Which high-altitude lake in Ladakh is shared between India and China?
a) Wular Lake
b) Pangong Tso
c) Dal Lake
d) Tso Moriri
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Answer: b) Pangong Tso
Explanation
- Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake): Located in eastern Ladakh at an elevation of approximately 4,350 meters (14,270 feet), Pangong Tso is a famous endorheic (landlocked) high-altitude lake in the Himalayas.
- Geographical Distribution: The lake extends over 134 kilometers in length, but only about one-third (approx. 40-45 km) of its length lies in India (Ladakh), while the remaining two-thirds lies within Tibetan territory controlled by China.
- Key Characteristics:
- It is known for its brackish water that dynamically changes shades of blue, green, and turquoise under sunlight.
- Despite being saline/brackish water, the lake freezes completely solid during severe winter temperatures.
- The Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China passes right through the lake’s waters.
Overview of Other Options
- a) Wular Lake: Located in Jammu and Kashmir; India’s largest natural freshwater lake, completely within Indian territory.
- c) Dal Lake: Located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir; an urban freshwater lake.
- d) Tso Moriri: Another famous high-altitude brackish water lake in eastern Ladakh, but it lies entirely within India and is designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site.
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