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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox body of water
{{Infobox body of water
| name                   = Pangong Tso
| name               = Pangong Tso
| image                 = Pangong Tso 2.jpg
| image             = ISS054-E-7809 - View of Earth (cropped).jpg
| caption               = A view of Pangong Tso
| caption           = A view of Pangong Tso from space
| alt                   = A view of Pangong Tso
| alt               = Pangong Tso from space
| image_bathymetry       =  
| image_bathymetry   =  
| caption_bathymetry     =  
| caption_bathymetry =  
| location               = [[Leh district]] ([[Ladakh]], India),<br/> [[Rutog County]] ([[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]], China)
| location           = [[Leh district]] ([[Ladakh]], India),<br/> [[Rutog County]] ([[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]], China)
| coords                 = {{coord|33|43|04.59|N|78|53|48.48|E|type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| coords             = {{coord|33|43|04.59|N|78|53|48.48|E|type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type                   = [[Soda lake]]<br/>[[dimictic lake]] (east basin)<ref>Wang, M., Hou, J. and Lei, Y., 2014. Classification of Tibetan lakes based on variations in seasonal lake water temperature. Chinese Science Bulletin, 59(34): 4847-4855.</ref><br/>cold monomictic lake (west basin){{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
| type               = [[Soda lake]]<br/>[[dimictic lake]] (east basin)<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Wang | first1 = M. | last2 = Hou | first2 = J. | last3 = Lei | first3 = Y. | year = 2014 | title = Classification of Tibetan lakes based on variations in seasonal lake water temperature | url = | journal = Chinese Science Bulletin | volume = 59 | issue = 34| pages = 4847–4855 | doi = 10.1007/s11434-014-0588-8 | bibcode = 2014ChSBu..59.4847W }}</ref><br/>cold monomictic lake (west basin){{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
| inflow                 =  
| inflow             =  
| outflow               =  
| outflow           =  
| catchment             =  
| catchment         =  
| basin_countries       = China, India
| basin_countries   = China, India
| length                 = {{convert|134|km|abbr=on}}
| length             = {{convert|134|km|abbr=on}}
| width                 = {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}}
| width             = {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}}
| area                   = approx. {{convert|700|km2|abbr=on}}
| area               = approx. {{convert|700|km2|abbr=on}}
| depth                 =  
| depth             =  
| max-depth             = 330 ft. (100 m)
| max-depth         = 330 ft. (100 m)
| volume                 =  
| volume             =  
| residence_time         =  
| residence_time     =  
| shore                 =  
| shore             =  
| elevation             = {{convert|4225|m}}{{sfnp|Dortch et al., Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso|2011|p=111}}
| elevation         = {{convert|4225|m}}{{sfnp|Dortch et al., Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso|2011|p=111}}
| islands               =  
| islands           =  
| cities                 =  
| cities             =  
| frozen                 = during winter
| frozen             = during winter
| pushpin_map           = Asia#India Ladakh#Tibet
| pushpin_map       = China Tibet Ngari#India Ladakh
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_alt       = Location of Pangong Lake
| pushpin_map_alt   = Location of Pangong Lake
| pushpin_map_caption   = Location of Pangong Lake
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Pangong Lake
}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
{{Infobox Chinese
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|t=班公錯
|t=班公錯
|p=Bāngōng cuò
|p=Bāngōng cuò
|w=Pan-kung ts'o
<!-- |s2=班公湖 -->
<!-- |t2=班公湖 -->
<!-- |p2=Bāngōng hú -->
<!-- |w2=Pan-kung hu -->
|tib = སྤང་གོང་མཚོ
|tib = སྤང་གོང་མཚོ
|wylie = spang gong mtsho
|wylie = spang gong mtsho
Line 48: Line 53:
|t=錯木昂拉仁波
|t=錯木昂拉仁波
|p=Cuòmù ánglā rénbō
|p=Cuòmù ánglā rénbō
|s2=哥木克哥那喇令错
<!-- |s2=哥木克哥那喇令错 -->
|t1=哥木剋哥那喇令錯
<!-- |t1=哥木剋哥那喇令錯 -->
|p2=Gēmù kègēnàlǎ lìngcuò
<!-- |p2=Gēmù kègēnàlǎ lìngcuò -->
|tib = མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ
|tib = མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ
|wylie = mtsho mo ngang lha ring po
|wylie = mtsho mo ngang lha ring po
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|zwpy = Como Nganglharingbo
|zwpy = Como Nganglharingbo
}}
}}
'''Pangong Tso''' or '''Pangong Lake''' ({{bo|t=སྤང་གོང་མཚོ}};<ref name="eki">
'''Pangong Tso''' or '''Pangong Lake''' ({{bo|t=སྤང་གོང་མཚོ}};<ref name="eki">{{Cite web |title=Ngari prefecture |publisher=Institute of the Estonian Language |date=2018-06-03 |access-date=9 January 2020 |url=https://www.eki.ee/knab/valik/cn54ng.htm |work=Geographical names of Tibet AR (China) |archive-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110214226/https://www.eki.ee/knab/valik/cn54ng.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> {{lang-zh|s=班公错|p=Bān gōng cuò}}; {{langx|hi|text=पैंगोंग झील|translit=Paiṅgoṅg jhīl|translit-std=iso}}) is an [[endorheic]] [[lake]] spanning eastern [[Ladakh]] and [[Ngari Prefecture|West Tibet]] situated at an elevation of {{convert|4225|m|abbr=on}}. It is {{convert|134|km|abbr=on}} long. Approximately 50% of the length of the overall lake lies within Tibet administered by China, 40% in Indian-administered Ladakh; the remaining 10% is disputed and is a <i>de facto</i> buffer zone between India and China. The lake is {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} wide at its broadest point. All together it covers almost 700&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being [[saline water]]. It has a land-locked basin separated from the [[Indus River]] basin by a small elevated ridge, but is believed to have been part of the Indus basin in prehistoric times.<ref>
{{Cite web |title=Ngari prefecture |url=https://www.eki.ee/knab/valik/cn54ng.htm |work=Geographical names of Tibet AR (China) |publisher=Institute of the Estonian Language |date=2018-06-03 |access-date=9 January 2020}}
{{cite news |title=River basins with Major and medium dams & barrages location map in India, WRIS |url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpapp.html?show=JI00410/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025619/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpapp.html?show=JI00410%2F |archive-date=4 March 2016 |type=Adobe Flash Player version 10.0.0 or greater}}
</ref> {{zh|s=班公错|p=Bān gōng cuò}}; {{lang-hi|text=पैंगोंग झील}}) is an [[endorheic]] [[lake]] spanning eastern [[Ladakh]] and [[Ngari Prefecture|West Tibet]] situated at an elevation of {{convert|4225|m|abbr=on}}. It is {{convert|134|km|abbr=on}} long and divided into five sublakes, called ''Pangong Tso'', ''Tso Nyak'', ''Rum Tso'' (twin lakes) and ''Nyak Tso''. Approximately 50% of the length of the overall lake lies within Tibet China, 40% in Ladakh India and the rest is disputed and is a de-facto buffer zone between India and China. The lake is {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} wide at its broadest point. All together it covers 604&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being [[saline water]]. It has a land-locked basin separated from the [[Indus River]] basin by a small elevated ridge, but is believed to have been part of the latter in prehistoric times.<ref>
{{cite web |title= River basins with Major and medium dams & barrages location map in India, WRIS |url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpapp.html?show=JI00410/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025619/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpapp.html?show=JI00410%2F |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |url-status= dead }}
</ref>
</ref>
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.


== Names ==
== Names ==
Historically, the lake is viewed as being made up five sublakes, which are connected through narrow water channels. The name ''Pangong Tso'' only applied to the westernmost lake that is mostly in Ladakh. The main lake on the Tibetan side is called '''Tso Nyak''' (the "middle lake"). It is followed by two small lakes called '''Rum Tso'''. The last lake near Rutog is called '''Nyak Tso''' again.<ref name="HedinDahlgren1907">{{cite book |author=Sven Anders Hedin |title=Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia 1899-1902: Central and West Tibet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4sM_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA521 |year=1907 |publisher=Lithographic institute of the General staff of the Swedish army |page=521 |quote=From Noh to Bal Rawling followed the same route that I did along the northern shore of the Tso-ngombo, which he calls the Tso Mo Gualari, dividing it into the sections: Tso Nyak, the twin lakes Rum Tso and Nyak Tso. He says that it consists of a string of five lakes 120 m. in length, the four most southern of which are fresh, and Pangong, the most northerly, salt. They are joined together by channels about 60 feet in width and 15 feet deep, the current running at nearly 1½ mile an hour.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=M. H. |last=Saward |title=Routes in Asia: Routes in the territories of the Maharaja of Jummoo and Kashmir, and adjacent countries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chlg4U-SaQ4C&pg=PA31 |year=1878 |publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing |pages=31–33 |quote=Only the lower lake (the Pangong Tso proper) lies in Ladak, the middle (Tso Nyak) and upper lakes being in Rudok territory. ... The waters of the western end are much more salt than those of the eastern end near Ot. in the stream connecting the Pangong Tso with Nyak Tso the water becomes drinkable, and rich grass is found on the banks.}}</ref> The whole lake group was and is still often referred to as '''Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo''' ({{bo|t=མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ}}<ref name="eki"/>) in Tibetan.
Historically, the lake is viewed as being made up five sublakes, which are connected through narrow water channels. The name ''Pangong Tso'' only applied to the westernmost lake that is mostly in Ladakh. The main lake on the Tibetan side is called '''Tso Nyak''' (the "middle lake"). It is followed by two small lakes called '''Rum Tso'''. The last lake near Rutog is called '''Nyak Tso''' again.<ref name="HedinDahlgren1907">
{{cite book |first=Sven Anders |last=Hedin |title=Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia 1899-1902: Central and West Tibet |year=1907 |publisher=Lithographic institute of the General staff of the Swedish army |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4sM_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA521 |page=521 |quote=From Noh to Bal Rawling followed the same route that I did along the northern shore of the Tso-ngombo, which he calls the Tso Mo Gualari, dividing it into the sections: Tso Nyak, the twin lakes Rum Tso and Nyak Tso. He says that it consists of a string of five lakes 120 m. in length, the four most southern of which are fresh, and Pangong, the most northerly, salt. They are joined together by channels about 60 feet in width and 15 feet deep, the current running at nearly 1½ mile an hour.}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite book |first=M. H. |last=Saward |title=Routes in Asia: Routes in the territories of the Maharaja of Jummoo and Kashmir, and adjacent countries |year=1878 |publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing |pages=31–33 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chlg4U-SaQ4C&pg=PA31 |quote=Only the lower lake (the Pangong Tso proper) lies in Ladak, the middle (Tso Nyak) and upper lakes being in Rudok territory. ... The waters of the western end are much more salt than those of the eastern end near Ot. in the stream connecting the Pangong Tso with Nyak Tso the water becomes drinkable, and rich grass is found on the banks.}}
</ref> The whole lake group was and is still often referred to as '''Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo''' ({{bo|t=མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ}}<ref name="eki"/>) in Tibetan.


