Cold desert regions of Indian Himalayas covering Lahaul and Spiti, Ladakh, parts of Kinnaur and Uttarakhand have unique geographical and climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical heat to sub-freezing temperature, as low as -40°C. The ethnic communities in these regions have unique dietary habits, and depend heavily on fermented foods. The fermented foods are prepared from wide range of substrates such as fruit and vegetable, cereal, legume, dairy, and meat-based in addition to alcoholic beverages. Fermentation is achieved through the use of indigenous, traditional starter cultures locally called as Phabs or Malera. Phabs are barley-based while Malera are wheat-based inoculums consisting cereals as carbohydrate substrate, mixture of herbs, spices and prepared using special indigenous process with locally available resources. Fermentation is achieved predominantly through lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Apart from staple cereals and legumes, dairy and meat products constitute major component of the diets of the ethnic communities. Some unique dishes of cold desert regions are hard cheese Churpe derived from Yak milk or indigenous cattle breeds, alcoholic beverages like Lugri, Chhang, Angoori, Khambir roti a cereal sourdough based thick flattened bread, steamed dumplings Siddu and deep fried Marchu. Majority of the fermented foods from cold desert regions have been reported to possess known probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus spp., Lactiplantibacillus spp., Lactococcus spp., and emerging probiotics such as Leuconostoc mesentroides, Acetobacter spp., Kluveyromyces spp. These fermented foods consist bioactive molecules such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Several of these fermented foods have been reported to possess array of bioactive properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory and known to positively influence gut microflora. Characterization of the fermented foods from cold desert regions could provide novel probiotic species, hitherto unreported and offer new insights on the nutritional and therapeutic applications of ethnic fermented cuisines of Indian Himalayan Region.
Andean Patagonia is a globally significant yet understudied mountain biodiversity hotspot where microorganisms remain largely overlooked despite their key ecological roles and biotechnological potentials. Here, microbial communities inhabit extreme niches shaped by strong climatic and altitudinal gradients, glacial dynamics, and environmental heterogeneity, harboring unique stress adapted microorganisms with valuable metabolic capabilities and ecosystem functions. Emerging studies from northern and central Andes in Chile, and southern Patagonian systems, reveal highly diverse, spatially structured microbiomes in diverse habitats, closely coupled to local abiotic and biotic conditions, and sensitive to warming induced glacier retreat. Andean Patagonia likely contains many endemic, functionally critical microbial lineages, underscoring the compelling need to integrate microbes into regional conservation strategies and long-term bioprospecting agendas
Women empowerment is key to sustainable development, especially in remote and ecologically fragile regions like the Trans Indian Himalayas. This study explores the role of Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae sp.) based enterprises in promoting economic independence, social status, skill development, and environmental conservation among women in the Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Sea-buckthorn growing wild in the region is locally called as salla, chharma, etc. is a hardy and nutrient-rich species, providing income opportunities through the production of high value products, such as food supplements. The species also aids in soil erosion prevention and land rehabilitation in the barren areas of the region. Technological interventions in enterprise development foster both skill growth and economic resilience. The study also highlights how sea-buckthorn enterprise enhance women’s socioeconomic status, strengthen local livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable development goals. The empowerment of women through environmental stewardship and business leadership in this region offers a model for resilience and can be replicated in areas with similar conditions.
Ladakh, in the Trans-Himalayan region of northern India, hosts a distinctive high-altitude cold-arid hydrological system in which seasonal snow, glaciers, perched aquifers and a limited network of perennial rivers jointly determine water availability for ecological and human systems. This narrative review-synthesis combines literature analysis (80+ studies) with original trend assessment of IMD gridded rainfall/temperature data (1975–2024) using Modified Mann-Kendall tests and Sen’s slope estimation to comprehend the changes in climate and hydrological dimensions. The synthesis reveals significant warming (+0.02°C yr-1, p<0.05) across Ladakh with spatially variable precipitation trends, earlier snowmelt timing (∼1.2 days yr −1), and glacier mass loss (−0.21 to −0.37 m w.e. yr-¹). Springs show declining perennial discharge while Indus tributaries maintain 62–72% cryospheric runoff contribution. Springs and shallow groundwater systems provide disproportionately important perennial supply where surface waters are strongly seasonal, and precipitation is sparse, and major rivers (notably the upper Indus and tributaries such as the Suru, Zanskar, Shyok, and Nubra) integrate cryospheric and groundwater signals at basin scales. Observational and modelling evidence indicate a system in warming drives earlier snowmelt and a transient increase in glacier runoff, followed by long-term declines in glacier melt contributions as ice volume diminishes; concomitant shifts in recharge reduce spring resilience and alter river seasonality. These dynamics increase exposure to both chronic water scarcity and abrupt hazards. To manage these interconnected risks, we recommend priorities: establishment of integrated high-altitude monitoring networks for snow, ice, springs, and river discharge; process-based modelling that couples downscaled climate projections with cryosphere–groundwater–river interactions; systematic mapping and protection of spring recharge zones; and risk-informed, multi-scale water planning that combines conjunctive use, decentralized storage, and community-based adaptation in the fragile Trans-Himalayan landscapes.
The Trans-Himalayan cold desert of Ladakh, situated in the western Indian Himalaya, represents one of the most ecologically extreme yet biologically significant high-altitude landscapes. Characterized by high elevations, low precipitation, intense solar radiation, prolonged winters, and short growing seasons, the region supports a fragile ecosystem where vegetation is sparse but highly specialized. Despite these harsh environmental conditions, Ladakh harbours considerable floristic diversity, with nearly 500 plant taxa reported to be used in traditional healthcare systems, highlighting its importance as a reservoir of ethnomedicinal knowledge and plant genetic resources. Traditional medicinal knowledge, preserved and practiced for centuries by indigenous communities, continues to play a central role in primary healthcare, particularly in remote settlements where modern medical services remain limited. The traditional Sowa Rigpa (Amchi) system of medicine relies extensively on locally available plant resources to treat respiratory ailments, digestive disorders, musculoskeletal problems, altitude-related illnesses, and chronic diseases. Ethnobotanical studies indicate that families such as Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Fabaceae, and Apiaceae dominate the medicinal flora, with herbaceous species and leaf-based preparations being most common. Several high-value species, including Aconitum heterophyllum, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Podophyllum hexandrum, Rheum spp., Rhodiola spp., and Saussurea costus, exhibit significant pharmacological potential. However, medicinal plant resources face growing threats from climate change, habitat degradation, overharvesting, and rapid socio-economic transitions. Conservation initiatives led by regional institutions and community participation are promoting documentation, cultivation, and sustainable management of these valuable resources. This review synthesizes historical, ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and conservation studies to provide an integrated understanding of medicinal plant diversity in Ladakh, emphasizing its significance for local healthcare, biodiversity conservation, and future pharmacological research in the Trans-Himalayan region
The cold arid region of Ladakh hosts a rich diversity of wild and semi-wild edible plants (WSWEPs) that play an indispensable role in regional food and nutritional security. This review synthesizes ethnobotanical, nutritional, ecological, and conservation literature to highlight the multidimensional value of 52 documented wild and semi-wild edible plants (WSWEP) species. These plants provide essential macro- and micronutrients, including high levels of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and antioxidants, thereby addressing micronutrient deficiencies common in high-altitude regions. Their ecological significance extends to soil stabilization, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation. However, WSWEP populations are increasingly threatened by overharvesting, overgrazing, habitat destruction, and climate-induced changes. This review identifies critical research gaps and proposes pathways for sustainable utilization, community-based conservation, and policy integration. The synthesis underscores the importance of combining traditional knowledge with scientific evidence to enhance food security and environmental resilience in fragile cold-desert ecosystems.
