A white revolution of sort is brewing in the barren landscape of Ladakh, where even a blade of grass is a rare sight in the high altitude desert.
Nomadic hill tribes, who for centuries have survived on morsels of 'Satu,' are now treating themselves to daily glassfuls of milk.
This 'milk revolution' has been brought about by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, known more for developing missiles, tanks and fighters.
DRDO specialists have developed hybrid cows, which produce more milk in high altitude area.
Scientists at the Leh-based Regional Research Laboratory have cross-bred the region's famous yaks with high yielding Swiss cows to produce a new breed, which can withstand extremely high altitudes.
These cross-breeds yield a minimum of 18 litres of milk a day.
W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller for Research and Development in DRDO, said 40 cross breeds have been so far produced and handed over to villagers in and around Leh, opening new means of livelihood for people.
"We are going in for more such breeding of these high yielding cows to boost the supply of milk in these high-altitude areas," he said.
Selvamurthy said DRDO scientists are also the ones who developed a health beverage now popularly called 'Leh Berry' that is proving to be a very popular anti-oxidant.
DRDO has also developed and tested battery-operated socks and gloves for use in cold regions, he added.
© 2026