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		<title>Theentrepreneur: new the article needs work</title>
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		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;new the article needs work&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New page&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;{{Short description|Lake in Ladakh, India}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Infobox body of water&lt;br /&gt;
| name               = Tso Moriri&lt;br /&gt;
| other_name         = &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;!--    Images     --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| image              = Tso Moriri, Ladakh (34855616204).jpg&lt;br /&gt;
| alt                = View of the Tso Moriri Lake&lt;br /&gt;
| caption            = View of the Tso Moriri Lake in Changthang district (Ladakh)&lt;br /&gt;
| image_bathymetry   = &lt;br /&gt;
| alt_bathymetry     = &lt;br /&gt;
| caption_bathymetry = &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;!--    Stats      --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| location           = &lt;br /&gt;
| group              = &lt;br /&gt;
| coordinates        = {{coord|32|54|N|78|18|E|type:waterbody_region:IN|display=inline,title}}&lt;br /&gt;
| type               = &lt;br /&gt;
| etymology          = &lt;br /&gt;
| part_of            = &lt;br /&gt;
| inflow             = Snow Melt in summer&lt;br /&gt;
| rivers             = &lt;br /&gt;
| outflow            = &lt;br /&gt;
| oceans             = &lt;br /&gt;
| catchment          = {{convert|2298|km2|abbr=on}}&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|title=India WRIS Geoviewer |url=https://indiawris.gov.in/wris/#/Geoviewer|access-date=30 September 2024 }}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| basin_countries    = [[India]]&lt;br /&gt;
| agency             = &lt;br /&gt;
| designation        = {{Designation list&lt;br /&gt;
 | embed = yes&lt;br /&gt;
 | designation1 = Ramsar&lt;br /&gt;
 | designation1_offname = Tsomoriri&lt;br /&gt;
 | designation1_date = 19 August 2002&lt;br /&gt;
 | designation1_number = 1213&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|title=Tsomoriri|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1213|access-date=25 April 2018}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;}}&lt;br /&gt;
| date-built         = &amp;lt;!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} For man-made and other recent bodies of water --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| engineer           = &lt;br /&gt;
| date-flooded       = &amp;lt;!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} For man-made and other recent bodies of water --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| length             = {{convert|26|km|mi|abbr=on}}&lt;br /&gt;
| width              = {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}}&lt;br /&gt;
| area               = {{convert|13500|ha|acre|abbr=on}}&lt;br /&gt;
| depth              = &amp;lt;!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| max-depth          = {{convert|105|m|ft|abbr=on}}&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite journal |last1=Mishra |first1=Praveen K. |last2=Anoop |first2=A. |last3=Schettler |first3=G. |last4=Prasad |first4=Sushma |last5=Jehangir |first5=A. |last6=Menzel |first6=P. |last7=Naumann |first7=R. |last8=Yousuf |first8=A.R. |last9=Basavaiah |first9=N. |last10=Deenadayalan |first10=K. |last11=Wiesner |first11=M.G. |last12=Gaye |first12=B. |title=Reconstructed late Quaternary hydrological changes from Lake Tso Moriri, NW Himalaya |journal=Quaternary International |date=June 2015 |volume=371 |pages=76–86 |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2014.11.040 |bibcode=2015QuInt.371...76M |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1040618214009082 |access-date=30 March 2023|url-access=subscription }}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| volume             = &amp;lt;!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| residence_time     = &lt;br /&gt;
| salinity           = &lt;br /&gt;
| shore              = &amp;lt;!-- {{convert|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| elevation          = {{convert|4522|m|ft|abbr=on}}&lt;br /&gt;
| frozen             = &lt;br /&gt;
| islands            = &lt;br /&gt;
| islands_category   = &lt;br /&gt;
| sections           = &lt;br /&gt;
| trenches           = &lt;br /&gt;
| benches            = &lt;br /&gt;
| cities             = [[Korzok]]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;!--      Map      --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| pushpin_map        = India Ladakh#India&lt;br /&gt;
| pushpin_label_position = &lt;br /&gt;
| pushpin_map_alt    = &lt;br /&gt;
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Tso Moriri&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;!--   Below       --&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| website            = &lt;br /&gt;
