LADAKH v/s KARNARTAKA

[Virtual Presenter] Good evening everyone. Welcome to our presentation about Ladakh and Karnataka two geographically and biologically interesting places for any biologist. We will be exploring the mountain ranges valleys icy formations and the snow leopards found in the high altitudes of both places. So let us get started and explore these fascinating regions together!.

LADAKH:- THE MOON LAND.

[Audio] The snowy mountains of Ladakh are renowned for their beauty and secluded wilderness. These towering peaks often tipped with glistening snow stand in stark contrast to the clear blue skies of the high-altitude desert region. From the Karakoram and the Himalayas to peaks that exceed 7000 meters these mountains not only enrich the landscape but also resonate deeply in the culture and identity of local communities. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or on a spiritual quest the majestic mountains of Ladakh offer an unforgettable experience..

THE FLAT PLAINS The plains of Ladakh, contrasting with its towering snowy mountains, offer a landscape of stark beauty and vast openness. Located at high altitudes in the Indian Himalayas, Ladakh's plains are characterized by expansive barren stretches interspersed with occasional patches of greenery along riverbanks and oases. These plains, often referred to as high-altitude deserts, showcase a unique and striking terrain shaped by geological forces over millennia..

THE ICY FORMATIONS The icy formations in Ladakh are captivating natural wonders shaped by the extreme cold and unique geological conditions of the region. These formations include glaciers, icefalls, and frozen rivers that contribute to Ladakh's mesmerizing winter landscape. Glaciers, such as the Siachen Glacier and the Gangotri Glacier, are immense rivers of ice that slowly flow down from high mountain peaks, carving valleys and leaving behind moraines and glacial lakes. The icy blue hues of these glaciers against the backdrop of rugged mountains create a striking contrast..

THE SNOW LEAPARD.

[Audio] Snow leopards are an iconic species of Central Asia renowned for their beautiful fur and unique adaptations to their harsh mountain habitats. Nicknamed the "ghost of the mountains" for its elusive behavior snow leopards can be found in Ladakh and Karnataka. The survival of the species heavily relies on the protection of their habitats..

[Audio] Snow leopards personify the remoteness of the mountains in which they live and the force of nature. They traverse jagged outcrops and icy inclines with dexterity and brawn altering to the harshest of surroundings. We should now examine how the computer can be a useful instrument to support us in our jobs..

[Audio] A snow leopard sighting in its natural habitat is truly a rare and remarkable sight giving an insight to the mysterious world of these elusive mountain creatures. Despite the hostile and severe conditions of their habitats they have been able to survive and thrive due to their impressive evolutionary heritage and specialized characteristics. To ensure that our comprehension of the environment is correct and reliable let us now pay more attention to the significance of critical thinking and the problems caused by the propagation of inaccurate facts..

[Audio] The snow leopard of Ladakh has a unique adaptation to the extreme cold temperatures of the mountainous region. Its fur coat is made of a thick and layered texture providing insulation through a soft undercoat beneath the longer course guard hairs which are designed to keep heat close to the body. This special adaptation allows the snow leopard to inhabit an environment much colder than that of its counterpart in Karnataka..

[Audio] Snow leopards are uniquely adapted to live in icy mountainous habitats. Their large wide paws are like natural snowshoes distributing their weight over soft snow and reducing the chance of sinking. The paw pad also has fur for insulation and traction on slippery surfaces..

Short, Stocky Body: Snow leopards have a compact and muscular body, well-suited for navigating steep terrain and climbing rocky cliffs. Their short limbs and broad chest give them strength and agility, allowing them to maneuver swiftly in their mountainous environment..

Long, Thick Tail: The snow leopard's long tail, measuring almost as long as its body, serves multiple purposes. It helps maintain balance when navigating rocky slopes and acts as a rudder during leaping and swift turns. The tail also provides additional insulation when wrapped around the body to conserve heat..

[Audio] The snow leopard mostly found in the mountainous regions of Ladakh and Karnataka is an extraordinary species. As it inhabits a unique environment it has adapted in order to survive. One of its adaptation is its vision and hearing. Its large forward-facing eyes enable it to spot prey from a great distance in snowy terrain. Additionally it has an acute hearing which aids it to detect subtle movements of prey or potential threats in its habitat. This adaptation has been essential for the snow leopard to live and prosper in its surroundings..

[Audio] The snow leopard's fur helps it to blend into its environment in both Ladakh and Karnataka. The pale gray fur with dark spots and rosettes enable the snow leopard to blend into the rocky and snowy environment making it difficult for predators to spot it and for prey to see it..

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[Audio] Comparing the two regions of Ladakh and Karnataka in terms of animal biodiversity we can see that they share the same kingdom phylum class order and family Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae respectively. This reflects the similarity of biodiversity in these regions in terms of the categories of species..

[Audio] The snow leopard famed for its majestic presence is found in both the Ladakh and Karnataka regions. A unique warm-blooded mammal it has a four-chambered heart and breathes through its lungs. To process its food it utilizes a kidney system that excretes waste in the form of urea. This incredible creature needs to be given more protection due to its endangered status..

WESTERN GHATS:- SAHYADRIS.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.

[Audio] The Western Ghats of India are renowned for their biodiversity. Lush forests cascading waterfalls and a wealth of wildlife create a unique atmosphere and topography. The mountain range stretches along the western coast of India and rises to a maximum height of two thousand meters. Designated a unesco World Heritage Site it is no surprise that the Western Ghats are home to many species of plants animals and birds making it a must-see for any nature enthusiast..