There are different interpretations on the meanings of both ''Pangong Tso'' and ''Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo''. The Ladakh government website indicates "Pangong Tso" is Tibetan meaning "high grassland lake",<ref>
There are different interpretations of the meanings of both ''Pangong Tso'' and ''Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo''. The Ladakh government website says "Pangong Tso" is Tibetan, meaning "high grassland lake",<ref>
{{Cite web |title=Pangong Lake |publisher=Union Territory of Ladakh |date=2019-10-29 |access-date=9 January 2020 |url=https://ladakh.nic.in/places-centres/pangong-lake/ |quote=Pangong Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Leh Ladakh, derives its name from the Tibetan word, "Pangong Tso", which means "high grassland lake".  
{{Cite web |title=Pangong Lake |publisher=Union Territory of Ladakh |date=2019-10-29 |access-date=9 January 2020 |url=https://ladakh.nic.in/places-centres/pangong-lake/ |quote=Pangong Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Leh Ladakh, derives its name from the Tibetan word, "Pangong Tso", which means "high grassland lake".}}
}}
</ref> however [[Travel literature|travel books]] say Pangong means "hollow".<ref name="CoxallGreenway1996">
</ref> however [[Travel literature|travel books]] from decades back say Pangong means "hollow".<ref name="CoxallGreenway1996">
{{cite book |author1=Michelle Coxall |author2=Paul Greenway |title=Indian Himalaya: a Lonely Planet travel survival kit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NxMwAQAAIAAJ |date=1 September 1996 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-0-86442-413-6 |quote= The salty Pangong Tso - Pangong means 'hollow' - is the highest lake in Ladakh at about 4300m, and is flanked by massive peaks over 6500m high.}}
{{cite book |author1=Michelle Coxall |author2=Paul Greenway |title=Indian Himalaya: a Lonely Planet travel survival kit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NxMwAQAAIAAJ |date=1 September 1996 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-0-86442-413-6 |quote= The salty Pangong Tso - Pangong means 'hollow' - is the highest lake in Ladakh at about 4300m, and is flanked by massive peaks over 6500m high.}}
</ref><ref name="Rindani2016">
</ref><ref name="Rindani2016">
{{cite book |author=Kirit Rindani |title=Indian Himalaya: Story of a 100 Visits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHZ5CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT80 |date=7 January 2016 |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |isbn=978-1-4828-5886-0 |page=80 |quote=The word Pangong means 'extensive concavity' which probably explains its size.}}
{{cite book |author=Kirit Rindani |title=Indian Himalaya: Story of a 100 Visits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHZ5CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT80 |date=7 January 2016 |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |isbn=978-1-4828-5886-0 |page=80 |quote=The word Pangong means 'extensive concavity' which probably explains its size.}}
</ref> ''Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo'' is Tibetan that is interpreted to mean various different but similar meanings -- "long, narrow, enchanted lake" by Chinese media sources,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pangong Tso Lake in Tibet |work=China Daily |date=2012-07-17 |access-date=9 January 2020 |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/travel/2012-07/17/content_15589533.htm |quote=Pangong Tso Lake is a trans-border lake extending from the Ali prefecture of China's Tibet autonomous region to India. About 155 kilometers in length, the geographic features of the lake are indicated in the name which in Tibetan means "long, narrow, enchanted lake".}}
</ref> ''Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo'' is Tibetan that is interpreted to mean various different but similar meanings -- "long, narrow, enchanted lake" by Chinese media sources,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pangong Tso Lake in Tibet |work=China Daily |date=2012-07-17 |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/travel/2012-07/17/content_15589533.htm |quote=Pangong Tso Lake is a trans-border lake extending from the Ali prefecture of China's Tibet autonomous region to India. About 155 kilometers in length, the geographic features of the lake are indicated in the name which in Tibetan means "long, narrow, enchanted lake". |access-date=9 January 2020 |archive-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124202959/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/travel/2012-07/17/content_15589533.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> "female narrow very long lake" by early European explorers,<ref name="Trotter1877">{{cite journal |last1=Trotter |first1=H. |title=Account of the Pundit's Journey in Great Tibet from Leh in Ladakh to Lhasa, and of His Return to India Via Assam |journal=Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London |volume=47 |year=1877 |pages=86–136 |issn=0266-6235 |doi=10.2307/1798740 |jstor=1798740 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1449388 |quote=the Pangong, but better known to the Tibetans as the Chomo Gna Laring Cho, which, being literally interpreted, means "Female narrow very long lake." |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104064616/https://zenodo.org/record/1449388 |url-status=live }}</ref> and "long-necked swan lake" by other modern sources.<ref>
</ref> "female narrow very long lake" by early European explorers,<ref name="Trotter1877">
{{cite news |title=Pangong Tso Lake in the Northern Tibet |publisher=Kangba TV |date=2017-03-06 |url=http://en.kangbatv.com/ly/jdjs/201703/t20170306_3312250.html |quote=Pangong Tso Lake, at an altitude of 4,200 meters, is also called Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo Lake, which means "a swan with a long neck" in Tibetan. }}
{{cite journal |last1=Trotter |first1=H. |title=Account of the Pundit's Journey in Great Tibet from Leh in Ladakh to Lhasa, and of His Return to India Via Assam |journal=Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London |volume=47 |year=1877 |pages=86 |issn=0266-6235 |doi=10.2307/1798740 |jstor=1798740 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1449388 |quote=the Pangong, but better known to the Tibetans as the Chomo Gna Laring Cho, which, being literally interpreted, means "Female narrow very long lake."}}
</ref> and "long-necked swan lake" by other modern sources.<ref>
{{Cite web |title=Pangong Tso Lake in the Northern Tibet |publisher=Kangba TV |date=2017-03-06 |url=http://en.kangbatv.com/ly/jdjs/201703/t20170306_3312250.html |quote=Pangong Tso Lake, at an altitude of 4,200 meters, is also called Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo Lake, which means "a swan with a long neck" in Tibetan. }}
</ref><ref name="tibet_vista">
{{Cite web |title=Pangong Lake |publisher=Tibet Vista (Tibettravel.org)
|access-date=9 January 2020 |url=https://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-guide/pangong-tso.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428050311/http://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-travel-guide/pangong-tso.html |archive-date=2015-04-28 |quote=In the Tibetan language, this lake is called "Cuomu Angla Renbo Tso", which means "Long-Necked Crane Lake".}}
</ref> The lake has also been referred to as '''Pan-kung Hu'''.
 
== Flora and fauna ==
The eastern part of the lake is fresh, with the content of [[total dissolved solids]] at 0.68 g/L, while the western part of the lake is saline, with the salinity at 11.02 g/L.<ref>{{cite web |title=班公错 |url=http://www.tibetol.cn/html/2013/hp_0415/487.html |language=zh}}</ref> The [[brackish water]]<ref name="Pant" /> of the lake has very low micro-vegetation. Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life on the Indian side of the lake, except for some small [[crustacean]]s. On the other hand, visitors see numerous ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake.
 
The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the [[Bar-headed goose]] and [[Brahmini ducks]] are commonly seen here.<ref>{{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 |volume=21| issue = 3 |pages=6–15 }}</ref> The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the [[kiang]] and the [[marmot]]. The lake hosts large quantities of fish, especially ''[[False osman|Schizopygopsis stoliczkai]]''<ref>
{{cite web |title=Schizopygopsis stoliczkae |url=http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6256 |website=China Animal Scientific Database |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004532/http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6256 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}
</ref> and ''[[Kunar snowtrout|Racoma labiata]]''.<ref>
{{cite web |title=Racoma labiata |url=http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6226 |website=China Animal Scientific Database |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015534/http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6226 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}
</ref> Freshwater snails of the genus ''[[Radix (gastropod)|Radix]]'' also live in the lake.<ref name="Oheimb 2011"> Oheimb, Parm Viktor von; Albrecht, Christian; Riedel, Frank; Du, Lina; Yang, Junxing; Aldridge, David C.; Bößneck, Ulrich; Zhang, Hucai; Wilke, Thomas (2011). "Freshwater Biogeography and Limnological Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau - Insights from a Plateau-Wide Distributed Gastropod Taxon (''Radix'' spp.)". ''[[PLOS One]]'' '''6'''(10): e26307. {{PMID| 22028853}}, {{doi|10.1371/journal.pone.0026307}}.</ref>
 
Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to [[Shyok River]], a tributary of the [[Indus River]], but it was closed off due to natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges.<ref name="Gujja">
{{cite journal |author1=Biksham Gujja |author2=Archana Chatterjee |author3=Parikshit Gautam |author4=Pankaj Chandan |name-list-style=amp |date=August 2003 |title=Wetlands and Lakes at the Top of the World |journal=Mountain Research and Development |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=219–221 |publisher=[[International Mountain Society]] |location=Bern, Switzerland |issn=1994-7151 |doi=10.1659/0276-4741(2003)023[0219:WALATT]2.0.CO;2}}
</ref> Strand lines above current lake level reveal a {{Convert|5|m|abbr=on}} thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently in geological scale.<ref name="Pant">
{{cite journal |author1=R. K. Pant |author2=N. R. Phadtare |author3=L. S. Chamyal |author4=Navin Juyal |date=10 June 2005 |title=Quaternary deposits in Ladakh and Karakoram Himalaya: A treasure trove of the palaeoclimate records |url=https://www.academia.edu/26184431 |access-date=29 January 2019 |journal=Current Science| volume=88 |issue=11}}
</ref>
</ref>
On the Indian side, no fish have been observed, however in the stream coming from South-eastern side (Cheshul nalla), three fish species (''Schizopygopsis stoliczkae'', ''[[Tibetan stone loach]]'' and ''[[Triplophysa gracilis]]'') have been reported (Bhat et al., 2011). The low biodiversity has been reported as being due to high salinity and harsh environmental conditions (Bhat et al., 2011).


Bird Islet is the most famous island in Pangong Tso.<ref name="birdislet">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/ |title=Dreams of Snow Land |via=[[Internet Archive]] |date=2005 |isbn=7-119-03883-4 |publisher=[[Foreign Languages Press]] |location=Beijing |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/page/273 273]-[https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/page/275 275]}}</ref>
== Geography ==
{{anchor | Geo | Range }}


==Climate==
{{see also | Tangtse#Geography | l1= Geography of Tangtse | Spanggur_Tso#Geography | l2= Geography of Spanggur Tso | Rezang_La | l3= Geography of Rezang La | Chushul#Geography | l4= Geography of Chushul  | Geography of Ladakh | Geography of Tibet }}
{{Weather box |width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Pangong Tso
|Jan high C = -5.9
|Feb high C = -3.7
|Mar high C = 0.9
|Apr high C = 6.9
|May high C = 11.6
|Jun high C = 17.4
|Jul high C = 20.5
|Aug high C = 19.7
|Sep high C = 15.5
|Oct high C = 7.9
|Nov high C = 1.5
|Dec high C = -3.3
|Jan mean C = -13.3
|Feb mean C = -10.8
|Mar mean C = -6.0
|Apr mean C = -0.5
|May mean C = 3.8
|Jun mean C = 9.5
|Jul mean C = 13.1
|Aug mean C = 12.7
|Sep mean C = 7.8
|Oct mean C = -0.3
|Nov mean C = -6.8
|Dec mean C = -11.3
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = -20.6
|Feb low C = -17.9
|Mar low C = -12.8
|Apr low C = -7.8
|May low C = -3.9
|Jun low C = 1.6
|Jul low C = 5.8
|Aug low C = 5.7
|Sep low C = 0.2
|Oct low C = -8.5
|Nov low C = -15.1
|Dec low C = -19.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 4
|Feb precipitation mm = 2
|Mar precipitation mm = 3
|Apr precipitation mm = 3
|May precipitation mm = 4
|Jun precipitation mm = 2
|Jul precipitation mm = 11
|Aug precipitation mm = 15
|Sep precipitation mm = 4
|Oct precipitation mm = 2
|Nov precipitation mm = 2
|Dec precipitation mm = 3
|source 1 = [https://en.climate-data.org/location/968275/ Climate-Data.org]
}}


