A team of researchers from the Ladakh Science and Technology Council, along with scientists from IISER Mohali, have discovered dormant microbial life deep within glacial caves of the Zanskar range. The organisms, dated to be over 5,000 years old, show extraordinary cold adaptation and protein stability. These microbes have potential applications in cryopreservation, cold-resistant agriculture, and even space biology. The research was peer-reviewed and featured in an international journal. Ladakh is now pushing for conservation of such caves as bio-heritage zones.