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In the Indian Trans-Himalaya, Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul is reported exclusively from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. In Ladakh, it has been reported primarily from the south-east, with no prior evidence of its occurrence in the north. In this study, we documented the first record of Pallas’s cat in the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nubra Valley, northern Ladakh. We identified the species based on the non-invasive genetic analysis of a morphologically ambiguous scat sample collected during a study on dietary patterns of sympatric carnivores. DNA-based species identification confirmed the presence of Pallas’s cat. We also identified prey remains, of pika Ochotona spp. and Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana , in the scat. Our record extends the known range of Pallas’s cat into northern Ladakh and adds a new mammal species to the documented fauna of the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary. We recommend a comprehensive assessment of distribution, population, diet, habitat and potential threats to this elusive species to ensure its long-term survival in this landscape.

The Shyok Suture Zone is an oceanic remnant of the Neo-Tethyan ocean sandwiched between the Ladakh Batholiths to the south and Karakoram Batholith to the north. The Tirit granitoids in this suture are dark-coloured, relatively rich in ferromagnesian minerals and range from granodiorite-tonalite to gabbro-diorite in composition. Mafic igneous enclaves are quite common and they are intruded by NW-SE parallel doleritic and aplitic dykes. The Tirit granitoids have a wide range of major oxide compositions (SiO2 = 52.1-72.11 wt %, TiO2 = 0.21-1.23 wt %, Al2O3 = 11.42-13.52 wt %, MgO = 1.69-10.69 wt % and CaO = 3.24-9.31 wt %) and show calc-alkaline, metaluminous, I-type characteristics, transitional between primitive and mature arc continental plutons. Rare earth elements (REE) show considerable enrichment in light REE (LREE) as compared to the heavy REE (HREE). Late Cretaceous U/Pb dates (74-68 Ma) show that they formed during the pre-collision northward movement of India. The Tirit dykes are only slightly younger and probably part of the same episode.

Optical stimulated luminescence chronology obtained on moraines suggests that the Nubra valley was extensively glaciated during the Last Glacial Maximum. We attribute this to the enhanced moisture contribution from the mid-latitude westerlies. Our study negates the suggestion that glaciation in Ladakh and Nubra valley was non-existent due to the weak summer monsoon during the Last Glacial Maximum. Further chronology of the recessional moraines proximal to the present-day Siachen glacier snout suggests insignificant recession in the glacier snout since the last 1 ka.

The Karakoram fault zone is a prominent right lateral fault that connects the frontal thrust of the North Pamir with the Indus suture zone near Mount Kailas. Its nature and age of initiation is controversial. In the Nubra valley, Ladakh, India, a Karakoram range granite is thrust over Cretaceous magmatic arc rocks and this thrust is cut by a western strand of the Karakoram fault zone. Three different lithologies from this granite gave weighted mean zircon U/Pb ages of 12.92±0.77 Ma, 12.41±0.43 Ma, and 11.72±0.31 Ma. The ages indicate a relatively short intrusive history of about 1 Ma for the phases: the geochemistry is practically identical to the Pangong leucogranites in the same tectonic block. The Karakoram fault zone in this area is thus less than ≈12 Ma old which supports a post middle Miocene (Serravallian) age of Karakoram fault initiation in this area. Copyright 2017 Geological Society of India

The paper highlights the geotechnical attributes of Quaternary stratified sediments in Trans-Himalayan zone around the Nubra Valley (Ladakh), India for classifying the sediment's sequences and characterizing their participation in natural hazards susceptibility and mitigation measures. The study is based on the experimental works performed on collected samples of sediments at different sites and depths (1.5 to 5.5 m) of sequences for determination of grain size sensitive parameters and geotechnical characteristics as per American Society for Testing and Materials standard and with help of empirical relationships. The results reveal that the majority of sediments are bimodal distributed with wide variation in uniformity coefficients (1.84-5.0), low variation in coefficient of curvatures (0.5-0.61) and sorting coefficient (1.12-1.69) exhibit wide range of shear strengths (25 kPa to 130 kPa), cohesions (0.02-0.13 kg/cm2) and angles of internal frictions (36-45°) which may be due to distinct differences in their densities, void ratios, liquid and plastic limits. Based on geotechnical values, the sediments strata can be categorized as foot-hill debris zone, normal sediment (soil) zone and active sediment (soil) zone. The foot-hill debris zone is found more prone to mass-wasting due to influence of gravity and their low binding habits. The active sediment (soil) zone exhibits lower shear strengths and cohesions in comparison to normal sediments due to higher liquid and plastic limits of sediments exposed to freezing and thawing actions. This zone is found more susceptible to slope instabilities and differential settlements hazards, hence requires specific care during engineering establishments and mitigation measures in the valley.