==Access==
Pangong Tso is surrounded by three mountain ranges: [[Changchenmo Range]] to the north, [[Pangong Range]] to the west, and [[Gangdise Shan|Kailash Range]] (Gangdise Shan range) to the south.<ref name="chapk1" /><ref name="chapk3">[https://theprint.in/opinion/if-india-loses-grip-on-kailash-range-pla-will-make-sure-we-never-get-it-back/542327/?amp If India loses grip on Kailash Range, PLA will make sure we never get it back], The Print, 12 November 2020.</ref><ref name="chapk2">[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece/ India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong Tso lake], The Hindu, 3 July 2023.</ref> According to the [[Britannica]], the Changchenmo Range and Pangong Range are sometimes considered easternmost part of the [[Karakoram Range]].<ref name="chapk1">[https://www.britannica.com/place/Pangong-Range Karakoram: Pangong Range], Britannica, accessed 13 October 2023.</ref> ''Kailash Range'', runs along southern bank of the Pangong Tso, from centre of Pangong Tso at [[Lukung]] to the west to [[Phursook Bay]] and [[Mount Kailash]].<ref name=chapk3/>
[[File:Frozen, Pangong Tso.jpg|thumb|Frozen, Pangong Tso]]
<!-- [[File:Txu-oclc-6654394-ni-44-3rd-ed.jpg|thumb|right|Map including Pangong Tso ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1950)]]
[[File:Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 44-9 Pangong Tso.jpg|thumb|right|Map including Pangong Tso ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1954){{efn|name=delin|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}]]
[[File:Ni-44-9-chushul-china-india.pdf|thumb|right|Map including Pangong Tso / Bangong Co ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1992))]] -->


An [[Inner Line Permit]] is required to visit the lake as it lies on the Sino-Indian [[Line of Actual Control]]. While Indian nationals can obtain individual permits, others must have group permits (with a minimum of three persons) accompanied by an accredited guide; the tourist office in Leh issues the permits for a small fee. For security reasons, India does not permit boating.
== Sino-Indian border dispute ==
{{main|Sino-Indian border dispute}}


[[China National Highway 219]] passes by the eastern end of Pangong Tso. The lake can be accessed by driving 12&nbsp;km from [[Rutog Town|Rutog]] or 130&nbsp;km from [[Shiquanhe]]. Tourists can rent a boat on the lake, but landing on islands is not allowed for protecting the breeding ground of the birds. There are several restaurants along the shore.<ref>
{{cite news |last1=黄慧英 |title=一措再措 邂逅高原湖泊的绝美 |url=http://www.tibet.cn/cn/travel/201807/t20180704_6029034.html |access-date=22 September 2018 |publisher=tibet.cn |date=4 August 2018 |language=zh}}
</ref>
{{multiple image
|align = left
|width = 225
|image1 = Ladakh-Garhwal-1863.jpg
|alt1 =
|caption1 = Edward Weller map of Ladakh and Garhwal, 1863
|image2 = Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 44-9 Pangong Tso.jpg
|alt2 =
|caption2 = Map including Pangong Tso ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1954){{efn|name=delin|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}
|image3 = Ni-44-9-chushul-china-india.pdf
|alt3 =
|caption3 = Map including Pangong Tso / Bangong Co ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1992)
}}
{{clear}}
==Sino-Indian border dispute==
{{main|Sino-Indian border dispute}}
{{OSM Location map
{{OSM Location map
| coord = {{coord|33.72|78.763}}  <!-- Map center -->
| coord = {{coord|33.7267|78.8394}}  <!-- Map center -->
| float = right
| float = right
| zoom = 12
| zoom = 10
| width = 420
| width = 400
| height = 300
| height = 240
| caption = <center>Contested LAC near the Pangong Lake<ref name="Pangong border">
| caption = {{center|Contested LAC near the Pangong Lake<ref name="Pangong border">{{citation |editor=India, Ministry of External Affairs |title=Report of the Officials of the Governments of India and the People's Republic of China on the Boundary Question |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AP4ruQEACAAJ |year=1962 |publisher=Government of India Press }}, {{cite report |url=http://www.archieve.claudearpi.net/maintenance/uploaded_pics/ORC_01-32_Part1.pdf |title=Chinese Report, Part 1 |pages=4–5 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013164954/http://www.archieve.claudearpi.net/maintenance/uploaded_pics/ORC_01-32_Part1.pdf |url-status=live }}<br/>
{{citation |editor=India, Ministry of External Affairs |title=Report of the Officials of the Governments of India and the People's Republic of China on the Boundary Question |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AP4ruQEACAAJ |year=1962 |publisher=Government of India Press}}, {{cite report |url=http://www.archieve.claudearpi.net/maintenance/uploaded_pics/ORC_01-32_Part1.pdf |title=Chinese Report, Part 1 |pages=4–5}}<br/>
The location and terrain features of this traditional customary boundary line are now described as follows in three sectors, western, middle and eastern. ... From Ane Pass southwards, the boundary line runs along the mountain ridge and passes through peak 6,127 (approximately 78° 46' E, 38° 50' N) [''sic''] and then southwards to the northern bank of the Pangong Lake' (approximately '''78° 49' E, 33° 44' N'''). It crosses this lake and reaches its southern bank at approximately '''78° 43' E, 33° 40' N'''. Then it goes in a south-easterly direction along the watershed dividing the Tongada River and the streams flowing into the Spanggur Lake until it reaches Mount Sajum.</ref>{{efn|The LAC displayed is that marked by the OpenStreetMap editors, said to reflect the Chinese maps.}}<br/>with "fingers" – mountain spurs jutting into the lake<ref name="Panag fingers">{{cite news |author=Lt Gen [[Harcharanjit Singh Panag|HS Panag]] (Retd) |date=4 June 2020 |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-fingers-have-come-under-chinese-boots-denial-wont-help-us/435145/ |title=India's Fingers have come under Chinese boots. Denial won't help us |work=The Print |access-date=16 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604122153/https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-fingers-have-come-under-chinese-boots-denial-wont-help-us/435145/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
The location and terrain features of this traditional customary boundary line are now described as follows in three sectors, western, middle and eastern. ... From Ane Pass southwards, the boundary line runs along the mountain ridge and passes through peak 6,127 (approximately 78° 46' E, 38° 50' N) [''sic''] and then southwards to the northern bank of the Pangong Lake' (approximately '''78° 49' E, 33° 44' N'''). It crosses this lake and reaches its southern bank at approximately '''78° 43' E, 33° 40' N'''. Then it goes in a south-easterly direction along the watershed dividing the Tongada River and the streams flowing into the Spanggur Lake until it reaches Mount Sajum.
</ref>{{efn|The LAC displayed is that marked by the OpenStreetMap editors, said to reflect the Chinese maps.}}<br/>with "fingers" – mountain spurs jutting into the lake<ref name="Panag fingers">{{cite web |author=Lt Gen [[Harcharanjit Singh Panag|HS Panag]] (Retd) |date=4 June 2020 |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-fingers-have-come-under-chinese-boots-denial-wont-help-us/435145/ |title=India's Fingers have come under Chinese boots. Denial won't help us |work=The Print}}</ref></center>
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<!-- Indian border post -->
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| mark-title10 = [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police|ITBP]] post
| mark-title10 = [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police|ITBP]] post
| mark-description10 = Major [[Dhan Singh Thapa]] post
| mark-description10 = Major [[Dhan Singh Thapa]] post
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<!-- Chinese border point -->
<!-- Chinese border point -->
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| label9 = Traditional customary |labela9 = boundary of China |labelb9 = declared 1960
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<!-- Chinese border point near Ane La-->
<!-- Chinese border point near Ane La-->
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| label25 = Traditional customary |labela25 = boundary of China |labelb25 = declared 1960
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| mark-description25 = Declared in the ''Report of the Governments of India and the People's Republic of China on the Boundary Question'', 1960
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Pangong Tso is in disputed territory. The [[Line of Actual Control]] passes through the lake. A section of the lake approximately 20&nbsp;km east from the Line of Actual Control is controlled by China but claimed by India. The eastern end of the lake is in [[Tibet]]. After the mid-19th century, Pangong Tso was at the southern end of [[Origins of the Sino-Indian border dispute#The Johnson Line|Johnson Line]], an early attempt at demarcation between India and China in the [[Aksai Chin]] region.
Pangong Tso is disputed territory. The [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC) passes through the lake. A section of the lake approximately 20&nbsp;km east from the LAC is controlled by China but claimed by India. To the south is the smaller [[Spanggur Tso]] lake. The eastern end of the lake is in [[Tibet]]. After the mid-19th century, Pangong Tso was at the southern end of [[Origins of the Sino-Indian border dispute#The Johnson Line|Johnson Line]], an early attempt at demarcation between India and China in the [[Aksai Chin]] region.
 
The [[Khurnak Fort]] lies on the northern bank of the lake, halfway of Pangong Tso.<ref name="Negi">
{{cite book |title= Himalayan Rivers, Lakes and Glaciers |last= Negi |first= S.S. |date=1 April 2002 |publisher= Indus Publishing Company |location= India |isbn= 978-8185182612|page= 152 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5YtUShKY8zcC&pg=PA152 |access-date=2009-09-12}}
</ref> The Chinese has controlled the Khurnak Fort area since 1952.<ref name="Guruswamy">
{{cite book |title= Emerging Trends in India-China Relations |last= Guruswamy |first= Mohan |date=January 2006 |publisher= Hope India Publications |location= India |isbn= 9788178711010 |page= 223 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=trAb0KxP_ocC&pg=PA223 |access-date=2009-09-12}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web |url=http://cpasindia.org/articles/mg-05-11-21-sino-india-relations.html |title=No longer a Great Game |author=Mohan Guruswamy |publisher=Centre for Policy Alternatives, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016155722/http://cpasindia.org/articles/mg-05-11-21-sino-india-relations.html |archive-date=16 October 2007}}
</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019|reason=See [[Talk:Sino-Indian War#Sources]]}} To the south is the smaller [[Spanggur Tso]] lake.


