The term Pangong Tso is Tibetan and stands for narrow, long and enchanted lake. Some even call it simply by Pangong. This endorheic lake is a part of the Himalayas and is located at an elevation of around 4,400m. It has a length of 134km and the most surprising thing is that it starts in India and extends up to Tibet.
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| Pangong Tso | Image Resource : wikipedia.org |
In summer season, the water in the lake completely fresh and in its normal form. The locals informed us that despite containing saline water, the lake freeze up totally during the months of winter. They also informed us that only around 40% of the lake is in India. In total, the lake is spread over an area of 604 sq. km.
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| Pangong Tso Lake | Image Resource : wikipedia.org |
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| Frozen Pangong Lake | Image Resource : Wikipedia.org |
There are chances that the lake may be identified as an internationally important lake under the Ramsar reunion. If it turns into reality, then Pangong Tso Lake will hold the record of being the first trans boundary wetland from South Asia to come under the convention’s supervision. Unfortunately, the lake is situated in a troubled territory. The dispute is amongst Tibet, China, India and Pakistan claiming control different areas covered by the lake.
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| Pangong Tso Lake | Image Resource : wikipedia.org |
Pangong Tso can be arrive at in a five-hour drive from Leh, most of it on a rough and dramatic mountain road. The road crosses the villages of Shey and Gya and traverses the Changla pass, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. We also learnt that foreigners need to be in a group of at least three people and headed by a recognized guide in order to reach the lake. The permit was obtained from a tourist office after a small fee.