The Nubra Valley is one of the ancient corridors used by traders, armies and pilgrims that connected Northeast India, Central Asia and the Western Himalayas. The fortified settlement of Hunder was probably the most important regional checkpost along this line from the very early times of human occupation. Placed on a ridge above a gorge and protected by a perfect topographic setting, Hunder could hold its position for centuries. And like a cultural barrier riff, all the cultural currents left their marks all over the topographic relief in the form of the various types of material culture and religious architecture such as tombs, stupas, lhathos and burial shrines. The following article attempts to provide an overview of all the various relics in order to provide some insight into the chronology of the cultural history of this place which served as an outpost for western Tibetan culture for so long.

Trans-Himalayan mountains, owing to harsh climatic conditions and a short growing season support low vegetation cover (<20%), yet it is known to harbour a unique assemblage of flora and fauna which have not been systematically inventoried and documented so far. This paper deals with spatial and non-spatial information on landscape units, vegetation characteristics and plant species diversity of Nubra Valley in Ladakh, India. Based on digital - visual (on screen) interpretation of remote sensing data coupled with knowledge-based classification we delineated 19 cover classes (11 vegetation types and 8 non-vegetation categories). The vascular plants (angiosperms and gymnosperms) were systematically collected using stratified random sampling of different landscape/vegetation to characterize plant communities and assess the distribution patterns of species. The study reveals that nearly 78-80% of plant species in Nubra are restricted to the valley bottoms. In all, 414 species of vascular plants were recorded from the study area. These belongs to 56 families and 202 genera. Of these, 102 species were reported to be used in traditional system of medicine by Amchis over 80 species are largely associated with cultivated fields and human habitation. As many as 49 species were cultivated which include several varieties of crop plants especially those of barley and buckwheat. Aspects of bioprospecting and conservation of valuable species have been discussed.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Himalayan region has been gifted with diverse geology, manifested as longitudinal zones and hosts many national geoheritage sites. Trans-Himalaya is characterized by several parallel ophiolitic belts occurring along Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ) and Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ). These suture zones in Ladakh Himalaya are very significant and crucial to understand the subduction of Tethys Ocean and subsequent collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. The Shyok Ophiolite and Ophiolitic mélange exposed in the Nubra-Shyok Valley represent the remnants of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere existed during Mesozoic Era. Shyok Ophiolite is constituted of all the lithounits of a typical ophiolitic sequence, viz., ultramafics (peridotite, serpentinite), gabbro (both non-cumulate and cumulate), norite, dolerite, plagiogranite, basalt, diabase, pillow lavas, and pelagic sediments, i.e., radiolarian chert. Ophiolites provide indispensable information on the mechanics of mountain building, as their integration into continental margins involve major tectonic events in orogenesis. The picturesque outcrops are easily accessible by well-connected roads in Nubra-Shyok Valley. The lithologies of ophiolite and ophiolitic mélange provide valuable evidences regarding mantle sources, magma types, petrogenetic processes and plate interactions. Along with providing significant information, Nubra Valley is known for its archaeological importance, numerous sociocultural heritage sites and is home to several tribes since Neolithic Period. SWOT and TOWS analysis for the proposed geoheritage sites indicate immense potential for geotourism, development, and conservation. We propose spectacular geoheritage site—Shyok Ophiolite may be recognized and preserved for understanding of geodynamic evolution of Himalaya and interaction of Indian and Eurasian plates.