[Audio] Rivers originating from the Western Ghats are a vital part of the culture and biodiversity of both Ladakh and Karnataka. From Krishna Godavari Kaveri to Tungabhadra these rivers give sustenance to the people and wild animals of both locations. In Karnataka they are greatly used for navigation irrigation and other operations while in Ladakh they are the source of life for many communities. These rivers provide essential sustenance to the people of both regions but they also add to the rich biodiversity of the area sustaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem..

[Audio] The Western Ghats boast a variety of ecosystems ranging from tropical wet evergreen forests montane grasslands to some of the most highly acclaimed non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests. This diverse landscape has a unique thick and sticky consistency..

THE MALBAR GIANT SQUIRREL.

[image]. [image]. [image]. The Great Indian Malabar Squirrel, also known as the Indian Giant Squirrel or Malabar Giant Squirrel, is a strikingly beautiful and iconic species found in the lush forests of the Western Ghats in India. Known for its vibrant and varied coloration, ranging from deep maroon to shades of orange, brown, and cream, this arboreal mammal captivates with its distinctive appearance..

[image]. [image]. [image]. The Malabar Squirrel's large, expressive eyes and long, bushy tail add to its charm, making it a favorite among nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. Its agile movements and adept climbing skills allow it to navigate the dense canopy with ease, often leaping from branch to branch in search of food or to evade predators..

[image]. [image]. [image]. Despite its name, the Great Indian Malabar Squirrel is not exclusive to the Malabar region but is distributed throughout the Western Ghats and adjoining forested areas. It inhabits a variety of forest types, including tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, and mixed evergreen forests, where it finds ample food and shelter among the dense vegetation..

[Audio] The Malabar Giant Squirrel is an impressive demonstration of how incredibly nature can adapt. Its vibrant fur conceals it among the lush foliage of the forest canopy. We too must adapt our cities to become sustainable making changes such as advancing transportation cutting down on energy usage and expanding access to healthcare and other vital services. Let us focus on this topic a bit more closely..

[Audio] Squirrels are intriguing animals utilizing their long plush tails for a number of purposes such as achieving balance and speaking with other squirrels. Taking a slightly different direction let us explore the biology found in Dr Seuss' popular novel "The Cat in the Hat.

[Audio] The Malabar Giant Squirrel is an amazing creature possessing incredible vision from its large and expressive eyes. This adaptation enables it to detect predators and potential threats from far away as well as helping it find food sources like fruits nuts and seeds in the forest canopy. This has made the species successful in both Ladakh and Karnataka..

[Audio] The Malabar Giant Squirrel is a remarkable creature demonstrating how one can use their strengths and resources in the most advantageous manner thereby reducing competition for resources and minimizing the risk of predation. This is a valuable lesson that the young generation of today should take to heart..

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[Audio] Comparing the two states Ladakh and Karnataka it's interesting to note the kinds of animals they have in common. Both states share wildlife from the same Kingdom and Phylum but they have different Classes Orders and Families of animals. In Ladakh mammals from the Rodentia family are very common while in Karnataka there are more animals from the Sciuridae family. Both states have distinct ecosystems and that's why it's important to understand the differences between them to better understand wildlife conservation efforts within each region." Both Ladakh and Karnataka are unique in terms of their wildlife and ecosystems. From the same Kingdom and Phylum these states have different Classes Orders and Families of animals. In Ladakh mammals from the Rodentia family are quite common while in Karnataka there are more animals from the Sciuridae family. Understanding the differences between these two regions can help us to better understand the need for wildlife conservation in each area..

[Audio] When comparing Ladakh to Karnataka the Giant Malabar Squirrel stands out as a unique example of mammalian life. This squirrel has a four-chambered heart making it warm-blooded and it breathes air through its lungs. It also has kidneys which enable it to excrete urea. In terms of diet it is an omnivore meaning it eats both fruits and nuts. This fascinating creature is found in the unique ecosystems of Ladakh and Karnataka..

[Audio] Ladakh and Karnataka two distinct regions of India have very different climates and environments which makes for unique and fascinating biodiversity. In this project we will explore the differences between the snow leopard found in Ladakh and the Giant Malabar squirrel found in Karnataka. The snow leopard is a large powerful cat with thick fur and long tail while the Giant Malabar squirrel is a more diminutive creature with a distinctive black and white fur pattern. Both animals are impressive in their own way and have a variety of adaptations to survive their respective environments. We will explore the unique traits of each species and discover how they're both equally important to the ecological balance of their habitats..

[Audio] The snow leopard found in Ladakh is a species of the family Felidae of the order Carnivora within the kingdom Animalia and phylum Chordata. They are solitary animals often found in the mountainous terrain of the region. On the other hand the Malabar squirrel found in the Western Ghats is a species of the family Sciuridae of the order Rodentia within Animalia and Chordata. These squirrels usually inhabit deciduous forests and are known to make their presence known in the form of their loud chatter..

[Audio] Fauna species in Ladakh and Karnataka have adapted over hundreds of years to the distinct climates of each area. For instance snow leopards in Ladakh have evolved a thick and furry coat for warmth in the mountains as well as large padded feet to traverse snow-covered terrain. They are also short and stocky with long thick tails for better balance and their coloring aids in camouflage. In addition snow leopards possess sharp vision and hearing which helps them to find food and stay safe from predators. In Karnataka species like Black Panthers have adapted to be agile climbers with a long bushy tail good vision and solitary behavior. This helps them to survive in the forest by outsmarting potential enemies and finding food. It is evident that the different climates of Ladakh and Karnataka have enabled the species of each area to evolve different attributes over time..