Arid lands are distributed across multiple climatic regions worldwide and play an important role in supporting communities by providing key ecosystem services and natural resources. However, the lands are constrained by chronic water scarcity, extreme temperatures, intense solar radiation, and high evapotranspiration, all of which severely limit biological productivity. Arid soils are typically poor in organic matter, weakly aggregated, often saline or alkaline, and nutrient-depleted, making them highly vulnerable to soil erosion and long-term degradation. Harsh conditions also alter soil microbial communities by reducing microbial abundance, shifting community composition toward stress-tolerant taxa, weakening enzymatic activity, and disrupting nutrient cycling processes essential for ecosystem functioning and vegetation establishment. Despite such constraints, arid soils harbour highly specialized microbial communities that exhibit diverse physiological and genomic adaptations enabling survival under extreme conditions. The current review discusses the challenges in arid environments, the understanding of microbial communities and their adaptive strategies in arid soils, and how these traits contribute to soil fertility restoration across diverse dryland ecosystems. It further evaluates key microbe-driven restoration mechanisms, including reactivation of biogeochemical cycles, the role of native microorganisms as ecological engineers, and plant-microbe-mediated interactions that enhance overall soil health. Finally, the review highlights key limitations of current restoration approaches, including limited long-term field validation, unpredictable microbial interactions, and insufficient functional understanding of introduced microbes. Based on the limitations, the review provides recommendations for future studies, emphasizing the integration of multi-omics approaches, trait-based microbial selection, and long-term ecosystem monitoring for developing effective and scalable microbial solutions for restoring degraded arid soils.
Cold arid landscapes, including the Trans-Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Arctic tundra, and Antarctic Dry Valleys, are among the world's most fragile and climate-sensitive ecosystems. Characterized by extreme temperatures, limited precipitation, sparse vegetation, and slow ecological processes, these regions support unique biodiversity and traditional livelihood systems such as pastoralism and oasis agriculture. Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, cold arid regions remain inadequately represented in global research and policy frameworks. The present issue 65-2 emphasizes six major dimensions of cold arid ecosystems: ecosystem services and nature-based solutions; hydrology, climate change, and water security; biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of plant resources; microbial diversity and biotechnological potential; ecological processes and soil restoration; and pastoralism, traditional knowledge, and livelihood opportunities. The contributions collectively demonstrate that cold deserts are dynamic socio-ecological systems and repositories of unique biological resources, microbial wealth, and indigenous knowledge with immense potential for climate resilience and sustainable development. The articles underscore the need for interdisciplinary research, ecosystem-based management, and scientifically informed interventions to address emerging challenges associated with climate change, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic transformation. Overall, this issue presents an integrated perspective on the ecological, biological, and economic significance of cold arid regions and identifies future pathways for their conservation, resilience, and sustainable development.
Mountains cover ~22% of the Earth’s land surface and support ~13% of the global mountain population. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), one of the world’s largest mountain systems, provides critical ecosystem services-water, food, bioresources, and energy-sustaining about 240 million mountain people. Cold arid environments in the HKH are governed by interactions among precipitation, atmospheric moisture demand, temperature, and elevation. Analysis of ecosystem classes for 2000, 2010, and 2022 reveals marked spatial and temporal shifts across cold arid zones, including the cryosphere, high-altitude wetlands, and alpine vegetation. Change detection (2000-2022) highlights strong spatial heterogeneity in land-cover transitions, indicating diverse, localized responses to climatic change. Overall, the region shows a coupled pattern of vegetation expansion, cryosphere decline, and wetland formation, reflecting climate-driven restructuring of high-elevation ecosystems. These transformations in cold arid ecosystems-across glaciers, snow systems, wetlands, and alpine vegetation-are increasing risks for downstream populations. Declining ecosystem services are likely to reduce agricultural productivity, heighten disaster risks, and undermine human well-being in both mountain and downstream regions. Cold arid ecosystems are therefore critical in the context of climate and global change, requiring targeted attention and sustained investment to enhance resilience and support sustainable development.
