the same
time as the Leh Palace (ca. 1600).
In the 1990s, it was donated to Chemrey
monastery.

35. Jampa Lhakhang
This 15th century temple is one of the town’s main
Buddhist monuments.
historic wall-paintings
Lakruk House
Lakruk House is one of the great old mansion
houses of Leh, located just below the Leh Palace -
Red Jampa Lhakhang area.

36. Chenrezi Lhakhang
This huge building was constructed in the 17th century as main monastic
center for Leh .
It contains a 16-pillar assembly hall, a four-pillar protector
room, and a three-storey tall blank wall facing the town for display of
the huge Gygu tangka dur4ing festival times.
Chenrezi Lhakhang remains one of the old town’s
major monuments and a popular focus point for local Buddhists and
tourists alike.

38. Ground Water Resources
• Ground water development through construction
of tubewells and hand pumps is very much
possible in this district.
• People mainly depend on surface water sources
and springs for meeting water supply
requirements.
• As per the data provided by PHE department,
the number of villages covered by piped water
supply is 112 and population covered is 0.70
lakhs.
• PHE has constructed 42 tubewells and 7 dugwells
during 2001-02, 13 tubewells and 7 dugwells
each during 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06
respectively.
• The quality of gound water in the area is fresh
and potable.

39. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

40. SNOW WATER HARVESTING
• Snow Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge
• Snow water harvesting is a technique of
preservation of snow and delaying the melting so
that snow melt water is available for longer duration
in a year.
• In the hilly areas roof top rainwater harvesting
• structures like storage tanks are recommended,
while in low hill ranges, check dams and snow water
harvesting structure can be adapted.

42. SPRINGS AROUND LEH
• In 2004-05, eighteen springs were inventoried.
• Springs used for domestic purpose, but they also
serve as the source of irrigation.
• Hot water springs are located near Pananic and
Changlum along thrust zones.
• The springs are yielding (9 – 20 lps) nearly boiling
water (95ºC) at the source point, which infers that
the ground water is oozing from the deep-seated
thrust zone.

43. DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN LEH
• Two rivers flowing in this area indus and Shyok
rivers.
• Nubra is a perennial river and is originated
from Siachan Glacier and flows in North west to
South east direction.
• nalas originating from the higher peaks of the
mountains flow into Nubra.
• nalas = Lungpa.
• Most of the district is concentrated in valley
portion drained by major river Indus and its
tributaries.
• In the past development of ground water was
mainly through dug wells and percolation wells
along the riverbeds, nallas and also some springs
has played a major role for sustainable domestic
and irrigational purposes.

44. GROUND WATER RELATED ISSUES AND
PROBLEMS
• Traditional sources of water supply for villages and habitats are getting dried up
• Snow fall during winter period is also reduced.
• To mitigate the water supply crisis, hand pumps and tube wells can be constructed at suitable locations.

45. DISASTERS
• The 2010 Ladakh floods occurred on 6 August 2010
across a large part of Ladakh, a region of the
northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• 71 towns and villages were damaged, including the main
town in the area, Leh.
• 255 people are reported to have died,[six of whom were
foreign tourists.
• After a cloudburst and heavy overnight rains triggered
flash floods, mudslides, and debris flows.
• 200 people were reported missing in the initial aftermath
of the storm, and thousands more were rendered
homeless after the flooding caused extensive damage to
property and infrastructure.
• Overall, 9000 people were directly affected by the event.