| reference          = &lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Frozen, Tso Moriri.jpg|thumb|Tso Moriri frozen.]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Tso Moriri&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039; or &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Lake Moriri&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039; ({{bo|t=ལྷ་མོའི་བླ་མཚོ|w=lha mo bla mtsho}}, ‘Mountain Lake’), {{convert|4522|m|ft|abbr=on}}, is a pristine high-altitude lake and a [[Ramsar site|Ramsar Wetland Site]]&amp;lt;ref name= wetlands/&amp;gt; in the remote [[Changthang]] Plateau (literally: northern plains) in the [[Changthang district]] of the [[union territory]] of [[Ladakh]] in [[India]]. As the largest high-altitude lake entirely within India and Ladakh&amp;#039;s Trans-Himalayan region, it spans 26 km north-south and 3-5 km wide. The lake is fed by three primary glacial streams - Karzok Phu (west), Gyama Phu (north), and Phirse Phu (southwest) - which form extensive [[marshe]]s at their [[River delta|delta]]s. Though now an [[endorheic lake]] due to its blocked southern outlet, Tso Moriri maintains slightly [[Brackish water|brackish]] yet [[Drinking water|palatable waters]]. Its [[Oligotrophic lake|oligotrophic]] (nutrient-poor), [[Alkali|alkaline]] ecosystem supports unique biodiversity. The area gained protection as the &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, though accessibility remains limited mostly to summer months. Year-round settlements exist only at [[Karzok]] village (northwest shore) and military outposts along the eastern banks, enduring the extreme high-altitude climate.&amp;lt;ref name=tsomo&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/tsomoriri.cfm |title=WWF - Tsomoriri |access-date=2009-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025182618/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/tsomoriri.cfm |archive-date=25 October 2007 |df=dmy-all }} Tso Moriri&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The nearest airport is 219 km northwest at [[Leh|Leh City]], capital of [[Ladakh]], the nearest rail access will be at [[Miru, Ladakh|Miroo]] station on the under-construction [[Bhanupli-Leh line]]. Road access to Tso Moriri is available from multiple directions: from the north via Sumdo along the ([[Salt_Valley#MPSM|Miroo-Puga-Sumdo-Mahe Road]] connecting to [[Salt_Valley#SKR|Sumdo-Karzok Road]]; from the south through the under-construction [[Kiato-Karzok Road]]&amp;lt;!--CAUTION: retain REDLINK to encourage article creation--&amp;gt; (125 km) via the high-altitude [[Takling La]] Tunnel (5575 m) from  [[Lahaul_and_Spiti_district#Physical|Spiti Valley]];&amp;lt;ref name=kart1&amp;gt;{{Cite web&lt;br /&gt;
| url = https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/kyato-korzok-road-will-connect-himachal-to-ladakh-army-will-have-easy-access-to-china-border-2025-04-21?pageId=1&lt;br /&gt;
| title = Kyato-Korzok road will connect Himachal to Ladakh, army will have easy access to China border&lt;br /&gt;
| last =&lt;br /&gt;
| first =&lt;br /&gt;
| website = Amar Ujala&lt;br /&gt;
| date = 2025-04-21&lt;br /&gt;
| accessdate = 2025-04-22&lt;br /&gt;
}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; and from the northeast/east via the [[Hanle (village)|Hanle]]-[[Ryul Tso|Ryul]]-Tegazhung-[[Chumur]] Road network.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Geography ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{also see | Salt Valley#Geography | l1=Geography of Salt Valley | Geography of Ladakh }}&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Tso Kiagar Lake Ladakh.jpg|300px|thumb|Tso Moriri, Korzok, in Ladakh.]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Tso Moriri, Ladakh.jpg|300px|thumb|Tso Moriri, Ladakh.]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Changthang Plateau in the eastern Ladakh is an extension of the western [[Tibetan Plateau]] that lies above {{convert|4500|m|ft|abbr=on}} msl and supports diverse but low populations of several globally threatened mammals.&amp;lt;ref name = plan/&amp;gt; The lake&amp;#039;s drainage area could also be categorised as a basin since it is a [[closed drainage]] basin that retains water and allows no outflow to other bodies of water such as rivers or oceans.&amp;lt;ref name = plan/&amp;gt; The Tso Moriri lake is 20 to 50 kilometers southeast of the elevated valley of the core [[Rupshu]] Valley and falls within the greater Rupshu Plateau and valley area.&amp;lt;ref name=ladakh/&amp;gt; The lake, with water spread area of {{convert|120|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, 26 km north-south and 3-5 km wide, is enclosed by several peaks exceeding {{convert|6000|m|ft|abbr=on}} on both the east and west sides,&amp;lt;ref name=peaks1/&amp;gt; including &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Mentok Kangri&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039; and &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Lungser Kangri&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;.&amp;lt;ref name=ladakh/&amp;gt; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Geologically the Tso Moriri lake is in [[Ordovician]] rock.&amp;lt;ref name=orient&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/forktail/14pdfs/Mishra-Ladakh.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610174824/http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/forktail/14pdfs/Mishra-Ladakh.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}. The brackish water of the lake has NaC1 less than 5.85 g/L, measured in mid-summer.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=wetlands&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=http://www.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2IN018en.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527190859/http://www.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2IN018en.