Cold Desert from North Sikkim

Photographed by Subhash Ranjan

Photographer's note

"On my way to Gurudongmar lake the land beyond Thangu, North Sikkim became absolutely desolate with beginning of the Himalayan rain-shadow zone of cold desert that merges with Tibetan plateau. The mountains were painted heavenly with the beautiful tones of colors reaching the altitude of almost 20,000 to 25,000 feet ASL. Surprisingly I could see snow on one the side of the peaks only with local yak population grazing in the open pastures located on the steep slopes.

I present you this peerless landscape for strange biodiversity India carries with its topography."

pic: www.treknature.com