Cold Desert (biosphere reserve)

For the desert in Pakistan, see Cold Desert, Skardu.

Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve located in the western Himalayas region, within Himachal Pradesh state in North India.Biosphere reserves are the areas of coastal echo systems which promote the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.There are over 500 biosphere reserves around the world in over 100 countries. The ministry of environment and forest provides financial assistance to the respective sate governments for conservation of landscape, biological diversity and the cultural heritage.

Geography

Cold Desert has an area of 7,770 square kilometres (1,920,000 acres).

It includes:

• Pin Valley National Park
• Chandratal
• Sarchu
• Kibber Wildlife Sancturary.

Location

The cold deserts of India are located adjacent to the Himalaya Mountains. They are not affected by the Indian monsoons because they lie in the rain shadow of the Himalayas.

See also

• Ecology of the Himalaya
• Deserts of India
• List of ecoregions in India