On 20 October 1962, Pangong Tso saw military action during the [[Sino-Indian War]], successful for the Communist [[People's Liberation Army]].<ref name="Burkitt">
[[Khurnak Fort]] lies on the northern bank of the lake, about halfway up Pangong Tso. The dispute over the fort was discussed in a 1924 conference, which remained inconclusive. After the conference, the British government decided that Tibetans had a better case and not only Khurnak Fort but also Dokpo Karpo and Nyagzu were part of Tibet. In 1929, following the protests of Kashmir Durbar, they decided to drop the British claims made in behalf of Kashmir state.<ref name="t002">{{cite book | last=Lamb | first=A. | title=Tibet, China & India 1914-1950: A History of Imperial Diplomacy | publisher=Roxford Books | year=1989 | isbn=978-0-907129-03-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nm5wAAAAMAAJ | access-date=2024-08-01 | page=359}}</ref> The Chinese established their military presence in the Khurnak Fort by 1958.<ref>
{{Cite book |last1=Burkitt |first1=Laurie |last2=Scobell |first2=Andrew |last3=Wortzel |first3=Larry M. |title=The Lessons of History: The Chinese People's Liberation Army at 75 |publisher=[[Strategic Studies Institute]] |pages=340–341 |date=July 2003 |isbn=1-58487-126-1 |url=http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB52.pdf}}
{{Cite book |last=Sali |first=M. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6y2E9gw5oIC |title=India-China Border Dispute: A Case Study of the Eastern Sector |date=1998 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7024-964-1 |page=82}}
</ref>
</ref>


Pangong Tso is still a delicate border point along the Line of Actual Control.<ref name="Pubby">
On 20 October 1962, Pangong Tso saw military action during the [[Sino-Indian War]], successful for the Chinese [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA).<ref name="Burkitt">{{Cite book |last1=Burkitt |first1=Laurie |last2=Scobell |first2=Andrew |last3=Wortzel |first3=Larry M. |title=The Lessons of History: The Chinese People's Liberation Army at 75 |publisher=[[Strategic Studies Institute]] |pages=340–341 |date=July 2003 |isbn=1-58487-126-1 |url=http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB52.pdf |access-date=26 June 2009 |archive-date=5 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072610/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB52.pdf }}</ref> The area remains a sensitive border point along the LAC.<ref name="Pubby">{{cite news |author=Pubby |first=Manu |date=7 October 2008 |title=Pangong Lake is border flashpoint between India and China |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pangong-lake-is-border-flashpoint-between-india-and-china/370135/0 |access-date=23 June 2009 |archive-date=6 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706174711/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pangong-lake-is-border-flashpoint-between-india-and-china/370135/0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Shahin">
{{cite news |author=Manu Pubby |title= Pangong Lake is border flashpoint between India and China |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pangong-lake-is-border-flashpoint-between-india-and-china/370135/0 |access-date=2009-06-24}}
{{cite news |author=Shahin |first=Sultan |date=1 August 2003 |title=Vajpayee claps with one hand on border dispute |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EH01Df02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801213428/http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EH01Df02.html |archive-date=2003-08-01 |publisher=Asia Times}}
</ref><ref name="Shahin">
{{cite web |author=Sultan Shahin |title=Vajpayee claps with one hand on border dispute |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EH01Df02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801213428/http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EH01Df02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=2003-08-01 |access-date=2009-06-24}}
</ref> Incursions from the Chinese side are common.<ref name="Holslag">
</ref> Incursions from the Chinese side are common.<ref name="Holslag">
{{cite journal |journal=BICCS Background Papers |author=Jonathan Holslag |title=China, India and the Military Security Dilemma, Vol 3(5) |publisher=Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS) |year=2008 |url=http://www.vub.ac.be/biccs/documents/APaper_BICCS_2008_China%20India%20Security%20Dilemma.pdf |access-date=2009-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606004107/http://www.vub.ac.be/biccs/documents/APaper_BICCS_2008_China%20India%20Security%20Dilemma.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2011}}
{{cite journal |author=Holslag |first=Jonathan |year=2008 |title=China, India and the Military Security Dilemma, Vol 3(5) |url=http://www.vub.ac.be/biccs/documents/APaper_BICCS_2008_China%20India%20Security%20Dilemma.pdf |journal=BICCS Background Papers |publisher=Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606004107/http://www.vub.ac.be/biccs/documents/APaper_BICCS_2008_China%20India%20Security%20Dilemma.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2011 |access-date=2009-06-24}}
</ref>
</ref>


In August 2017, Indian and Chinese forces near Pangong Tso threw rocks at each other.<ref>
In August 2017, Indian and Chinese forces near Pangong Tso engaged in a [[melee]] involving kicking, punching, rock throwing, and use of makeshift weapons such as sticks and rods.<ref name="hket"/><ref>{{cite news |author=Sushant Singh |title=India-China conflict in Ladakh: The importance of the Pangong Tso lake |date=20 May 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-conflict-in-ladakh-the-importance-of-the-pangong-tso-lake-6419377/ |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212020229/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-conflict-in-ladakh-the-importance-of-the-pangong-tso-lake-6419377/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{cite web |trans-title=Another 150 soldiers in the Sino-Indian border conflict caused 12 injuries in a fight |script-title=zh:中共與印度邊境衝突!150士兵互毆10多人掛彩 |language=zh-hant |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=16 May 2020 |website=[[New Tang Dynasty Television]] |url=https://www.ntdtv.com.tw/b5/20200511/video/270351.html?中共與印度邊境衝突!150士兵互毆10多人掛彩}}
On 11 September 2019, PLA troops confronted Indian troops on the northern bank.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian, Chinese Troops Face-off in Ladakh Ahead of Modi-Xi Summit, Army Says Tension De-escalated |date=12 September 2019 |work=CNN-News18 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-ladakh-month-ahead-of-modi-xi-jinping-summit-2305615.html |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107231903/https://www.news18.com/news/india/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-ladakh-month-ahead-of-modi-xi-jinping-summit-2305615.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2054821 |trans-title=China's military exercises in Tibet frequently affect China and India's future crisis response |script-title=zh:中國在西藏地區軍演頻繁 牽動中印未來危機應對 |date=10 March 2020 |language=zh-tw |editor=Chang Ya-Han {{lang |zh-tw |張雅涵}} |work=[[Radio Taiwan International]] |access-date=16 May 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311153414/https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2054821 |url-status=live }}</ref>
</ref><ref name="hket"/><ref>
On 5–6 May 2020, a face-off between about 250 Indian and Chinese troops near the lake resulted in casualties on both sides.<ref>{{cite news |author=Dinakar Peri |date=10 May 2020 |title=Indian, Chinese troops face off in Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/article31548893.ece |url-access=limited |access-date=13 May 2020 |archive-date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512053057/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/article31548893.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hket">
{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-conflict-in-ladakh-the-importance-of-the-pangong-tso-lake-6419377/ |title=India-China conflict in Ladakh: The importance of the Pangong Tso lake |date=20 May 2020 |access-date=21 May 2020 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |author=Sushant Singh}}
{{cite web |script-title=zh:中印邊境再爆衝突 150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 |trans-title=Another 150 soldiers in the Sino-Indian border conflict caused 12 injuries in a fight |work=[[Hong Kong Economic Times]]  |date=11 May 2020 |author={{lang |zh-hant |費風}} |language=zh-hant  |url=https://china.hket.com/article/2639292/中印邊境再爆衝突%20%20150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 |quote={{lang |zh-hant |消息指,第一起事件發生於5月5日至6日,在中印邊境的班公錯湖(Pangong Tso )地區,當時解放軍的「侵略性巡邏」(aggressive patrolling)被印度軍方阻攔。「結果發生了混亂,雙方都有一些士兵受傷。」{...}2017年8月,兩國軍隊曾於拉達克地區班公湖附近爆發衝突,當時雙方擲石攻擊對方,雙方均有人受傷,最終兩軍在半小時後退回各自據點。}}}}
</ref>
</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese military bolsters troops in Aksai Chin region in Sino-India border: Report |date=19 May 2020 |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/chinese-military-bolsters-troops-in-aksai-chin-region-in-sino-india-border-report/articleshow/75810930.cms |quote=On May 5, around 250 Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed in Pangong Tso lake area in Eastern Ladakh. |access-date=20 May 2020 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519125336/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/chinese-military-bolsters-troops-in-aksai-chin-region-in-sino-india-border-report/articleshow/75810930.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Khalid |first=Saif |date=28 May 2020 |title='All-out combat' feared as India, China engage in border standoff |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/28/all-out-combat-feared-as-india-china-engage-in-border-standoff |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205102530/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/28/all-out-combat-feared-as-india-china-engage-in-border-standoff |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
On 29–30 August 2020, Indian troops occupied many heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso. The heights included [[Rezang La]], Reqin La, Black Top, Hanan, Helmet, [[Gurung Hill]], Gorkha Hill and Magar Hill.<ref name="Print 30 heights">{{cite news |last1=Dutta |first1=Amrita Nayak |title=Army now holding 30 dominating heights, earlier unoccupied, on southern bank of Pangong Tso |work=ThePrint |date=3 September 2020 |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-now-holding-30-dominating-heights-earlier-unoccupied-on-southern-bank-of-pangong-tso/495077/ |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102084611/https://theprint.in/defence/army-now-holding-30-dominating-heights-earlier-unoccupied-on-southern-bank-of-pangong-tso/495077/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of these heights are in the grey zone of the LAC and overlook Chinese camps.<ref name="Week heights">{{cite news |last=Sagar |first=Pradip R |date=2 September 2020 |title=India controls dominating heights in Chushul sector |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/09/02/india-now-controls-dominating-heights-in-chushul-sector.html |work=The Week |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212042416/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/09/02/india-now-controls-dominating-heights-in-chushul-sector.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
India chose to pull back from these positions as leverage for larger disengagement.<ref name="News18 turning point">{{cite news |last=Dhoundial |first=Shreya |date=2021-02-17 |title=India's Move to Occupy Kailash Range Became Turning Point in Disengagement Talks: Lt Gen YK Joshi |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/indias-move-to-occupy-kailash-range-became-turning-point-in-disengagement-talks-lt-gen-yk-joshi-3445079.html |work=News18 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217162456/https://www.news18.com/news/india/indias-move-to-occupy-kailash-range-became-turning-point-in-disengagement-talks-lt-gen-yk-joshi-3445079.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Both the Chinese and Indian militaries have vessels stationed on the lake.<ref name="Forbes fleets">{{cite news |last=Hooper |first=Craig |date=5 July 2020 |title=On Pangong Lake, Chinese And Indian Fleets Square Off At 14,000 Feet |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2020/07/05/at-pangong-tso-chinese-and-indian-fleets-square-off-at-14000-feet/ |work=Forbes |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213135849/https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2020/07/05/at-pangong-tso-chinese-and-indian-fleets-square-off-at-14000-feet/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TOI boats">{{cite news |last=P |first=Rajat |date=13 June 2021 |title=Army gets special boats for Pangong Tso |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-begins-inducting-new-specialized-boats-for-pangong-tso/articleshow/83467836.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213135849/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-begins-inducting-new-specialized-boats-for-pangong-tso/articleshow/83467836.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NIE firepower mobility">{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=18 August 2021 |title=China raises firepower & mobility near Pangong Tso |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/aug/18/china-raises-firepower-mobility-near-pangong-tso-2346276.html |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214235014/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/aug/18/china-raises-firepower-mobility-near-pangong-tso-2346276.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Since 2022, China built a bridge across the lake near the Khurnak Fort.<ref name="NDTV bridge">{{cite news |last=Som |first=Vishnu |author-link=Vishnu Som |title=Chinese Bridge Over Pangong Lake In Illegally Held Territory: Government |work=NDTV |date=7 January 2022 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-bridge-pangong-lake-chinese-bridge-over-pangong-lake-in-illegally-held-territory-government-2692890 |access-date=8 January 2022 |archive-date=8 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108111351/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-bridge-pangong-lake-chinese-bridge-over-pangong-lake-in-illegally-held-territory-government-2692890 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HT bridge">{{cite news |last=Laskar |first=Rezaul H |title=India says China's bridge on Pangong Lake located in areas under 'illegal occupation' |work=Hindustan Times |date=2022-02-04 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-says-china-s-bridge-on-pangong-lake-located-in-areas-under-illegal-occupation-101643995642536.html |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207142500/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-says-china-s-bridge-on-pangong-lake-located-in-areas-under-illegal-occupation-101643995642536.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The construction of the 400-meter bridge was completed in July 2024.<ref name="u509">{{cite web | title=China Makes Pangong Lake Bridge Operational, Builds Village Near LAC in Demchuk | website=Kashmir Times| date=2024-07-31 | url=https://kashmirtimes.com/china-makes-pangong-lake-bridge-operational-builds-village-near-lac-in-demchuk/}}</ref>
 
==Transport & roads ==
{{anchor | Road | Roads | Transport }}
{{see also | India-China Border Roads | India-China border infrastructure | Tourism in Ladakh#Roads | l3= Touristic roads in Ladakh }}
 
Following roads provide the access within the Indian held area:
 
* "[[Chang Chenmo River#MLR|Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogtsalu-Hot Springs Road]]" (PMTHR) or "Marsimik La Road" (MLR) in Changchenmo Range, via [[Phobrang]] & [[Marsimik La]] is a motorable black-topped road which runs east of Pangong Tso.<ref name=etau2>{{cite web |title=India boosts road links to LAC standoff points |work=Indian Express |author=Mayank Singh |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/jul/22/india-boosts-road-links-to-lac-standoff-points-2479299.html |date=2 July 2023}}</ref> It also provides access to the "Finger-4 Road".
 
