Which of the following is a cold desert region lying in the Great Himalayas?

Introduction / Context:
In physical geography, deserts are not always hot and sandy. Some high altitude regions with very low temperatures and sparse precipitation are classified as cold deserts. The Great Himalayas and adjoining high plateaus contain such cold desert landscapes. This question asks you to identify which of the listed regions is a cold desert lying in or near the Great Himalayan range, testing your knowledge of India's high altitude environments.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Four options are given: Ladakh, Satpura, Aravalli and Vindhya. - The question specifies a cold desert region within the Great Himalayas. - We assume standard Indian physical geography classifications. - Only one of these regions satisfies both the "cold desert" and "Great Himalayas" criteria.

Concept / Approach:
Ladakh is a high altitude region located in the northernmost part of India, within the greater Himalayan and trans Himalayan zone. It exhibits very low temperatures, scanty rainfall and barren, rocky terrain, making it a classic example of a cold desert. In contrast, Satpura, Aravalli and Vindhya are ranges located in central and western India, far from the Great Himalayas and not classified as cold deserts. Therefore, the correct approach is to recognise Ladakh as the only option that fits the described characteristics.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Ladakh as a region in the northern Himalayas and Karakoram area, known for high altitude valleys and rugged mountains. Step 2: Recall that Ladakh receives very little rainfall due to its position in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and experiences severe cold, qualifying it as a cold desert. Step 3: Consider Satpura, which is a range of hills in central India across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; it has a tropical to subtropical climate, not a cold desert environment. Step 4: Recognise that the Aravalli range runs across Rajasthan and Haryana; parts of it are semi arid but not a high altitude cold desert in the Great Himalayas. Step 5: Note that the Vindhya range is also in central India and does not have cold desert conditions. Step 6: Conclude that Ladakh is the cold desert region lying in the Great Himalayas.

Verification / Alternative check:
Atlas maps and geography textbooks commonly label Ladakh as a cold desert because of its sparse vegetation, extreme diurnal temperature range and low precipitation. Photographs and climatic data further support this classification. None of the other three ranges are ever described as cold deserts; instead, they are associated with plateau or hill regions in central and western India. Comparing altitude, latitude and climate across the options confirms that only Ladakh fits the question's description.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Satpura is wrong because, although it is a hilly region, it lies in central India with a more moderate climate and does not qualify as a cold desert.

Aravalli is wrong since it is an ancient fold mountain range in north western India; parts of it pass through semi arid areas but it is not a high altitude Himalayan cold desert.

Vindhya is wrong because it is a range of hills in central India and lacks the high altitude and extreme cold conditions characteristic of Ladakh.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may focus on the word "desert" and think only of Rajasthan and the Thar Desert, overlooking that the question specifies a cold desert in the Great Himalayas. Others may not clearly differentiate between Himalayan ranges and peninsular hill systems, leading to confusion between Ladakh and other ranges. To avoid such errors, remember that Ladakh, parts of Lahaul and Spiti and some Tibetan plateau areas are classic examples of cold deserts associated with the Himalayas.

Final Answer:
The cold desert region lying in the Great Himalayas is Ladakh.