A road connecting Leh to the Pangong Lake was inaugurated on August 31, 2021 by Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal.
Highlights
- The stretch passing through the Kela Pass at 18,600 feet is the world’s highest motorable way.
- The road was constructed by 58 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army.
- It will reduce the distance between Leh (Zingral to Tangtse) to Pangong Lake crossing the Kela Pass by 41 kms.
Significance of the road
This road will play a significant role in boosting the socio-economic status of local residents, primarily for the people of Lalok region of Ladakh. It will facilitate tourism and tourists will see world’s highest motorable road, rare medicinal plants, participate in snow sport activities etc.
Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake
It is an endorheic lake spreading into eastern Ladakh and West Tibet. It is situated at an elevation of 4,225 m. The lake is 134 km long and divided into five sub lakes namely, Pangong Tso, Rum Tso (twin lakes), Tso Nyak, and Nyak Tso. 50% of the length of overall lake in located in Tibet China while 40% in Ladakh India. 10% of the lake is disputed and is considered as de-facto buffer zone between India and China. This lake is 5 km wide at its broadest point. It freezes completely during winter, despite being saline water.
Is the lake a wetland?
The lake is currently in the process of being identified under Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance and will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the Ramsar convention.