Tso Moriri

The Changthang Plateau in the eastern Ladakh is an extension of the western Tibetan Plateau that lies above msl and supports diverse but low populations of several globally threatened mammals. It is bordered by the Salt Valley, Kyago Tso and Puga Valley to the north; while the Tegazhung Plains (pasturelands) and Chumur region lie to its southeast. Several small mountain streams feed the lake, including one through pasture land at Peldo Le. The lake is fed by springs and snow melt and has a maximum depth of . To the south of Tso Moriri lies the Nuro Sumdo (Narbu Sumdo) wetlands (with catchment), a boggy area outside the lake's drainage basin that primarily drains into the Pare Chu River system. (i) Glacial lakes which are formed in and around glaciers; (ii) Structural lakes, formed by folds or faults due to movements in earth’s crust (e.g. Nainital lake in Uttarakhand), (iii) Remnant lakes which were originally structural but represent the remnants of vast lakes (e.g., Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, Pangong Tso in Ladakh, and Dal Lake in Kashmir), (iv) Natural dammed lakes i.e., temporary water bodies formed along the river courses due to deposition of rocks or debris e.g. Gohna Tal in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. ==Climate ==

Aridity and cold desert conditions prevail in the lake region; with summer temperature varying from and winter temperature recording . ==People==

. On the banks of Tso Moriri, Ladkah, 2010. Changpa, the nomadic migratory shepherds (pastoral community) of yak, sheep, goat, and horses of Tibetan origin and who are engaged in trade and work on caravans in Ladakh region, are the main inhabitants of the area. Changpa (Champa) herders use the land of this valley as grazing ground and for cultivation. ==Tourism==

Karzok has homestays, Buddhist monastery and lake tourism. The Korzok Monastery, on the western bank of the lake is 400 years old and attracts tourists and Buddhist pilgrims. Tourism during May – September attracts large number of foreign and local tourists even though tented accommodation is the facility available, apart from a small PWD guest house close to the Lake. Northeast of Tso Moriri is a small lake, Kyagar Tso in the Salt Valley, which is known locally as Lake of Joy. == Transport==

Airports: • Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, the nearest airport with scheduled domestic flights is at Leh, northeast by road. • Nyoma Military Airbase is only 60-70 km away to the northeast, but as of 2025 it is not open for the civilian flights though there are plans for the joint-use civilian enclave under the UDAN scheme. • Rangrik Airport, the proposed airport 100-120 km to the south from Karzok. Railway: • Miroo, will be the nearest railway station at the under-construction Bhanupli–Leh line. Roads: • From north, via Sumdo from "Miroo-Puga-Sumdo-Mahe Road" (MPSM Road) and then travelling south on Sumdo-Karzok Road. See transport to Salt Valley and Tso Moriri. • From south, via Kiato (near Kaza in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh) from the 125 km long Kiato-Karzok Road through the Takling La Tunnel (5575 m) being constructed by the BRO as fourth alternative route to Ladakh. • From northeast (Hanle) and east (Chumur), near Ryul Tso on Hanle-Ryul-Chumur Road taking the Ryul-Chumur Road towards south, and then taking the west turn near Tegazhung Plains (pastureland on southeast bank of Tso Moriri lake between the lake and Chumur) on the Chumur-Tegazhung-Karzok Road to go northwest to Karzok via Charchagan La (southeast bank of Tso Moriri). • Tsomoriri-Pangong Tso 235km long tourist route via Nyoma, Chushul and Spangmik in the remote Changtang region, considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the entire Ladakh region, is in a good condition for the most part. There are no petrol pumps on this long route, hence carrying enough fuel is necessary. Foreigners are not allowed to go beyond the Man - Merak villages on Pangong Tso as permits are not issued for them. ==Ecology==

Tso Moriri basin represents a landscape of low productive ecosystems which protects unique floral and faunal species. The Working Report (2006) of the Planning Commission of the Government of India also reports: ==Conservation ==

, India. Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, a Ramsar site, • World Wildlife Fund-India leads conservation through its Korzok field office, conducting ecological surveys and awareness programs while developing sustainable tourism models and environmental management systems. • Wildlife Institute of India maintains a Leh research station supporting scientific studies. • Local communities have implemented habitat protection measures including traditional fencing and cleanup operations. • Tso Moriri Conservation Trust and 20 school nature clubs promote environmental education. • Indian Army has establish a Nature Interpretation Centre in Leh. • Key achievements include the community's 2000 declaration of Tso Moriri as a 'Sacred Gift for a Living Planet' and restrictions on vehicular access through stakeholder consultation. == Issues and threats==

Threats to Tso Moriri's ecosystem include increasing tourist numbers disrupting avifauna breeding, road construction along the shoreline, and pasture degradation impacting marmots, hares and ungulates. Additional pressures come from expanding sheep grazing in wetlands, inadequate garbage disposal, and unleashed dogs preying on cranes and their eggs. Unregulated jeep safaris harass wildlife like kiang and encroach on breeding grounds, compounded by insufficient government monitoring and enforcement. ==See also==