{{anchor | F4R }}
* "Finger-4 Road" (F4R), is a black top motorable road till "Finger-4" on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso, being built by India which will be completed by 2025.<ref name=brid3>[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong Tso lake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703143823/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece |date=3 July 2023 }}, The Hindu, 2 July 2023.</ref>
 
{{anchor | LCR }}
* "Lukung-Chartse Road" (LC Road), 32&nbsp;km long road connects the northwest bank of Pangong Tso.<ref name=luk1>[https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2023/08/year-end-deadline-set-for-bro-to.html YEAR-END DEADLINE SET FOR BRO TO COMPLETE 20 ROADS ALONG LAC AS STANDOFF WITH CHINA LOOKS INCREASINGLY IRREVERSIBLE], INDIAN DEFENCE NEWS, AUGUST 03, 2023.</ref>
 
{{anchor | CKC }}
* "Chushul-Lukung Road" (CC road),<ref name=CLR1>[https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/wildlife-board-approves-5-roads-in-ladakh-including-daulat-beg-oldie-route-124101700391_1.html Wildlife Board approves 5 roads in Ladakh, including Daulat Beg Oldie route], Business Standard, 17 October 2024.</ref> also called the "Surtok-Kakstet-Chushul Road" (CKC road), a motorable black-topped road parallel to the southern bank of Pangong Tso, provides shortest route from [[Surtok]]<!--Note: retain the red link to encourage the article creation.-->, [[Spangmik]], [[Man Pangong|Man]], [[Merak, Ladakh|Merak]] & [[Kakshet]]<!--Note: retain the red link to encourage the article creation.--> to Chushul.
** "Thakung Post Road": is a  5.8&nbsp;km long spur of "Chushul-Lukung Road" from a T-section and it goes to Thakung Post of Indian Military, constructed under [[India–China Border Roads|ICBR Phase-III]].<ref name=CLR1/>
 
{{anchor | PL }}
* "Pangong Lakeshore Road" (PL road), is a motorable road along the scenic southern shore of Pangong Tso from Kakset to Chushul via Lukung and Thakung (Indian military post).
 
Following roads provide the access within the China held area:
 
* "[[China National Highway 696]]":<!--Note: retain the red link to encourage the article creation.--> runs along the India China LAC and border along a route which is opposite India held [[Daulat Beg Oldie]] (DBO) & [[Burtsa]], near Kongka La pass, to Nyagzu and Khurnak Fort, to Recho (opposite India-held [[Dungti]]<!--Note: retain the red link to encourage the article creation.-->).
* "[[China National Highway 219]]" passes by the eastern end of Pangong Tso. The lake can be accessed by driving 12&nbsp;km from [[Rutog Town|Rutog]] or 130&nbsp;km from [[Shiquanhe]]. Tourists can rent a boat on the lake, but landing on islands is not allowed, to protecting the avian breeding grounds. There are several restaurants along the shore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=黄慧英 |script-title=zh:一措再措 邂逅高原湖泊的绝美 |trans-title=Take measures to meet the beauty of plateau lakes |publisher=tibet.cn |date=4 August 2018 |language=zh |url=http://www.tibet.cn/cn/travel/201807/t20180704_6029034.html |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173348/http://www.tibet.cn/cn/travel/201807/t20180704_6029034.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{anchor| Khurnak}}The "Khurnak Bridges" are the twin adjacent bridges over the Pangong Tso, one smaller and a bigger one for the heavier vehicle, built by China to connect [[Khurnak Fort]] on the north bank to Rutog in southeast via a new road which will reduce the distance between two locations by 150&nbsp;km. India claims that this bridge is illegal as it lies in the area claimed by India. It lies 20&nbsp;km east of the point [Finger 8] which India perceives to be the location of [[Line of Actual Control|LAC]].<ref name=brid1>[https://indianexpress.com/article/india/defence-sources-china-pangong-tso-2nd-bridge-permanent-mea-7928121/ MEA: Two bridges built by China in Pangong area occupied illegally] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703143823/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/defence-sources-china-pangong-tso-2nd-bridge-permanent-mea-7928121/ |date=3 July 2023 }}, Indian Express, 21 May 2022.</ref><ref name=brid2>[https://eurasiantimes.com/chinas-2nd-bridge-on-disputed-pangong-lake-is-near/ 'Xi Hao' India! China's 2nd Bridge On Disputed Pangong Lake Is Near Completion, Satellite Imagery Reveals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703143825/https://eurasiantimes.com/chinas-2nd-bridge-on-disputed-pangong-lake-is-near/ |date=3 July 2023 }}, Eurasian Times, 17 Nov 2022.</ref>
 
== Tourism ==
{{anchor | Tourism }}
{{see also | Tourism in Ladakh }}
<!-- [[File:Txu-oclc-6654394-ni-44-3rd-ed.jpg|thumb|right|Map including Pangong Tso ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1950)]]
[[File:Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 44-9 Pangong Tso.jpg|thumb|right|Map including Pangong Tso ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1954){{efn|name=delin|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}]]
[[File:Ni-44-9-chushul-china-india.pdf|thumb|right|Map including Pangong Tso / Bangong Co ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1992))]] -->
 
Pangong Tso is part of the [[India–China border infrastructure#Tourism|Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan]] initiative of the Indian Military which will boost border tourism, patriotism, local infrastructure and economy while reversing civilian outward migration from these remote locations, it entails 77 battleground war memorials in border area including the [[Battle of Longewala|Longewala War Memorial]], [[Battle of Longewala|Sadhewala War Memorial]],<ref name=bdp2>[https://www.indiatimes.com/news/here-is-the-story-of-tanot-mata-the-diety-who-protected-indian-soldiers-from-pakistani-bombs-at-longewala-in-1971-war-259867.html The Story Of Tanot Mata, The Deity Who Protected Our Soldiers From Pakistani Bombs In 1971 War], India Times, 16 Dec 2020.</ref> [[Siachen Base Camp (India)|Siachen base camp]], [[Kargil]], [[Galwan]], [[Rezang La]], [[Doklam]], [[Bum La]], [[Cho La (Sikkim and Tibet)|Cho La]], [[Kibithu]], etc.<ref name=bdp1>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/battleground-tourism-india-indian-army-ministry-of-tourism-galwan-siachel-kargil-longewala-battle-2665110-2025-01-15. Add Galwan, Siachen to holiday plan. India is opening battle tourism bunker], India Today, 15 Jan 2025.</ref>
 
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]]. For security reasons, India does not permit boating. Groups are permitted, accompanied by an accredited guide.<ref>{{cite news |title=A handy guide on how to visit the famous Pangong Lake in Ladakh |work=Times of India Travel |date=3 December 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/a-handy-guide-on-how-to-visit-the-famous-pangong-lake-in-ladakh/photostory/79549816.cms |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213125213/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/a-handy-guide-on-how-to-visit-the-famous-pangong-lake-in-ladakh/photostory/79549816.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Javaid |first=Azaan |title=Pangong Tso opens for tourists amid Ladakh stand-off. This is how you can visit it |work=ThePrint |date=2021-01-13 |url=https://theprint.in/india/pangong-tso-opens-for-tourists-amid-ladakh-stand-off-this-is-how-you-can-visit-it/584196/ |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213100450/https://theprint.in/india/pangong-tso-opens-for-tourists-amid-ladakh-stand-off-this-is-how-you-can-visit-it/584196/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A surge in Indian tourists has presented environmental challenges due to inadequate infrastructure to accommodate and manage the growing number of visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariel Sophia Bardi |title=How "3 Idiots" Destroyed Ladakh |website=[[BuzzFeed]] |date=22 November 2016 |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/arielbardi/what-has-3-idiots-done-to-ladakh |access-date=2 June 2023 |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602155801/https://www.buzzfeed.com/arielbardi/what-has-3-idiots-done-to-ladakh |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
== Flora and fauna ==
{{ see also | Wildlife of Ladakh }}
 
The eastern part of the lake is fresh, with the content of [[total dissolved solids]] at 0.68 g/L, while the western part of the lake is saline, with the salinity at 11.02 g/L.<ref>{{cite web |title=班公错 |url=http://www.tibetol.cn/html/2013/hp_0415/487.html |language=zh |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922135914/http://www.tibetol.cn/html/2013/hp_0415/487.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[brackish water]]<ref name="Pant" /> of the lake has very low micro-vegetation. Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life on the Indian side of the lake, except for some small [[crustacean]]s. On the other hand, visitors see numerous ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake.


On September 11, 2019, [[People's Liberation Army]] troops confronted Indian troops on the northern bank of Pangong Lake.<ref>
The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the [[Bar-headed goose|bar-headed geese]] and [[Brahmini ducks]] are commonly seen here.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Khan |first=Asif |date=2016 |title=Ladakh: The Land Beyond |journal=Buceros |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=6–15 |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing |access-date=26 October 2017 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226011710/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing |url-status=live }}</ref> The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the [[kiang]] and the [[marmot]]. The lake hosts large quantities of fish, especially ''[[False osman|Schizopygopsis stoliczkai]]''<ref>
{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-ladakh-month-ahead-of-modi-xi-jinping-summit-2305615.html |title=Indian, Chinese Troops Face-off in Ladakh Ahead of Modi-Xi Summit, Army Says Tension De-escalated |date=12 September 2019 |access-date=12 May 2020 |website=[[CNN-News18]]}}
{{cite web |title=Schizopygopsis stoliczkae |website=China Animal Scientific Database |access-date=22 September 2018 |url=http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6256 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004532/http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6256 |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}
</ref><ref>
</ref> and ''[[Kunar snowtrout|Racoma labiata]]''.<ref>
{{cite web |url=https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2054821 |trans-title=China's military exercises in Tibet frequently affect China and India's future crisis response |script-title=zh:中國在西藏地區軍演頻繁 牽動中印未來危機應對 |date=10 March 2020 |access-date=16 May 2020 |language=zh-tw |editor=Chang Ya-Han {{lang |zh-tw |張雅涵}} |website=[[Radio Taiwan International]]}}
{{cite web |title=Racoma labiata |website=China Animal Scientific Database |url=http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6226 |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015534/http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6226 |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}
</ref>
</ref> Freshwater snails of the genus ''[[Radix (gastropod)|Radix]]'' also live in the lake.<ref name="Oheimb 2011">{{cite journal | last1 = Oheimb | first1 = Parm Viktor von | last2 = Albrecht | first2 = Christian | last3 = Riedel | first3 = Frank | last4 = Du | first4 = Lina | last5 = Yang | first5 = Junxing | last6 = Aldridge | first6 = David C. | last7 = Bößneck | first7 = Ulrich | last8 = Zhang | first8 = Hucai | last9 = Wilke | first9 = Thomas | year = 2011 | title = Freshwater Biogeography and Limnological Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau - Insights from a Plateau-Wide Distributed Gastropod Taxon (''Radix'' spp.) | journal = [[PLOS One]] | volume = 6 | issue = 10| article-number = e26307 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0026307 | doi-access = free | pmid = 22028853 | pmc = 3197626 | bibcode = 2011PLoSO...626307V }}</ref>


