LEH (LADAKH) (PTI): Pangong Tso, one of the world’s highest and brackish lakes, is set to become 4 major tourist attractions in this frontier region of Jammu And Kashmir State with the government already formulating plans to create infrastructure facilities four tourists, reports say on Sept.19.

‘The lake in the background high barren mountain ranges called Pangong Mountains which form beautiful landscapes in all directions.

Occasionally, some migratory birds flock the lake and they break the placidity of water while they swim through it. There is no vegetation around. Dwarf lizards are the only life seen near the lake.

Since there is no outlet, the lake water is highly brackish. The basin of the lake is said to contain minerals deposited by melting snow.

This hitherto forbidden lake, in existence for centuries, is historical too. Documents reveal this beautiful lake was divided between Ladakh and Tibet as early as in 1684 under the treaty of Tingmosgang signed between the king of Ladakh and the regent of Tibet at the royal residence at Tingmosgang, located near Khaltse.

The treaty fixed boundaries between Ladakh and Tibet which continued till Sunday.

The army authorities, who keep constant surveillance in the area, said earlier China, had 90 km of the lake but in 1962 border war, it extended its territory by another 10 km.

The army authorities have made arrangements for boating but it is not allowed beyond half a km for Civilians and that too with special arrangement, Army men themselves venture only up to three km. Beyond that, the lake is 200 fi deep. The width of the lake is 700 to 800 for the Indian side.

The lake is frozen up to four feet from December to February, There is Shortage of drinking water around the lake as its salty water is not fit for human consumption.

Access to the lake is through the Changla pass situated at a eight of 17,350 feet.

At present, the lake area and the: route are devoid of any infrastructure facilities except a two room rest house at Tangtse, nearly 40 km before of the lake, This tract passes through sandy desert.

The other three places of inner line in Ladakh, which are being opened to tourists, include Tso Moram Lake. Nubra valley and Chang-Thang. These ‘spots form 4 tract from northwest to southeast along the border with Pak, China and Tibet.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 24, 1993