Pangong Tso

Why in news?

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

About Pangong Tso:

• Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and West Tibet
• Situated at a height of about 4,350 m, it is world's highest salt water lake.
• Nearly 60% of the length of the lake lies within the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
• The Line of Actual Control passes through this lake.
• During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.
• It is not a part of the Indus river basin area and geographically is a separate landlocked river basin.
• The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini duck.

Add ons:

• The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.
• This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Pangong Tso?

1. It is a salt water lake located in Ladakh

2. The Line of Actual Control passes through this lake.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer