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Jammu & Kashmir Pangong Lake
This lake has derived this name from the Tibetan word of Banggong Co and it literally means, long, narrow and enchanted lake.This lake is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas and is situated at the height of 1,350 meters of 14,270 feet. The lake is 134 km long and 60% of the lake is under the control of China. The rest of the lake comes under the control of Tibet and India. The complete area covered by the lake measures about 604 square kilometers. In the winter season, the lake gets completely frozen despite the fact that the water is saline water.
Though the lake is situated in the border line of India and China and is the reason of a huge dispute, the beauty and mesmerizing capacity of the lake hasn’t gone away. People who visit the lake get enchanted by the beauty of the surrounding. Indeed a lake in such a high altitude, surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas and having such azure water is bound to impress the travelers. At present, the lake is under a process of identification in the Ramsar Convention. The aim of the convention is to bring out the lake as an internationally recognized water body.
History
If you are interested to know about the history of the Pangong Lake, then you need to know that it has been created under the whim of Mother Nature. Nestled in such a high altitude and amongst the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas, indeed the lake is one of the best things nature has provided to the mankind. Though, no one knows about the history of this lake, it can be said that the lake was there from a long time and became famous after being discovered. If you are thinking that the lake does not have a history of its own, then you are wrong.
Most of the history, this lake possesses is streaked with political feud. The discontent is still there, but after the Indo China war of 1962, the situation has changed a little and all the countries are trying to live with their parts in peace.The very first treaty on the rights of the lake was signed way back in 1684 between Deldan Namgyal, the king of Ladakh and the Regent of Tibet. This treaty is known as the Treaty of Tingmosgang. Under this treaty, the lake had been divided between Tibet and Ladakh. Now the sharing is done by India and China.
Attraction
The main attraction of the lake to the tourists here is the beauty of the lake. If you visit the lake, then you will be able to feel and experience beauty at its best. The blue water and the enchanting surrounding are the best and most powerful attractions here. If you are think aboutr water sport or boating or any such attcrtaion, then you are asking for too much. There isn’t anything like that. Apart from the lake, there is the Darbuk village which is the spot of a chain of war memorials built in the memory of the soldiers killed in the Indo-China war.
How To Reach
To reach the lake, you have to make the approach for Leh. The lake is about five hour’s drive for Leh. You have to rent a car or hire the private cars available there to reach the pristine beauty of the lake. You can hire a taxi for the journey too. This is indeed the second part of the journey, in the first part you need to reach Leh. There are regular flights from Delhi to Leh and you can avail the one you want. Then the taxi or car will take you to the destination.
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