Explore Natural Beauty of India: Tso Moriri, Leh

Tso Moriri, Leh – The Lake

Tso Moriri is situated at an altitude of about 4,522 m (14,836 ft) in the Changthang Plateau in Rupshu Valley. It is the largest of the high-altitude lakes entirely within India and entirely within Ladakh in this Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region. It is about 16 miles (26 km) north to south in length and two to three miles (3 to 5 km) wide. The lake has no outlet at present and the water is brackish though not very perceptible to taste. The lake is fed by springs and snowmelt from the adjacent mountains. Most water enters the lake in two major stream systems, one entering the lake from the north, the other from the southwest. Both stream systems include extensive marshes where they enter the lake.

It formerly had an outlet to the south, but this has become blocked, and the lake has become an endorheic lake. The lake is oligotrophic in nature, and its waters are alkaline. The lake, with water spread area of 120 km2 (46 sq.mi) is enclosed by peaks exceeding 6,000 meters on both the east and west sides including Mentok Kangri and Lungser Kangri. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 m (130 ft). On the south, a nearly flat valley connects with but does not drain into or out of the Pare Chu river which is part of Sutlej river basin. Lingdi Nadi, major tributary of Tso Moriri, drains western catchment area of the lake and joins the lake on its south side.

This valley contains the Nuro Sumdo wetlands (with a catchment area of 20 km2 or 7.7 sq mi), a boggy area that mostly drains into the Pare Chu. Geologically the lake is in Ordovician rock. The lake and surrounding area are protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. There is a small lake called Lake of Joy situated to the north east of Tso Moriri. Changpa, the nomadic migratory shepherds (pastoral community) of yak, sheep, goat, and horses of Tibetan origin and who are engaged in trade and work on caravans in Ladakh region, are the main inhabitants of the area.

Changpa (Champa) herders use the land of this valley as grazing ground and for cultivation. The accessibility to the lake is largely limited to summer season, though Korzok on the northwest shore and the military facilities on the eastern shores have year-round habitation. The Korzok Monastery, on the western bank of the lake is 400 years old and attracts tourists and Buddhist pilgrims. The barley fields at Korzok have been described as the highest cultivated land in the world. Tourism during May – September attracts large number of foreign and local tourists even though tented accommodation is the facility available, apart from a small PWD guest house close to the lake.