The cold arid region of Ladakh, situated in the Trans-Himalayan zone, faces significant water resource challenges due to climate change, characterized by warming trends, reduced snowfall, and glacial retreat. This study investigates long-term trends in snowfall and temperature anomalies over the period 1984-2024 using non-parametric statistical techniques. The Mann-Kendall test revealed a significant decreasing trend in snowfall and a concurrent significant increasing trend in temperature anomalies. Sen’s slope estimator indicated a decline in snowfall at a rate of approximately 7-8 cm yr-1 and a warming rate of about 0.03°C yr-1. The study further investigates the impacts of climate variability on water availability, agricultural productivity, and socio-economic sectors in Ladakh, with a focus on Leh. Despite abundant glacial resources, Leh experiences a water management crisis driven by over-reliance on groundwater, inequitable water access, and inefficiencies in supply systems. Innovative technologies such as Zings (local glacier water harvesting and storage structure), artificial glaciers, polyhouses, and Kuhl (field irrigation channels) lining are evaluated for their efficacy in mitigating water scarcity. The research highlights the need for sustainable water management practices, including wastewater treatment, groundwater recharge, and responsible tourism, to ensure long-term resilience. Findings underscore the urgency of integrating traditional and modern strategies to safeguard Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and economy under changing climatic conditions.
The Arctic region is one of the most extreme and rapidly transforming environments on Earth, characterized by low temperatures, extreme seasonal variations in light and accelerated warming that significantly influence fragile ecosystems. Microbial populations found in Arctic ecosystem play a crucial role in driving biogeochemical cycle. As such, polar microbes, serve as sensitive indicators of climate change and have the potential to be valuable resources for bioprospecting. Microorganisms that thrive in cold conditions, known as psychrophiles and psychrotolerants, have developed unique molecular adaptations, such as cold-active enzymes, antifreeze proteins, exopolysaccharides, pigments, and secondary metabolites, that provide significant biotechnological benefits across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food production, bioremediation, and sustainable chemistry. This review delivers an in-depth synthesis of the diversity of Arctic microorganisms and their potential for bioprospecting. The coverage includes bacteria, archaea, cyanobacteria, microalgae, fungi, and viruses across terrestrial, cryospheric, and marine. The review also addresses challenges associated with climate-driven changes and ethical considerations related to polar resource exploration, while outlining future possibilities for sustainable biotechnological utilization.
Cold-arid deserts, among the most extreme ecosystems on Earth, are characterized by persistently low moisture availability and extremely low temperatures. Despite the extreme harsh conditions, this particular terrestrial ecosystem harbors, highly specialized microbial species of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses. The microbial community thriving in the extreme cold and driest habitat plays a pivotal role in the functioning of ecosystem by maintaining the biogeochemical cycles. The microbial diversity in cold-arid deserts have ability to withstand the freezing and desiccation stress through multiple adaptative strategies which includes production of anti-freeze proteins, enzymes and other biomolecules. The cold-arid microbiomes have wide range of biotechnological application in agriculture, environment and industrial sector, in which they can be used for the alleviation of plants stresses (nutrients, biotic and abiotic stress), bioremediation of various pollutants, and production of industrial products used in food processing, textile and pharmaceutical industries. The study of microbial diversity in freezing and desiccation stress is an important aspect which could be done through culture-dependent, culture-independent and omics techniques. This review highlights the, biodiversity of cold-arid microbiomes along with their adaptation strategies, and techniques and methods to study microbial diversity and emerging ecological and biotechnological applications.
