Published on: November 18, 2022

Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Tso Lake

Why in news?  

The Army has deployed new landing docks and speedboats for patrolling on the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, matching the Chinese deployments on the lake for border management 

Highlights

  • Deployment is the overall capability enhancement and infrastructure development taken up by India since the 2020 stand-off
  • It is to plug deficiencies and catch up with the Chinese build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

About Pangong Tso lake ?

  • Nature: Endorheic lake
  • Location : Eastern Ladakh and West Tibet
  • It is divided into five sublakes, called Pangong Tso, Tso Nyak, Rum Tso (twin lakes) and Nyak Tso.
  • Controlling countries: 50% in Tibet in China, 40% in Ladakh, India and the remaining 10% is disputed and is a de-facto buffer zone between India and China.
  • During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.
  • River: Indus
  • The brackish water of the lake has very low micro-vegetation
  • On the Indian side, an Inner Line Permit is required to visit the lake as it lies on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control