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2011 |df=dmy-all }}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; It is bordered by the [[Salt Valley#Geography|Salt Valley]], [[Kyago Tso]] and Puga Valley to the north; while the Tegazhung Plains (pasturelands) and Chumur region lie to its southeast. Several small mountain streams feed the lake, including one through pasture land at Peldo Le. The lake is fed by springs and snow melt and has a maximum depth of {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}}.&amp;lt;ref name=orient/&amp;gt; The primary western inflow comes from &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Lingdi River&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, the lake&amp;#039;s major tributary, which drains the western catchment before entering Tso Moriri&amp;#039;s southern shore. The lake&amp;#039;s southern edge opens into a broad, flat valley that connects with - but hydrologically remains separate from - the [[Parang River|Pare Chu river]] (part of [[Sutlej]] river basin).&amp;lt;ref name=peaks1&amp;gt;{{cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/Publications/WatershedSubbasinAtlas/13.%20Satluj%20Upper.pdf |title= Upper Sutlej basin area|access-date=14 May 2017}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; {{anchor|Nuro}}To the south of Tso Moriri lies the &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Nuro Sumdo&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039; (Narbu Sumdo) wetlands (with {{convert|20|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|disp=or}} catchment), a [[Bog|boggy]] area outside the lake&amp;#039;s drainage basin that primarily drains into the Pare Chu River system.&amp;lt;ref name=orient/&amp;gt;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Tso Moriri is categorized among the [[Himalaya]]n lakes based on origin. According to established classification systems, these lakes are divided into four groups, with Tso Moriri belonging to the third category of &amp;quot;remnant lakes&amp;quot; - water bodies that remain from much larger prehistoric lakes. The classification as reported states:&amp;lt;ref name = plan&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/tf11_ecosys.pdf |title=Report of the Task Force On the Mountain Ecosystems, Environment and Forest Sector, for Eleventh Five Year Plan 2007&amp;amp;ndash;2012 |date=November 2006 |publisher=[[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404230150/http://planningcommission.nic.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/tf11_ecosys.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;  &amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;#039;&amp;#039;(i) [[Glacial lakes]] which are formed in and around [[glaciers]]; (ii) Structural lakes, formed by folds or faults due to movements in earth’s crust (e.g. [[Nainital]] lake in [[Uttarakhand]]), (iii) &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Remnant lakes&amp;#039;&amp;#039; which were originally structural but represent the remnants of vast lakes (e.g., Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, [[Pangong Tso]] in [[Ladakh]], and [[Dal Lake]] in [[Kashmir]]), (iv) Natural dammed lakes i.e., temporary water bodies formed along the river courses due to deposition of rocks or debris e.g. Gohna Tal in [[Garhwal Division|Garhwal]], Uttarakhand.&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Climate ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Tso Moriri, Ladakh. 2010.jpg|thumb|300px|Tso Moriri, Ladakh, c. 2010.]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Aridity]] and cold [[desert]] conditions prevail in the lake region; with summer temperature varying from {{convert|0|to|30|C|F}} and winter temperature recording {{convert|-10|and|-40|C|F}}.&amp;lt;ref name=orient/&amp;gt; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==People==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Lake Tsomoriri and sign.jpg|thumb|300px|Lake Tsomoriri and sign.]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Buddhist shrine. On the banks of Tso Moriri, Ladkah, 2010.jpg|thumb|Buddhist [[shrine]]. On the banks of Tso Moriri, Ladkah, 2010.]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:At Tsomoriri there is only one camping site. Sign at Tso Moriri. 2010.jpg|thumb|350px|At Tsomoriri there is only one camping site. Sign at Tso Moriri, c. 2010.]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Changpa]], the [[nomadic]] migratory [[shepherds]] (pastoral community) of [[yak]], [[sheep]], [[goat]], and [[horse]]s of [[Tibet]]an origin and who are engaged in trade and work on caravans in [[Ladakh]] region, are the main inhabitants of the area.&amp;lt;ref name=ladakh&amp;gt;https://www.holidaymoods.in/trip-to-leh-ladakh Tsomoriri lake trecks&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20060317160342/http://www.eastmanvoyages.com/tour-options/rumtse-tsomoriri.html Article title]}} Rumtse - Tso Moriri Trek&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Changpa (Champa) herders use the land of this valley as grazing ground and for cultivation.&amp;lt;ref name = plan/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Tourism==&lt;br /&gt;
{{see also | Tourism in Ladakh }}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Karzok has homestays, [[All Ladakh Gonpa Association#Moriri|Buddhist monastery]] and lake tourism.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The [[Korzok Monastery]], on the western bank of the lake is 400 years old and attracts tourists and [[Buddhist]] pilgrims. 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.&amp;lt;ref name = tsomo/&amp;gt; Northeast of Tso Moriri is a small lake, Kyagar Tso in the Salt Valley, which is known locally as Lake of Joy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Transport==&lt;br /&gt;