A winter greenhouse experiment was conducted during 2024-2025 in the trans-Himalayan cold-arid region of Leh, Ladakh, to evaluate the combined effects of protected structure type and black polyethylene mulching on the growth and yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The study compared four protected cultivation systems: a large Ladakh passive solar greenhouse, a small Ladakh greenhouse, a polycarbonate trench greenhouse, and a polyethylene trench greenhouse, each under mulched and non-mulched conditions. Spinach cv. Pusa Vilayati Palak was harvested through three successive cuttings taken at the marketable leaf stage, with harvest intervals varying among protected structures due to differences in microclimatic conditions, and key growth and yield parameters were recorded. The large Ladakh greenhouse combined with mulch consistently outperformed other structures, producing the highest cumulative yield (223.4 g plant-¹; 9.9 kg m-²), representing a 53% increase over the corresponding non-mulched treatment. Mulching significantly enhanced plant growth, chlorophyll index, and regrowth capacity across structures, and advanced the first harvest by 2-3 days. In the polycarbonate trench greenhouse, mulch increased cumulative yield by up to 72%, enabling three successive cuttings. In contrast, the polyethylene trench greenhouse failed to support regrowth beyond the first cutting due to inadequate thermal insulation under peak winter conditions. Overall, mulching increased total spinach yield by 37.5-69.7%, depending on the greenhouse structure and cutting stage from I to III. The results demonstrate that structure-specific protected cultivation combined with mulching is a highly effective strategy for enhancing winter spinach productivity in high-altitude, sub-zero environments
This study evaluated the cultivation potential of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) as a high-value medicinal crop in Ladakh's cold desert ecosystem under low-cost polyhouse conditions. Conducted across 19 uniform 1×1 m plots in two polyhouses, the research assessed ecological establishment, agronomic performance, phytochemical quality, and economic viability. Chamomile demonstrated robust establishment with a mean plant density of 80.15 ± 12.4 and 72.8 ± 10.2 plants/plot in Polyhouse 1 and 2, respectively, achieving a mean height of 35.5 ± 4.2 cm and remarkable flower production of 299 ± 25 flowers/plant. Total yields averaged 55.49 gm dry Chamomile per m², with Polyhouse 1 outperforming Polyhouse 2 (744.0 gm vs. 310.3 gm dry weight) due to superior south-facing orientation. Phytochemical analyses revealed pharmaceutical-grade bioactive profiles, i.e., total phenolic content of 5.68 ± 0.32 mg GAE/g DW, total flavonoid content of 3.92 ± 0.21 mg QE/g DW, and strong antioxidant activities (FRAP: 4.41 ± 0.28 mM AAE/100 g DW), positioning Ladakh Chamomile for therapeutic applications. Economic analysis demonstrated exceptional viability with one-time capital investment of Rs. 20,400 for 27.3 m² polyhouse yielding first-year net profit of Rs. 9,897.4 (48.5% ROI). Chamomile cultivation substantially empowered women's self-help groups through direct marketing platforms while maintaining ecological sustainability. This study establishes Chamomile as a transformative crop for livelihood diversification, offering a replicable model for sustainable high-altitude medicinal plant cultivation across the trans-Himalayan region.
