S. No.

Item

Area (ha)

1

Under Buildings

0.03

2.

Under Demonstration Units

0.05

3.

Under Crops

0.55

4.

Horti- pastoral

0.40

5.

Silvi-pastoral

1.57

PARTICULARS

LAHAUL-SPITI

Total population

Male

Female

31,564

16,588 (52.55%)

14,976 (47.45%)

Sex Ratio/1000 male

903

Density per sq. km.

2

Literacy rate (%)

Male

Female

76.81%

85.69%

66.84%

Main workers (Nos.)

Cultivators

Agril. Labourers

Household industries

Other workers

19,295

11,227

572

167

7,329

Total geographical area(000, ha) 

911.1

Climate and Soil

Due to variation in geographical location, altitude, topography etc. there is great diversity in climate. In general the climate is extremely cold and heavy snowfall occurs during winter and the temperature remains several degrees below zero. Winter season extends from November to March and the district remains cut off from the rest of the world during this period. The spring-summer seasons are from April to September and monthly maximum and minimum temperature varies between 12-24°C and 4.7-17°C, respectively. The rainfall also varies from one location to another (90-470.3 mm) with average rainfall of 250 mm per annum. The soil of the district is sandy to sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, and low to medium in fertility.

Crops and Cropping Pattern

The agriculture in the district has virtually Kharif/summer as full cropping season. The area is famous for production of off-season pea, seed potato and hops. Of late due to marketing problem area under hops has decreased tremendously during the last five years. Other crops grown in the area are barley, buckwheat, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, wheat, French beans, kuth, tomato and capsicum are also grown. In Spiti, the farmers also grow peas and take it as pulse. In general, mono cropping is followed and all crops are grown simultaneously from April-October. However, in Udaipur sub-division of Lahaul, double cropping system viz. pea-buckwheat, pea - mustard, barley-buckwheat and peas-oats/maize for fodder is followed. The climate is suitable for seed production of red clover and other temperate grasses and vegetables. All crops are raised under irrigated conditions through 'Kuhls' in which natural gravitational water flows. The 'Kuhls' are fed by melting snow of glaciers, snow fields and avalanches.

Agro Forestry and Pasture Lands

Fodder trees like willow (Salix alba) and Robinia (Robinia pseudoacasia) are grown by the farmers on sloppy lands near the village on community basis. Farmers also raise willow and seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp.) on field bunds. Willow is the major component of this system which is relied upon for the supply of fodder, fuel and timber. In Lahaul, farmers have pastures where grasslands are irrigated to get luxuriant growth of grasses.

        Farmers of the valley are also growing medicinal plants like kuth and manu in their cultivated fields. Some farmers also collect the important medicinal and aromatic plants from the high altitude areas of the valley like karu, patish, panja, ban kakri, chora and kalazira. Hops are also cultivated by some farmers of Pattan valley.

Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry remains an indispensable sector in agriculture of Lahaul and Spiti. In spite of adverse climate and scarce fodder very good cross breeds of Jersey cows are found with every house hold. Good cross breeds of sheep are also available in the valley. Other than that a traditional cross between yak and cow called “Churu/Churi” is also found. Female (Churi) is used as milk animal and male (Churu) is a very efficient draught animal in the harsh climate and difficult terrain.