{{anchor | Access}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Airports:&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport]], the nearest airport with scheduled domestic flights is at [[Leh]], {{convert|240|km}} northeast by road. &lt;br /&gt;
* [[Nyoma#Nyoma_Airbase|Nyoma Military Airbase]] is only 60-70 km away to the northeast, but as of 2025 it is not open for the civilian flights though there are plans for the [[Joint-use airport|joint-use civilian enclave]] under the [[UDAN]] scheme.&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Rangrik Rang|Rangrik Airport]], the [[List_of_airports_in_Himachal_Pradesh#List|proposed airport]] 100-120 km to the south from Karzok.&amp;lt;ref name=rang1&amp;gt;[https://www.hptourtravel.com/traveliq/airports-in-himachal-pradesh/ Airports in HP], accessed 21 Apr 2025.&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Railway:&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Miru, Ladakh|Miroo]], will be the nearest railway station at the under-construction [[Bhanupli–Leh line]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Roads:&lt;br /&gt;
* From north, via Sumdo from &amp;quot;Miroo-Puga-Sumdo-[[Mahe, Ladakh|Mahe]] Road&amp;quot; ([[Salt_Valley#MPSM|MPSM Road]]) and then travelling south on [[Salt_Valley#SKR|Sumdo-Karzok Road]]. See [[Salt_Valley#Transport|transport to Salt Valley and Tso Moriri]]. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* From south, via Kiato (near [[Kaza, Himachal Pradesh|Kaza]] in [[Lahaul_and_Spiti_district#Physical|Spiti Valley]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]]) from the 125 km long [[Kiato-Karzok Road]]&amp;lt;!--CAUTION: retain REDLINK to encourage article creation--&amp;gt; through the [[Takling La]] Tunnel (5575 m) being constructed by the [[Border Roads Organisation|BRO]] as [[Tourism_in_Ladakh#Roads|fourth alternative route to Ladakh]].&amp;lt;ref name=kart1&amp;gt;{{Cite web&lt;br /&gt;
| url = https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/kyato-korzok-road-will-connect-himachal-to-ladakh-army-will-have-easy-access-to-china-border-2025-04-21?pageId=1&lt;br /&gt;
| title = Kyato-Korzok road will connect Himachal to Ladakh, army will have easy access to China border&lt;br /&gt;
| last =&lt;br /&gt;
| first =&lt;br /&gt;
| website = Amar Ujala&lt;br /&gt;
| date = 2025-04-21&lt;br /&gt;
| accessdate = 2025-04-22&lt;br /&gt;
}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* From northeast ([[Hanle (village)|Hanle]]) and east ([[Chumur]]), near [[Ryul Tso]] on {{anchor|HRCR}}Hanle-Ryul-Chumur Road taking the {{anchor|RCR}}Ryul-Chumur Road towards south, and then taking the west turn near Tegazhung Plains (pastureland on southeast bank of Tso Moriri lake between the lake and Chumur) on the {{anchor|CTKR}}Chumur-Tegazhung-Karzok Road to go northwest to Karzok via Charchagan La (southeast bank of Tso Moriri).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Tsomoriri-[[Pangong Tso]] 235km long tourist route via [[Nyoma]], [[Chushul]] and [[Spangmik]] in the remote Changtang region, considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the entire Ladakh region, is in a good condition for the most part. There are no petrol pumps on this long route, hence carrying enough fuel is necessary. Foreigners are not allowed to go beyond the Man - Merak villages on Pangong Tso as permits are not issued for them.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Ecology==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Tsomoriri Lake.jpg|thumb|320px|right|Tso Moriri Lake during August.]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Tso Moriri basin represents a landscape of low productive ecosystems which protects unique floral and faunal species. The Working Report (2006) of the [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] of the [[Government of India]] also reports:&amp;lt;ref name = plan/&amp;gt; &amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Despite a poor vegetation cover, relatively low standing biomass and high anthropogenic pressure, this area sustains a considerably high livestock population. Steady increase in the livestock population in the area is mainly attributed to influx of nomadic herders from Tibet during recent decades and promotion of Pashmina goat production by the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) for fine quality under wool ([[Pashmina]]). The herders and AHD officials, in recent years have begun to raise concern over degradation of pastures, resultant shortage of forage, and mass mortality of livestock during severe winters.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Flora ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While deeper waters remain barren, Tso Moriri&amp;#039;s shallows support Potamogeton spp., with marshes dominated by arid-steppe vegetation including characteristic &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Caragana]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Astragalus (plant)|Astragalus]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Potamogeton]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;  species. The area features characteristic several species of &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Carex]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Primula]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; (low growing herb), &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Pedicularis]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;(parasitic plant), &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Juncus]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; &amp;#039;&amp;#039;thomsonii&amp;#039;&amp;#039; and &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Leontopodium]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; sp. Phytoplankton like &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Oocystis]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; (900 cells/L to 25m depth) and [[diatom]] &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Cyclotella&amp;#039;&amp;#039; inhabit the waters, while surrounding pastures sustain domestic livestock.