The Central Himalaya of Uttarakhand is home to two important pastoral communities, the transhumant Bhotiya people and the forest-dwelling nomadic Van Gujjars. For centuries, these communities have depended on seasonal migration with their livestock, moving between lower valleys in winter and high-altitude alpine pastures in summer. This traditional system, known as transhumance, helped them survive in the harsh mountain environment while also using natural resources in a balanced and sustainable way. However, significant changes emerged in their traditional life in the early 1980s after the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the creation of protected areas such as Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park in 1982. These conservation measures restricted pastoral communities from entering many of their traditional summer grazing areas in Chamoli district. As a result, their traditional way of life began to change rapidly. Earlier, Himalayan pastoralism was considered an effective system for managing mountain resources because grazing patterns followed seasonal cycles and allowed pastures to regenerate naturally. But over time, strict conservation policies reduced grazing spaces and forced many pastoral families to adopt limited or “nuclear” forms of transhumance, where only a few family members continue migrating with livestock. Government agencies, especially the Forest Department, often view pastoralism as harmful to the environment. Yet, there is very little strong scientific evidence from the Himalayan region to prove that traditional grazing alone causes ecological damage. In fact, many local communities believe that controlled grazing has long helped maintain biodiversity and healthy grasslands. This issue is not only environmental but also social, cultural, and political. Alpine pastures are more than grazing lands, they are shared community resources deeply connected to the culture, traditions, spirituality, and livelihoods of mountain people. Restricting access to these lands has weakened traditional rights and increased uncertainty for pastoral communities. Most studies on Himalayan pastures have focused mainly on livestock and natural resources, while giving less attention to local institutions, traditional knowledge, and the everyday struggles of pastoral communities. There is also limited understanding of how conservation policies affect the livelihoods and rights of local people living around protected areas. This paper argues that conservation efforts in the Himalayas cannot succeed if local communities are excluded from decision-making. Sustainable management of fragile mountain ecosystems requires the active participation of pastoralists and local residents. A balanced approach is needed, one that protects biodiversity while also respecting traditional rights, cultural values, and the economic well-being of Himalayan pastoral communities.
Nutraceutical-rich functional foods have gained popularity in recent years as means of improving human health. Nearly 200 distinct kinds of nutritional and bioactive substances, such as phytosterols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, sugar alcohols, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenols, are found in seabuckthorn berries. A few seabuckthorn-based functional food products have been developed and clinically tested. Additionally, the author’s lab has created two fruit-based, probiotic-fortified functional beverages (apple and seabuckthorn) that effectively guard against intestinal inflammation, particularly inflammatory bowel disease as tested in animal models. The author’s team has also created a unique seabuckthorn wine by co-fermenting seabuckthorn with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Issatchenkia orientalis, which was tested for hypercholesterolaemia effects in mice. Future applications require cutting-edge technologies to develop seabuckthorn-based formulations with enhanced functional properties. Innovations such as the use of non-thermal procedures like high pressure processing can help preserve the maximum content of phytonutrients and nutraceuticals in seabuckthorn-based ready-to-serve products. Furthermore, lack of sufficient in vivo models to definitively demonstrate that seabuckthorn preparations enhance hemostasis and cardiovascular or cancer diseases is another bottleneck that needs to be addressed. Little is known about how seabuckthorn preparations—especially commercial ones—affect human hemostasis, cardiovascular diseases, and other metabolic disorders in the scientific literature. Neither the prophylactic nor therapeutic dosages of seabuckthorn preparations are known at this time, nor are there any particular guidelines for their administration. In future, more large-scale, randomized clinical trials are required, particularly with both healthy and patient subjects.
Biomanufacturing relies on microorganisms as production platforms due to their inherent metabolic versatility, rapid growth, and suitability for scalable biological processes. Compared to plant and mammalian systems, microbial platforms are preferred because they enable efficient process control, flexible substrate utilization, and straightforward translation from laboratory to industrial scale. Central to the success of microbial biomanufacturing is strain engineering, which allows the redirection of metabolic fluxes, enhancement of product yields, and improvement of robustness under industrial operating conditions. Despite advances in molecular and systems level tools, strain improvement remains a major bottleneck, particularly when transitioning from proof-of-concept to large-scale production. Additional challenges include process scale-up, infrastructure availability, regulatory harmonization, and workforce capacity. In the Indian context, national initiatives such as Make in India and the BioE3 policy are supporting the development of domestic biomanufacturing capabilities, however, continued dependence on imported single-use components and high capital and operational costs limit broader adoption. Future progress is expected to be driven by systematic strain engineering, data-driven design–build-test cycles, and integrated biofoundry models, enabling the establishment of a resilient and competitive biomanufacturing ecosystem.
