Plants of Ladakh: A Photographic Guide by Konchok Dorjey and Phuntsog Dolma captures over 200 species of plants (and mushrooms) from the high-altitude Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh.
The photographic field guide provides a glimpse into the lives of 193 species of plants and a handful of mushroom species found in Ladakh. The authors spent over two years completing the fieldwork, taking pains to visit very remote places to document and study the species that they have compiled in the book.
Dr Konchok Dorjey is a botanist, mycologist and a teacher, presently working as an Assistant Professor of Botany at Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh. Phuntsog Dolma is a plant enthusiast, currently working as a Flock Supervisor in the District Sheep Husbandry Department, Leh.
The authors realised the need for such a book as it would be handy for students and researchers, primarily from Ladakh, who have a keen interest in plants. Dorjey and Dolma thought it necessary to encapsulate the floral diversity of the region, as there is very little previous documentation of the floral diversity of Ladakh. The field guide describes the plants in a simple but effective manner, and is accessible to all readers. The photographs used in the book bring to life all the species that have been described, making it easy for even the layman to identify plants. The book has been designed by Manini Sutaria Shah.
"I would encourage any traveller to Ladakh to make space for this book in their daypack. Konchok and Phuntsog provide a glimpse into the lives of 193 species of plants found in Ladakh. They have covered most of the species one would encounter while travelling across this beautiful mountainous region." writes Dr Charudutt Mishra, Scientist, Nature Conservation Foundation, in the foreword of the book.
Published by the Nature Conservation Foundation, the book can be purchased online.