&amp;lt;ref name= wetlands/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Fauna ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Kyang at Tsomoriri.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Kiang]]s in the vicinity of Tso Moriri Lake.]]&lt;br /&gt;
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An avifaunal survey of the lake and its adjoining Nuro Sumdo wetland conducted in July 1996 revealed the following facts:&amp;lt;ref name = orient/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=wetlands/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* [[Carnivores|Large carnivores]]: The [[snow leopard]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Uncia uncia&amp;#039;&amp;#039;), [[Tibetan wolf]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Canis lupus chanco&amp;#039;&amp;#039;).&amp;lt;ref name = orient/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=wetlands/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* Mammals: The tibetan gazelle, &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[procapra picticaudata]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, Goa antelope (threatened), &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Eurasian lynx]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, Nayan &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Ovis ammon]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; &amp;#039;&amp;#039;hodgsoni&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, [[Bharal]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Pseudois nayaur&amp;#039;&amp;#039;) Himalayan blue sheep, Tibetan Ass ([[Kiang]]) or  &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Equus kiang&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, endemic to the [[Tibetan Plateau]], [[Great Tibetan Sheep]], species of [[marmot]] - &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Marmota himalayana]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; (in large numbers seen on the hill slopes surrounding the lake and also along the roadsides), species of [[hare]] - &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Lepus]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; &amp;#039;&amp;#039;oistolus&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, species of [[vole]] - &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Alticola roylei]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, 3 species of [[mouse hares]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Ochotona macrotis]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;, &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Ochotona curzoniae]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; or Tibetan sand fox and &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Scincella ladacensis]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;).&amp;lt;ref name = orient/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=wetlands/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* [[Avifauna]]: The lake supports thirty-four bird species, including fourteen waterbird varieties, several of which are vulnerable or endangered. Notable among these are the endangered[[black-necked crane]]s (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;grus nigricollis&amp;#039;&amp;#039;), the [[Bar-headed goose|bar-headed geese]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;anser indicus&amp;#039;&amp;#039;) - which finds its only Indian breeding ground here, [[brown-headed gull]]s (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;larus brunnicephalus&amp;#039;&amp;#039;), [[great crested grebe]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;podiceps cristatus&amp;#039;&amp;#039;), [[Ferruginous pochard]], [[black-necked grebe]] (&amp;#039;&amp;#039;podiceps nigricollis&amp;#039;&amp;#039;).&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite journal|last=Khan|first=Asif|date=2016|title=Ladakh: The Land Beyond|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing|journal=Buceros|pages=20 Issue 3}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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==Conservation ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Tsomomiri Wetland Conservation (The Ramsar Site).jpg|thumb|350px|Conservation in Tsomomiri Wetland Conservation, [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India.]] &lt;br /&gt;
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Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, a Ramsar site,&amp;lt;ref name= wetlands/&amp;gt; is legally protected with hunting prohibitions enforced by a wildlife checkpoint at Mahe Bridge. Conservation efforts combine scientific research, community engagement, and institutional support:&amp;lt;ref name=fresh&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/wetlands_ladakh/index.cfm |title=WWF - Conservation of High Altitude Wetlands in Ladakh |access-date=2008-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921033942/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/wetlands_ladakh/index.cfm |archive-date=21 September 2008 |df=dmy-all }} Conservation of High Altitude Wetlands in Ladakh&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; &lt;br /&gt;