The cold arid Ladakh region in the north-western Himalaya represents one of the most extreme environments, where low precipitation, harsh temperatures, and a short growing season constrain vegetation growth. Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch is a main conifer species in this region, forming sparse woodlands and isolated stands between 3,200 and 4,400 m asl. Its longevity, slow growth, and sensitivity to environmental stress make it well-suited for dendroclimatic studies. In this study, we examined the distribution, ecological traits, and climatic growth response of J. polycarpos in Ladakh. Tree-ring samples were collected from climatically stressed sites in Kargil and Leh districts of Ladakh, and standard dendrochronological techniques were applied to develop robust ring-width chronologies. Tree-growth-climate analysis indicates that radial growth is primarily influenced by moisture availability, showing positive correlations with May precipitation and negative responses to May temperature. High mean sensitivity and strong inter-series correlation demonstrate the suitability of J. polycarpos for high-resolution climatic studies. These findings emphasize its value as a dendroclimatic archive in the data-scarce cold deserts of the Himalaya and provide insights into forest responses to ongoing climate change.
Capparis spinosa L. (Capara or caper bush) is a perennial climber adapted naturally to the cold desert of the trans-Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. The species is collected from the wild, holds significant cultural value and has a role in the traditional cuisine as well as the medicine system of Spitians belonging to the Bhoti ethnic community. Under the risk of developmental activities such as mountain cuttings, excavation, path broadening, etc., the climbers are always seen uprooted, strangled, hanging on the cliff near roads in Spiti Valley. In a recent scenario, these spiny-bushes are ignored by denizens on their farms and referred to as less commercial than domesticated horticultural crops. Consequently, its utilisation remains limited to household consumption with minimal attention to its commercial and ecological aspects. Hence, propagation trials on standardization of site-specific agro-techniques for multiplication and domestication of wild germplasm have been undertaken at Regional Horticultural Research Sub-Station (RHRSS) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Tabo, (H.P). As per previous literature studies, both sexual and asexual propagation methods have been tested using seeds and vegetative methods such as stem/root cuttings, respectively. However, consecutive three-year trials (2023-2025) of propagation methods have consistently showed poor establishment with unsuccessful results. The conducted trials indicate this medicinal plant species is still as difficult to propagate a crop in a cold desert region. With these constraints, attention must be given to strengthening in situ conservation to ensure its sustenance in natural habitats.
The high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh represents a polyextreme environment where low temperature, repeated freeze-thaw cycles, desiccation, intense solar radiation, and salinity fluctuations collectively shape microbial survival. In the present study, water samples from Pangong Lake and the Indus River were used to isolate culturable bacteria across NaCl gradients (0.9-12%, w/v) at 20 and 37 °C. A total of 112 bacterial isolates were recovered and screened for extracellular amylase, protease, cellulase, and xylanase production, revealing broad hydrolytic potential along with notable pigmentation diversity. Six representative enzyme-hyperproducing isolates were selected for phenotypic, biochemical, and 16S rRNA gene-based characterization and showed closest affiliation to Halobacillus trueperi, Alkalibacillus flavidus, Glutamicibacter nicotianae, Brachybacterium rhamnosum, and Pantoea vagans. To extend the culture-based observations, comparative in silico analyses were performed using publicly available reference proteomes corresponding to the closest identified taxa. These analyses revealed trends associated with adaptation to low temperature and osmotic stress, including variation in glycine-to-proline ratio, shifts in mean isoelectric point, and reduced salt-bridge networks in modeled cold shock proteins relative to the thermophilic reference Thermus thermophilus. Comparative gene mining also indicated the presence of UV-repair and oxidative-stress functions relevant to persistence in high-altitude environments. Together, these findings highlight the biotechnological potential of culturable Ladakh bacteria as sources of hydrolases active under combined cold and saline conditions, while providing preliminary comparative insights into molecular traits associated with survival in high-altitude cold-desert habitats.