On May 5–6, 2020, there was a face-off between about 250 Indian and Chinese troops near Pangong Tso lake.<ref>
Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to the [[Shyok River]], a tributary of the [[Indus River]], but it was closed off by natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges.<ref name="Gujja">
{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/article31548893.ece |title=Indian, Chinese troops face off in Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |author=Dinakar Peri |date=10 May 2020 |access-date=13 May 2020}}
{{cite journal |author1=Biksham Gujja |author2=Archana Chatterjee |author3=Parikshit Gautam |author4=Pankaj Chandan |name-list-style=amp |title=Wetlands and Lakes at the Top of the World |journal=Mountain Research and Development |volume=23 |issue=3 |date=August 2003 |pages=219–221 |publisher=[[International Mountain Society]] |location=Bern, Switzerland |issn=1994-7151 |doi=10.1659/0276-4741(2003)023[0219:WALATT]2.0.CO;2|s2cid=130202320 |doi-access=free }}
</ref><ref name="hket">
</ref> Strand lines above current lake level reveal a {{Convert|5|m|abbr=on}} thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently on the geological scale.<ref name="Pant">{{cite journal |author1=R. K. Pant |author2=N. R. Phadtare |author3=L. S. Chamyal |author4=Navin Juyal |date=10 June 2005 |title=Quaternary deposits in Ladakh and Karakoram Himalaya: A treasure trove of the palaeoclimate records |journal=Current Science |volume=88 |issue=11 |url=https://www.academia.edu/26184431 |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120071453/https://www.academia.edu/26184431 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the Indian side, no fish have been observed, however in the stream coming from the south-eastern side (Cheshul nalla), three fish species (''Schizopygopsis stoliczkae'', ''[[Tibetan stone loach]]'' and ''[[Triplophysa gracilis]]'') have been reported (Bhat et al., 2011). The low [[biodiversity]] has been reported as being due to high salinity and harsh environmental conditions (Bhat et al., 2011).
{{cite web |url=https://china.hket.com/article/2639292/中印邊境再爆衝突%20%20150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 |script-title=zh:中印邊境再爆衝突 150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 |language=zh-hant |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=16 May 2020 |website=[[Hong Kong Economic Times]] |author={{lang |zh-hant |費風}} |quote={{lang |zh-hant |消息指,第一起事件發生於5月5日至6日,在中印邊境的班公錯湖(Pangong Tso )地區,當時解放軍的「侵略性巡邏」(aggressive patrolling)被印度軍方阻攔。「結果發生了混亂,雙方都有一些士兵受傷。」{...}2017年8月,兩國軍隊曾於拉達克地區班公湖附近爆發衝突,當時雙方擲石攻擊對方,雙方均有人受傷,最終兩軍在半小時後退回各自據點。}}|trans-title=Another 150 soldiers in the Sino-Indian border conflict caused 12 injuries in a fight}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/chinese-military-bolsters-troops-in-aksai-chin-region-in-sino-india-border-report/articleshow/75810930.cms |title=Chinese military bolsters troops in Aksai Chin region in Sino-India border: Report |date=19 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |quote=On May 5, around 250 Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed in Pangong Tso lake area in Eastern Ladakh.}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3940166 |title=Chinese, Indian troops engage in border conflicts |date=25 May 2020 |access-date=26 May 2020 |website=[[Taiwan News]]}}
</ref> Four Indian and seven Chinese soldiers were injured.<ref>
[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/tense-india-china-standoff-himalayan-border-escalate-200527120501581.html 'All-out combat' feared as India, China engage in border standoff]
</ref>


On 29–30 August 2020,Indian troops had occupied many heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso. The heights mentioned include [[Rezang La]], Reqin La, Black Top, Hanan, Helmet, [[Gurung Hill]], Gorkha Hill and Magar Hill.<ref name=":57">{{cite news |last1=Dutta |first1=Amrita Nayak |title=Army now holding 30 dominating heights, earlier unoccupied, on southern bank of Pangong Tso |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-now-holding-30-dominating-heights-earlier-unoccupied-on-southern-bank-of-pangong-tso/495077/ |access-date=8 September 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=3 September 2020}}</ref> Some of these heights are in the grey zone of the LAC and overlook Chinese camps.<ref name=":58">{{Cite web|last=Sagar|first=Pradip R|date=2 September 2020|title=India controls dominating heights in Chushul sector|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/09/02/india-now-controls-dominating-heights-in-chushul-sector.html|access-date=2020-09-08|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref>
Bird Islet is a popular location for bird-watching for tourists in [[Ngari Prefecture|Ngari]].<ref name="birdislet">
{{cite book |title=Dreams of Snow Land |publisher=[[Foreign Languages Press]]  |location=Beijing |date=2005 |isbn=7-119-03883-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/ |via=archive.org  |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/page/273 273]-[https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/page/275 275]}}</ref>


==Gallery==
== Climate ==
{{Weather box |width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Pangong Tso
|Jan high C = -5.9
|Feb high C = -3.7
|Mar high C = 0.9
|Apr high C = 6.9
|May high C = 11.6
|Jun high C = 17.4
|Jul high C = 20.5
|Aug high C = 19.7
|Sep high C = 15.5
|Oct high C = 7.9
|Nov high C = 1.5
|Dec high C = -3.3
|Jan mean C = -13.3
|Feb mean C = -10.8
|Mar mean C = -6.0
|Apr mean C = -0.5
|May mean C = 3.8
|Jun mean C = 9.5
|Jul mean C = 13.1
|Aug mean C = 12.7
|Sep mean C = 7.8
|Oct mean C = -0.3
|Nov mean C = -6.8
|Dec mean C = -11.3
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = -20.6
|Feb low C = -17.9
|Mar low C = -12.8
|Apr low C = -7.8
|May low C = -3.9
|Jun low C = 1.6
|Jul low C = 5.8
|Aug low C = 5.7
|Sep low C = 0.2
|Oct low C = -8.5
|Nov low C = -15.1
|Dec low C = -19.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 4
|Feb precipitation mm = 2
|Mar precipitation mm = 3
|Apr precipitation mm = 3
|May precipitation mm = 4
|Jun precipitation mm = 2
|Jul precipitation mm = 11
|Aug precipitation mm = 15
|Sep precipitation mm = 4
|Oct precipitation mm = 2
|Nov precipitation mm = 2
|Dec precipitation mm = 3
|source 1 = [https://en.climate-data.org/location/968275/ Climate-Data.org]
}}
 
== Gallery ==
[[File:Pangong pano.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Pangong Tso]]
[[File:Pangong pano.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Pangong Tso]]
<gallery class="center">
<gallery class="center">
File:Pangong Lake Transparent Water & Pebbles.jpg|Pangong Lake Transparent Water & Pebbles
File:Frozen, Pangong Tso.jpg|Frozen, Pangong Tso
File:Pangonglake.jpg|View of Pangong Tso from west side, with Yak
File:Pangong Lake Transparent Water & Pebbles.jpg|Transparent water
File:Pangong Tso Blue water.JPG|Pangong Tso Blue water
File:Pangong Tso.JPG|During summer
File:Pangong lake - Ladakh.jpg|Pangong lake on 21 July 2018
File:Ducks in Pangong Tso.jpg|Birds
Image:Pangong_Tso.JPG|The lake during summer
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh valley.jpg
Image:Ducks in Pangong Tso.jpg|Ducks as seen in the Lake
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 06.jpg
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 05.jpg
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 04.jpg
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 02.jpg
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 03.jpg
File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 01.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
===Maps===
*[[Soda lake]]
{{multiple image
|align = center
|width = 225
|image1 = Ladakh-Garhwal-1863.jpg
|alt1 =
|caption1 = Edward Weller map of Ladakh and Garhwal, 1863
|image2 = Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 44-9 Pangong Tso.jpg
|alt2 =
|caption2 = Map including Pangong Tso ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1954){{efn|name=delin|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}
|image3 = Ni-44-9-chushul-china-india.pdf
|alt3 =  
|caption3 = Map including Pangong Tso / Bangong Co ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1992)
}}
{{clear}}
 
== See also ==
*[[Aksai Chin]] and [[List of locations in Aksai Chin|its locations]]
*[[Aksai Chin]] and [[List of locations in Aksai Chin|its locations]]
*[[Sirijap]]
*[[Sirijap]]
*[[Khurnak Fort]]
*[[Rudok]]
*[[Rudok]]
*[[National Large Solar Telescope]], one of the world largest [[List of solar telescopes|solar telescope]] proposed to be built near Pangong Tso
*[[National Large Solar Telescope]]
*[[Spanggur Tso]]
*[[Spanggur Tso]]
*[[Tso Moriri]]


==Notes==
==References==
;Notes
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}


==References==
;Citations
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Bibliography==
== Bibliography ==
* {{citation |last=Cunningham |first=Alexander |title=Ladak: Physical, Statistical, Historical |publisher=Wm. H. Allen and Co |location=London |year=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/ladakphysicalsta00cunnrich |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Cunningham, Ladak|1854}}}}
* {{citation |last=Cunningham |first=Alexander |title=Ladak: Physical, Statistical, Historical |publisher=Wm. H. Allen and Co |location=London |year=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/ladakphysicalsta00cunnrich |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Cunningham, Ladak|1854}}}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Dortch |first1=Jason M. |last2=Owen |first2=Lewis A. |last3=Caffee |first3=Marc W. |last4=Kamp |first4=Ulrich |title=Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso, northern India and Tibet |journal=Geomorphology |volume=125 |issue=1 |year=2011 |pages=109–121 |issn=0169-555X |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.08.017 |ref={{sfnref|Dortch et al., Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso|2011}}}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Dortch |first1=Jason M. |last2=Owen |first2=Lewis A. |last3=Caffee |first3=Marc W. |last4=Kamp |first4=Ulrich |title=Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso, northern India and Tibet |journal=Geomorphology |volume=125 |issue=1 |year=2011 |pages=109–121 |issn=0169-555X |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.08.017 |bibcode=2011Geomo.125..109D |ref={{sfnref|Dortch et al., Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso|2011}}}}
* {{citation |last=Godwin-Austen |first=H. H. |title=Notes on the Pangong Lake District of Ladakh, from a Journal made during a Survey in 1863 |journal=The Journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lwMAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA351 |year=1867 |volume=37 |pages=343–363 |publisher=J. Murray |location=London |doi=10.2307/1798534 |jstor=1798534 |ref={{sfnref|Godwin-Austen, Notes on the Pangong Lake District|1867}}}}
* {{citation |last=Godwin-Austen |first=H. H. |title=Notes on the Pangong Lake District of Ladakh, from a Journal made during a Survey in 1863 |journal=The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lwMAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA351 |year=1867 |volume=37 |pages=343–363 |publisher=J. Murray |location=London |doi=10.2307/1798534 |jstor=1798534 |ref={{sfnref|Godwin-Austen, Notes on the Pangong Lake District|1867}}|url-access=subscription }}
* {{citation |first=Ellsworth |last=Huntington |title=Pangong: A Glacial Lake in the Tibetan Plateau |journal=The Journal of Geology |publisher=University of Chicago |volume=14 |number=7 |year=1906 |pages=599–617 |doi=10.1086/621337 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/2318025 }}
* {{citation |first=Ellsworth |last=Huntington |title=Pangong: A Glacial Lake in the Tibetan Plateau |journal=The Journal of Geology |publisher=University of Chicago |volume=14 |number=7 |year=1906 |pages=599–617 |doi=10.1086/621337 |bibcode=1906JG.....14..599H |s2cid=129014522 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/2318025 }}
* {{citation |last=Strachey |first=Henry |title=Physical Geography of Western Tibet |publisher=William Clows and Sons |location=London |date=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/physicalgeograp00stragoog |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Strachey, Physical Geography of Western Tibet|1854}}}}
* {{citation |last=Strachey |first=Henry |title=Physical Geography of Western Tibet |publisher=William Clows and Sons |location=London |date=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/physicalgeograp00stragoog |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Strachey, Physical Geography of Western Tibet|1854}}}}


