Tso Moriri


Tso Moriri or Lake Moriri,, is a pristine high-altitude lake and a Ramsar Wetland Site in the remote Changthang Plateau in the Leh district of the union territory of Ladakh in India. As the largest high-altitude lake entirely within India and Ladakh's Trans-Himalayan region, it spans 26 km north-south and 3-5 km wide. The lake is fed by three primary glacial streams - Karzok Phu, Gyama Phu, and Phirse Phu - which form extensive marshes at their deltas. Though now an endorheic lake due to its blocked southern outlet, Tso Moriri maintains slightly brackish yet palatable waters. Its oligotrophic, alkaline ecosystem supports unique biodiversity. The area gained protection as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, though accessibility remains limited mostly to summer months. Year-round settlements exist only at Karzok village and military outposts along the eastern banks, enduring the extreme high-altitude climate.
The nearest airport is 219 km northwest at Leh City, capital of Ladakh, the nearest rail access will be at Miroo station on the under-construction Bhanupli-Leh line. Road access to Tso Moriri is available from multiple directions: from the north via Sumdo along the via the high-altitude Takling La Tunnel from Spiti Valley; and from the northeast/east via the Hanle-Ryul-Tegazhung-Chumur Road network.

Geography

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. The lake's drainage area could also be categorised as a basin since it is a closed drainage basin that retains water and allows no outflow to other bodies of water such as rivers or oceans. The Tso Moriri lake is 20 to 50 kilometers southeast of the elevated valley of the core Rupshu Valley and falls within the greater Rupshu Plateau and valley area. The lake, with water spread area of, 26 km north-south and 3-5 km wide, is enclosed by several peaks exceeding on both the east and west sides, including Mentok Kangri and Lungser Kangri.
Geologically the Tso Moriri lake is in Ordovician rock. It is bordered by the Salt Valley, Kyago Tso and Puga Valley to the north; while the Tegazhung Plains 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. The primary western inflow comes from Lingdi River, the lake's major tributary, which drains the western catchment before entering Tso Moriri's southern shore. The lake's southern edge opens into a broad, flat valley that connects with - but hydrologically remains separate from - the Pare Chu river. To the south of Tso Moriri lies the Nuro Sumdo wetlands, a boggy area outside the lake's drainage basin that primarily drains into the Pare Chu River system.
Tso Moriri is categorized among the Himalayan lakes based on origin. According to established classification systems, these lakes are divided into four groups, with Tso Moriri belonging to the third category of "remnant lakes" - water bodies that remain from much larger prehistoric lakes. The classification as reported states:

Glacial lakes which are formed in and around glaciers; Structural lakes, formed by folds or faults due to movements in earth’s crust, Remnant lakes which were originally structural but represent the remnants of vast lakes, 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

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

People

, the nomadic migratory shepherds 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 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:
Railway:
Roads:
  • From north, via Sumdo from "Miroo-Puga-Sumdo-Mahe Road" and then travelling south on Sumdo-Karzok Road. See transport to Salt Valley and Tso Moriri.
  • From south, via Kiato from the 125 km long Kiato-Karzok Road through the Takling La Tunnel being constructed by the BRO as fourth alternative route to Ladakh.
  • From northeast and east, near Ryul Tso on Hanle-Ryul-Chumur Road taking the Ryul-Chumur Road towards south, and then taking the west turn near Tegazhung Plains on the Chumur-Tegazhung-Karzok Road to go northwest to Karzok via Charchagan La.
  • 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 of the Planning Commission of the Government of India also reports:

Despite a poor vegetation cover, relatively low standing biomass and high anthropogenic pressure, this area sustains a considerably high livestock population. Steady increase in the livestock population in the area is mainly attributed to influx of nomadic herders from Tibet during recent decades and promotion of Pashmina goat production by the Animal Husbandry Department for fine quality under wool. The herders and AHD officials, in recent years have begun to raise concern over degradation of pastures, resultant shortage of forage, and mass mortality of livestock during severe winters.

Flora

While deeper waters remain barren, Tso Moriri's shallows support Potamogeton spp., with marshes dominated by arid-steppe vegetation including characteristic Caragana, Astragalus, Potamogeton species. The area features characteristic several species of Carex, Primula, Pedicularis, Juncus ''thomsonii and Leontopodium sp. Phytoplankton like Oocystis and diatom Cyclotella'' inhabit the waters, while surrounding pastures sustain domestic livestock.

Fauna

An avifaunal survey of the lake and its adjoining Nuro Sumdo wetland conducted in July 1996 revealed the following facts:
Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve, a Ramsar site, is legally protected with hunting prohibitions enforced by a wildlife checkpoint at Mahe Bridge. Conservation efforts combine scientific research, community engagement, and institutional support:
  • 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.