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* [[World Wildlife Fund]]-India leads conservation through its Korzok field office, conducting ecological surveys and awareness programs while developing sustainable tourism models and environmental management systems.&amp;lt;ref name=fresh/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite web |url=http://www.reachladakh.com/Non_Governmental_Organisations.htm |title=Non Governmental Organisations |work=Reach Ladakh Bulletin |access-date=27 October 2008 |archive-date=1 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101110245/http://reachladakh.com/Non_Governmental_Organisations.htm |url-status=dead }}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; &lt;br /&gt;
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* [[Wildlife Institute of India]] maintains a Leh research station supporting scientific studies.&amp;lt;ref name=fresh/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* Local communities have implemented habitat protection measures including traditional fencing and cleanup operations.&amp;lt;ref name=fresh/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* Tso Moriri Conservation Trust and 20 school nature clubs promote environmental education.&amp;lt;ref name=fresh/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* Indian Army has establish a Nature Interpretation Centre in Leh.&amp;lt;ref name=fresh/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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* Key achievements include the community&amp;#039;s 2000 declaration of Tso Moriri as a &amp;#039;Sacred Gift for a Living Planet&amp;#039; and restrictions on vehicular access through stakeholder consultation.&amp;lt;ref name=fresh/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Issues and threats==&lt;br /&gt;
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Threats to Tso Moriri&amp;#039;s ecosystem include increasing tourist numbers disrupting avifauna breeding, road construction along the shoreline, and pasture degradation impacting marmots, hares and ungulates. Additional pressures come from expanding sheep grazing in wetlands, inadequate garbage disposal, and unleashed dogs preying on cranes and their eggs. Unregulated jeep safaris harass wildlife like [[kiang]] and encroach on breeding grounds, compounded by insufficient government monitoring and enforcement.&amp;lt;ref name = tsomo/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name= wetlands/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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==See also==&lt;br /&gt;
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* [[Karzok]], major habitation on the northwest shore of Tso Moriri&lt;br /&gt;
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* [[Changthang]] Plateau lakes&lt;br /&gt;
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** [[More plains]] pool&lt;br /&gt;
*** [[Tso Kar]]&lt;br /&gt;
*** [[Startsapuk Tso]]&amp;lt;!--NOTE: Retain RED LINK to encourage article creation.--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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** [[Salt Valley]]&lt;br /&gt;
*** [[Kyago Tso]] (Kyagar Tso)&lt;br /&gt;
*** Tso Moriri&lt;br /&gt;
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** Other lakes in [[Changthang]] Plateau&lt;br /&gt;
*** [[Ryul Tso|Chilling Tso]]&lt;br /&gt;
*** [[Ryul Tso]]&lt;br /&gt;
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* [[Kailash Range]] lakes&lt;br /&gt;
** [[Pangong Tso]]&lt;br /&gt;
** [[Spanggur Tso]]&lt;br /&gt;
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* Ladakh&lt;br /&gt;
** [[Geography of Ladakh]]&lt;br /&gt;
** [[Tourism in Ladakh]]&lt;br /&gt;
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* General&lt;br /&gt;
** [[Soda lake]]&lt;br /&gt;
** [[Salt Valley]]&lt;br /&gt;
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==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{Reflist}}&lt;br /&gt;
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== External links ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{commons category}}&lt;br /&gt;
* [http://www.bcmtouring.com/travel-guides/ladakh-travel-guide/leh-tso-moriri-travel-guide.html Tso Moriri Travel Guide ]&lt;br /&gt;
* Government of Jammu &amp;amp; Kashmir, Department of Wildlife Protection, Wildlife Division (LAHDC), Leh Ladakh (Undated): Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve (The Wildlife Guide)&lt;br /&gt;
* Rizvi, J. (1996) Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, India&lt;br /&gt;
* [http://www.rangan-datta.info/Tso%20moriri.htm Travel Article on Tso Moriri]&lt;br /&gt;
{{Ladakh}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Ramsar sites in India}}&lt;br /&gt;
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{{Authority control}}&lt;br /&gt;
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[[Category:Lakes of Ladakh]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Ramsar sites in India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Protected areas of India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Tourism in Ladakh]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Theentrepreneur</name></author>
	</entry>
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