==Further reading==
== Further reading ==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage-listing|Leh}}
{{wikivoyage listing|Leh}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Streule |first1=M.J. |last2=Phillips |first2=R.J. |last3=Searle |first3=M.P. |last4=Waters |first4=D.J. |last5=Horstwood |first5=M.S.A. |title=Evolution and chronology of the Pangong Metamorphic Complex adjacent to the Karakoram Fault, Ladakh: constraints from thermobarometry, metamorphic modelling and U–Pb geochronology |journal=Journal of the Geological Society |volume=166 |issue=5 |year=2009 |pages=919–932 |issn=0016-7649 |doi=10.1144/0016-76492008-117|s2cid=6633788 |url=http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8429/1/Streule_et_al_Pangong_revised_-_NORA_version.pdf }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Streule |first1=M.J. |last2=Phillips |first2=R.J. |last3=Searle |first3=M.P. |last4=Waters |first4=D.J. |last5=Horstwood |first5=M.S.A. |title=Evolution and chronology of the Pangong Metamorphic Complex adjacent to the Karakoram Fault, Ladakh: constraints from thermobarometry, metamorphic modelling and U–Pb geochronology |journal=Journal of the Geological Society |volume=166 |issue=5 |year=2009 |pages=919–932 |issn=0016-7649 |doi=10.1144/0016-76492008-117|bibcode=2009JGSoc.166..919S |s2cid=6633788 |url=http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8429/1/Streule_et_al_Pangong_revised_-_NORA_version.pdf }}
* {{Cite journal|vauthors=Srivastava P, Kumar A, Singh R, Deepak O, Kumar AM, Ray Y, Jayangondaperumal R, Phartiyal B, Chahal P, Sharma P, Ghosh R, Kumar N, Agnihotri R|date=July 2020|title=Rapid lake level fall in Pangong Tso (lake) in Ladakh, NW Himalaya: a response of late Holocene aridity|url=https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/119/02/0219.pdf|journal=Current Science|volume=119|issue=2|pages=219–231|doi=10.18520/cs/v119/i2/219-231 |s2cid=239601454 }}
* [[:File:SINO-INDIAN BORDER DEFENSES CHUSHUL AREA CIA-RDP89B00569R000200120051-4.pdf|SINO-INDIAN BORDER DEFENSES CHUSHUL AREA]] (CIA, 1963)
* [[:File:SINO-INDIAN BORDER DEFENSES CHUSHUL AREA CIA-RDP89B00569R000200120051-4.pdf|SINO-INDIAN BORDER DEFENSES CHUSHUL AREA]] (CIA, 1963)


Line 506: Line 532:
{{Ladakh}}
{{Ladakh}}
{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}
* [https://thinkarya.com/pangong-tso-lake-where-3-idiot-filmed/] (Travel with Thinkarya)
 
[[Category:Lakes of Ladakh]]
[[Category:Lakes of Ladakh]]
[[Category:Lakes of Tibet]]
[[Category:Lakes of Tibet]]

Latest revision as of 20:40, 26 December 2025


Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso from space
A view of Pangong Tso from space
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 501: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/China Tibet Ngari" does not exist.
LocationLeh district (Ladakh, India),
Rutog County (Tibet, China)
Coordinates33°43′04.59″N 78°53′48.48″E / 33.7179417°N 78.8968000°E / 33.7179417; 78.8968000
TypeSoda lake
dimictic lake (east basin)[1]
cold monomictic lake (west basin)[citation needed]
Basin countriesChina, India
Max. length134 km (83 mi)
Max. width5 km (3.1 mi)
Surface areaapprox. 700 km2 (270 sq mi)
Max. depth330 ft. (100 m)
Surface elevation4,225 metres (13,862 ft)[2]
Frozenduring winter
Pangong Tso
Script error: No such module "Infobox multi-lingual name".
Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo
Script error: No such module "Infobox multi-lingual name".

Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake (Tibetan: སྤང་གོང་མཚོ;[3] Chinese: 班公错; pinyin: Bān gōng cuò; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is an endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and West Tibet situated at an elevation of 4,225 m (13,862 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long. Approximately 50% of the length of the overall lake lies within Tibet administered by China, 40% in Indian-administered Ladakh; the remaining 10% is disputed and is a de facto buffer zone between India and China. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. All together it covers almost 700 km2. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. It has a land-locked basin separated from the Indus River basin by a small elevated ridge, but is believed to have been part of the Indus basin in prehistoric times.[4]

Names[edit | edit source]

Historically, the lake is viewed as being made up five sublakes, which are connected through narrow water channels. The name Pangong Tso only applied to the westernmost lake that is mostly in Ladakh. The main lake on the Tibetan side is called Tso Nyak (the "middle lake"). It is followed by two small lakes called Rum Tso. The last lake near Rutog is called Nyak Tso again.[5][6] The whole lake group was and is still often referred to as Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo (Tibetan: མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ[3]) in Tibetan.

There are different interpretations of the meanings of both Pangong Tso and Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo. The Ladakh government website says "Pangong Tso" is Tibetan, meaning "high grassland lake",[7] however travel books say Pangong means "hollow".[8][9] Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo is Tibetan that is interpreted to mean various different but similar meanings -- "long, narrow, enchanted lake" by Chinese media sources,[10] "female narrow very long lake" by early European explorers,[11] and "long-necked swan lake" by other modern sources.[12]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Pangong Tso is surrounded by three mountain ranges: Changchenmo Range to the north, Pangong Range to the west, and Kailash Range (Gangdise Shan range) to the south.[13][14][15] According to the Britannica, the Changchenmo Range and Pangong Range are sometimes considered easternmost part of the Karakoram Range.[13] Kailash Range, runs along southern bank of the Pangong Tso, from centre of Pangong Tso at Lukung to the west to Phursook Bay and Mount Kailash.[14]

Sino-Indian border dispute[edit | edit source]

Lua error in Module:OSM_Location_map at line 1984: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

Pangong Tso is disputed territory. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) passes through the lake. A section of the lake approximately 20 km east from the LAC is controlled by China but claimed by India. To the south is the smaller Spanggur Tso lake. The eastern end of the lake is in Tibet. After the mid-19th century, Pangong Tso was at the southern end of Johnson Line, an early attempt at demarcation between India and China in the Aksai Chin region.

Khurnak Fort lies on the northern bank of the lake, about halfway up Pangong Tso. The dispute over the fort was discussed in a 1924 conference, which remained inconclusive. After the conference, the British government decided that Tibetans had a better case and not only Khurnak Fort but also Dokpo Karpo and Nyagzu were part of Tibet. In 1929, following the protests of Kashmir Durbar, they decided to drop the British claims made in behalf of Kashmir state.[18] The Chinese established their military presence in the Khurnak Fort by 1958.[19]

On 20 October 1962, Pangong Tso saw military action during the Sino-Indian War, successful for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).[20] The area remains a sensitive border point along the LAC.[21][22] Incursions from the Chinese side are common.[23]

In August 2017, Indian and Chinese forces near Pangong Tso engaged in a melee involving kicking, punching, rock throwing, and use of makeshift weapons such as sticks and rods.[24][25] On 11 September 2019, PLA troops confronted Indian troops on the northern bank.[26][27] On 5–6 May 2020, a face-off between about 250 Indian and Chinese troops near the lake resulted in casualties on both sides.[28][24][29][30]

On 29–30 August 2020, Indian troops occupied many heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso. The heights included Rezang La, Reqin La, Black Top, Hanan, Helmet, Gurung Hill, Gorkha Hill and Magar Hill.[31] Some of these heights are in the grey zone of the LAC and overlook Chinese camps.[32] India chose to pull back from these positions as leverage for larger disengagement.[33] Both the Chinese and Indian militaries have vessels stationed on the lake.[34][35][36]

Since 2022, China built a bridge across the lake near the Khurnak Fort.[37][38] The construction of the 400-meter bridge was completed in July 2024.[39]

Transport & roads[edit | edit source]

Following roads provide the access within the Indian held area:

  • "Finger-4 Road" (F4R), is a black top motorable road till "Finger-4" on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso, being built by India which will be completed by 2025.[41]

  • "Lukung-Chartse Road" (LC Road), 32 km long road connects the northwest bank of Pangong Tso.[42]

  • "Chushul-Lukung Road" (CC road),[43] also called the "Surtok-Kakstet-Chushul Road" (CKC road), a motorable black-topped road parallel to the southern bank of Pangong Tso, provides shortest route from Surtok, Spangmik, Man, Merak & Kakshet to Chushul.
    • "Thakung Post Road": is a 5.8 km long spur of "Chushul-Lukung Road" from a T-section and it goes to Thakung Post of Indian Military, constructed under ICBR Phase-III.[43]

  • "Pangong Lakeshore Road" (PL road), is a motorable road along the scenic southern shore of Pangong Tso from Kakset to Chushul via Lukung and Thakung (Indian military post).

Following roads provide the access within the China held area:

  • "China National Highway 696": runs along the India China LAC and border along a route which is opposite India held Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) & Burtsa, near Kongka La pass, to Nyagzu and Khurnak Fort, to Recho (opposite India-held Dungti).
  • "China National Highway 219" passes by the eastern end of Pangong Tso. The lake can be accessed by driving 12 km from Rutog or 130 km from Shiquanhe. Tourists can rent a boat on the lake, but landing on islands is not allowed, to protecting the avian breeding grounds. There are several restaurants along the shore.[44] The "Khurnak Bridges" are the twin adjacent bridges over the Pangong Tso, one smaller and a bigger one for the heavier vehicle, built by China to connect Khurnak Fort on the north bank to Rutog in southeast via a new road which will reduce the distance between two locations by 150 km. India claims that this bridge is illegal as it lies in the area claimed by India. It lies 20 km east of the point [Finger 8] which India perceives to be the location of LAC.[45][46]

Tourism[edit | edit source]

Pangong Tso is part of the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Indian Military which will boost border tourism, patriotism, local infrastructure and economy while reversing civilian outward migration from these remote locations, it entails 77 battleground war memorials in border area including the Longewala War Memorial, Sadhewala War Memorial,[47] Siachen base camp, Kargil, Galwan, Rezang La, Doklam, Bum La, Cho La, Kibithu, etc.[48]

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. For security reasons, India does not permit boating. Groups are permitted, accompanied by an accredited guide.[49][50] A surge in Indian tourists has presented environmental challenges due to inadequate infrastructure to accommodate and manage the growing number of visitors.[51]

Flora and fauna[edit | edit source]

The eastern part of the lake is fresh, with the content of total dissolved solids at 0.68 g/L, while the western part of the lake is saline, with the salinity at 11.02 g/L.[52] The brackish water[53] of the lake has very low micro-vegetation. Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life on the Indian side of the lake, except for some small crustaceans. On the other hand, visitors see numerous ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake.

