A Shelter so High! – Awesome Guide for CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 13

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Our learning resources for the chapter A Shelter So High! in Class 5 EVS are designed to help you understand the concepts with clarity and ease. This page provides a comprehensive learning experience with clear explanations and real-life examples.

A Shelter So High! Exploring the Unique Homes of Jammu and Kashmir

A Traveler’s Tale: Meet Gaurav Jani and Loner 

Gaurav Jani, a passionate traveller, loves to escape the noisy streets of Mumbai with his motorcycle, fondly named Loner. Together, they journey through incredible landscapes across India. In this chapter, Gaurav takes us on his two-month-long adventure to the high roads of Jammu and Kashmir.

Getting Ready for the Journey 

Before setting off, Gaurav packed carefully:

• Tent and sleeping bag: To protect against the cold nights.
• Plastic sheets and warm clothes: For extra warmth.
• Food and extra petrol cans: To last through remote areas.
• Camera: To capture the beauty of his journey.

His journey began in Mumbai, traveling through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and finally to Delhi before heading to the mountains. 

Find Out: A Shelter So High!

• Trace Gaurav’s route from Mumbai to Leh on a map. Which states and capitals did he pass through?

Exploring Manali: The Gateway to the Mountains 

After reaching Delhi, Gaurav made his way to Manali, nestled in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. The fresh mountain air and views of houses with sloping roofs were a refreshing change from the cities he had passed through.

Houses in Manali with sloping roofs to handle snowfall.

Reaching Leh: A Cold Desert Like No Other 

Leh is a unique cold desert with high, dry, and flat terrain surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Gaurav saw beautiful whitewashed houses and met children who greeted him warmly with “Jule, Jule!” meaning “Welcome, Welcome!” 

Tashi’s Home: A Unique Design for the Cold 

Tashi invited Gaurav to his house, A Shelter So High!, which was built to withstand harsh winters:

• Thick walls of stones coated with mud and lime: For insulation.
• Ground floor: Used for animals and storage. The family also moves here during winter.
• Flat roofs: To dry vegetables, fruits, and even cow dung cakes for fuel.
• Wooden ceilings: Provide warmth and strength.

Traditional houses in Leh with flat roofs and stone walls.

Questions to Explore: A Shelter So High!

1. Why does Tashi’s family live on the ground floor during winters?
2. What do you use your house roof for?

The Changthang Plateau: High Up with the Changpas!

As Gaurav climbed higher, he reached the Changthang Plateau, located at 5000 meters above sea level. Breathing was tough at such high altitudes, and the region had no petrol pumps or mechanics—only endless blue skies and beautiful lakes.

There, he met the Changpas, a nomadic tribe who:

• Live in Rebo tents, A Shelter So High! made of yak hair, which are warm and durable.
• Depend on Pashmina goats, which provide the world-famous Pashmina wool.
• Move frequently with their sheep and goats in search of grazing lands.

Rebo tents of the Changpa tribe.

The Story of Pashmina Wool 

Did you know that a Pashmina shawl is as warm as six sweaters? These shawls are handwoven in Kashmir using wool from Pashmina goats. It takes:

• 5000 meters altitude for goats to grow soft hair.
• 250 hours of weaving to make one plain shawl.

Activity: Guess the Warmth!

• Compare the thickness of six hairs from your head. That’s how fine Pashmina wool is!

On to Srinagar: Houses on Water 

In Srinagar, Gaurav discovered:

• Houseboats: Beautiful wooden homes on Dal Lake.
• Donga boats: Small boats used as floating homes.
• Wooden houses: With intricate carvings called khatamband, resembling jigsaw puzzles.
• Dab windows: Project out from the wall, offering scenic views.

A houseboat in Srinagar with stunning wooden carvings.

Explore and Compare: A Shelter So High!

• How are houseboats in Srinagar different from houses in your area?

Learning from the Journey 

By the end of his journey, Gaurav had experienced:

• Leh’s cold deserts: With houses built to store warmth.
• Changthang’s nomadic life: With mobile shelters.
• Srinagar’s water homes: Built to suit life on the lake.

He realized how homes reflect the climate and needs of the people who live there. 

Interactive Activity: Build Your Dream Home!

Design a house for a unique place:

• Imagine a house on a mountain, desert, or even underwater! 
• Draw your design and label its features, explaining how it suits the environment.
• Share it with your classmates and explain your ideas.

What We’ve Learned About Shelters

• Homes are designed based on climate, materials available, and needs.
• From flat-roofed homes in Leh to floating homes in Srinagar, every shelter tells a story.

Think About It:

• What makes your house special?
• Could you live in a house like Tashi’s or a houseboat?

Let’s appreciate the diverse homes across India and learn from their stories!

To read the NCERT text of A Shelter so High!, click here.
To read our notes for the previous chapter, What if it Finishes…?, click here.