The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the bar-headed geese and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here.[54] The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the kiang and the marmot. The lake hosts large quantities of fish, especially Schizopygopsis stoliczkai[55] and Racoma labiata.[56] Freshwater snails of the genus Radix also live in the lake.[57]

Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to the Shyok River, a tributary of the Indus River, but it was closed off by natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges.[58] Strand lines above current lake level reveal a 5 m (16 ft) thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently on the geological scale.[53] On the Indian side, no fish have been observed, however in the stream coming from the south-eastern side (Cheshul nalla), three fish species (Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, Tibetan stone loach and Triplophysa gracilis) have been reported (Bhat et al., 2011). The low biodiversity has been reported as being due to high salinity and harsh environmental conditions (Bhat et al., 2011).

Bird Islet is a popular location for bird-watching for tourists in Ngari.[59]

Climate[edit | edit source]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Pangong Tso

Maps[edit | edit source]

Edward Weller map of Ladakh and Garhwal, 1863
Map including Pangong Tso (AMS, 1954)[lower-alpha 2]
Map including Pangong Tso / Bangong Co (DMA, 1992)

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Notes
  1. The LAC displayed is that marked by the OpenStreetMap editors, said to reflect the Chinese maps.
  2. From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"
Citations
  1. Wang, M.; Hou, J.; Lei, Y. (2014). "Classification of Tibetan lakes based on variations in seasonal lake water temperature". Chinese Science Bulletin. 59 (34): 4847–4855. Bibcode:2014ChSBu..59.4847W. doi:10.1007/s11434-014-0588-8.
  2. Dortch et al., Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso (2011), p. 111.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Ngari prefecture". Geographical names of Tibet AR (China). Institute of the Estonian Language. 3 June 2018. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  4. "River basins with Major and medium dams & barrages location map in India, WRIS" (Adobe Flash Player version 10.0.0 or greater). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. Hedin, Sven Anders (1907). Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia 1899-1902: Central and West Tibet. Lithographic institute of the General staff of the Swedish army. p. 521. From Noh to Bal Rawling followed the same route that I did along the northern shore of the Tso-ngombo, which he calls the Tso Mo Gualari, dividing it into the sections: Tso Nyak, the twin lakes Rum Tso and Nyak Tso. He says that it consists of a string of five lakes 120 m. in length, the four most southern of which are fresh, and Pangong, the most northerly, salt. They are joined together by channels about 60 feet in width and 15 feet deep, the current running at nearly 1½ mile an hour.
  6. Saward, M. H. (1878). Routes in Asia: Routes in the territories of the Maharaja of Jummoo and Kashmir, and adjacent countries. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing. pp. 31–33. Only the lower lake (the Pangong Tso proper) lies in Ladak, the middle (Tso Nyak) and upper lakes being in Rudok territory. ... The waters of the western end are much more salt than those of the eastern end near Ot. in the stream connecting the Pangong Tso with Nyak Tso the water becomes drinkable, and rich grass is found on the banks.
  7. "Pangong Lake". Union Territory of Ladakh. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020. Pangong Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Leh Ladakh, derives its name from the Tibetan word, "Pangong Tso", which means "high grassland lake".
  8. Michelle Coxall; Paul Greenway (1 September 1996). Indian Himalaya: a Lonely Planet travel survival kit. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-0-86442-413-6. The salty Pangong Tso - Pangong means 'hollow' - is the highest lake in Ladakh at about 4300m, and is flanked by massive peaks over 6500m high.
  9. Kirit Rindani (7 January 2016). Indian Himalaya: Story of a 100 Visits. Partridge Publishing India. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-4828-5886-0. The word Pangong means 'extensive concavity' which probably explains its size.
  10. "Pangong Tso Lake in Tibet". China Daily. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020. Pangong Tso Lake is a trans-border lake extending from the Ali prefecture of China's Tibet autonomous region to India. About 155 kilometers in length, the geographic features of the lake are indicated in the name which in Tibetan means "long, narrow, enchanted lake".
  11. Trotter, H. (1877). "Account of the Pundit's Journey in Great Tibet from Leh in Ladakh to Lhasa, and of His Return to India Via Assam". Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. 47: 86–136. doi:10.2307/1798740. ISSN 0266-6235. JSTOR 1798740. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020. the Pangong, but better known to the Tibetans as the Chomo Gna Laring Cho, which, being literally interpreted, means "Female narrow very long lake."
  12. "Pangong Tso Lake in the Northern Tibet". Kangba TV. 6 March 2017. Pangong Tso Lake, at an altitude of 4,200 meters, is also called Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo Lake, which means "a swan with a long neck" in Tibetan.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Karakoram: Pangong Range, Britannica, accessed 13 October 2023.
  14. 14.0 14.1 If India loses grip on Kailash Range, PLA will make sure we never get it back, The Print, 12 November 2020.
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  16. India, Ministry of External Affairs, ed. (1962), Report of the Officials of the Governments of India and the People's Republic of China on the Boundary Question, Government of India Press, Chinese Report, Part 1 (PDF) (Report). pp. 4–5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
    The location and terrain features of this traditional customary boundary line are now described as follows in three sectors, western, middle and eastern. ... From Ane Pass southwards, the boundary line runs along the mountain ridge and passes through peak 6,127 (approximately 78° 46' E, 38° 50' N) [sic] and then southwards to the northern bank of the Pangong Lake' (approximately 78° 49' E, 33° 44' N). It crosses this lake and reaches its southern bank at approximately 78° 43' E, 33° 40' N. Then it goes in a south-easterly direction along the watershed dividing the Tongada River and the streams flowing into the Spanggur Lake until it reaches Mount Sajum.
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  19. Sali, M. L. (1998). India-China Border Dispute: A Case Study of the Eastern Sector. APH Publishing. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7024-964-1.
  20. Burkitt, Laurie; Scobell, Andrew; Wortzel, Larry M. (July 2003). The Lessons of History: The Chinese People's Liberation Army at 75 (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute. pp. 340–341. ISBN 1-58487-126-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  21. Pubby, Manu (7 October 2008). "Pangong Lake is border flashpoint between India and China". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 6 July 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  22. Shahin, Sultan (1 August 2003). "Vajpayee claps with one hand on border dispute". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003.
  23. Holslag, Jonathan (2008). "China, India and the Military Security Dilemma, Vol 3(5)" (PDF). BICCS Background Papers. Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  24. 24.0 24.1 費風 (11 May 2020). 中印邊境再爆衝突 150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 [Another 150 soldiers in the Sino-Indian border conflict caused 12 injuries in a fight]. Hong Kong Economic Times (in 中文(繁體)). 消息指,第一起事件發生於5月5日至6日,在中印邊境的班公錯湖(Pangong Tso )地區,當時解放軍的「侵略性巡邏」(aggressive patrolling)被印度軍方阻攔。「結果發生了混亂,雙方都有一些士兵受傷。」{...}2017年8月,兩國軍隊曾於拉達克地區班公湖附近爆發衝突,當時雙方擲石攻擊對方,雙方均有人受傷,最終兩軍在半小時後退回各自據點。
  25. Sushant Singh (20 May 2020). "India-China conflict in Ladakh: The importance of the Pangong Tso lake". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  26. "Indian, Chinese Troops Face-off in Ladakh Ahead of Modi-Xi Summit, Army Says Tension De-escalated". CNN-News18. 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  27. Chang Ya-Han 張雅涵, ed. (10 March 2020). 中國在西藏地區軍演頻繁 牽動中印未來危機應對 [China's military exercises in Tibet frequently affect China and India's future crisis response]. Radio Taiwan International (in 中文(臺灣)). Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
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  29. "Chinese military bolsters troops in Aksai Chin region in Sino-India border: Report". The Economic Times. 19 May 2020. Archived from the original on 19 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020. On May 5, around 250 Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed in Pangong Tso lake area in Eastern Ladakh.
  30. Khalid, Saif (28 May 2020). "'All-out combat' feared as India, China engage in border standoff". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  31. Dutta, Amrita Nayak (3 September 2020). "Army now holding 30 dominating heights, earlier unoccupied, on southern bank of Pangong Tso". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  32. Sagar, Pradip R (2 September 2020). "India controls dominating heights in Chushul sector". The Week. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  33. Dhoundial, Shreya (17 February 2021). "India's Move to Occupy Kailash Range Became Turning Point in Disengagement Talks: Lt Gen YK Joshi". News18. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  34. Hooper, Craig (5 July 2020). "On Pangong Lake, Chinese And Indian Fleets Square Off At 14,000 Feet". Forbes. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  35. P, Rajat (13 June 2021). "Army gets special boats for Pangong Tso". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  36. Singh, Mayank (18 August 2021). "China raises firepower & mobility near Pangong Tso". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  37. Som, Vishnu (7 January 2022). "Chinese Bridge Over Pangong Lake In Illegally Held Territory: Government". NDTV. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  38. Laskar, Rezaul H (4 February 2022). "India says China's bridge on Pangong Lake located in areas under 'illegal occupation'". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  39. "China Makes Pangong Lake Bridge Operational, Builds Village Near LAC in Demchuk". Kashmir Times. 31 July 2024.
  40. Mayank Singh (2 July 2023). "India boosts road links to LAC standoff points". Indian Express.
  41. India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong Tso lake Archived 3 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine, The Hindu, 2 July 2023.
  42. YEAR-END DEADLINE SET FOR BRO TO COMPLETE 20 ROADS ALONG LAC AS STANDOFF WITH CHINA LOOKS INCREASINGLY IRREVERSIBLE, INDIAN DEFENCE NEWS, AUGUST 03, 2023.
  43. 43.0 43.1 Wildlife Board approves 5 roads in Ladakh, including Daulat Beg Oldie route, Business Standard, 17 October 2024.
  44. 黄慧英 (4 August 2018). 一措再措 邂逅高原湖泊的绝美 [Take measures to meet the beauty of plateau lakes] (in 中文). tibet.cn. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  45. MEA: Two bridges built by China in Pangong area occupied illegally Archived 3 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Indian Express, 21 May 2022.
  46. 'Xi Hao' India! China's 2nd Bridge On Disputed Pangong Lake Is Near Completion, Satellite Imagery Reveals Archived 3 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Eurasian Times, 17 Nov 2022.
  47. The Story Of Tanot Mata, The Deity Who Protected Our Soldiers From Pakistani Bombs In 1971 War, India Times, 16 Dec 2020.
  48. Add Galwan, Siachen to holiday plan. India is opening battle tourism bunker, India Today, 15 Jan 2025.
  49. "A handy guide on how to visit the famous Pangong Lake in Ladakh". Times of India Travel. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
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  55. "Schizopygopsis stoliczkae". China Animal Scientific Database. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  56. "Racoma labiata". China Animal Scientific Database. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  57. Oheimb, Parm Viktor von; Albrecht, Christian; Riedel, Frank; Du, Lina; Yang, Junxing; Aldridge, David C.; Bößneck, Ulrich; Zhang, Hucai; Wilke, Thomas (2011). "Freshwater Biogeography and Limnological Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau - Insights from a Plateau-Wide Distributed Gastropod Taxon (Radix spp.)". PLOS One. 6 (10) e26307. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...626307V. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026307. PMC 3197626. PMID 22028853.
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  59. Dreams of Snow Land. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press. 2005. pp. 273-275. ISBN 7-119-03883-4 – via archive.org.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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