Why in the News?
The Indian Army has installed a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the bank of Pangong lake at an altitude of 14,300 feet, a region that is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the eastern Ladakh sector.
About Pangong Lake (Pangong Tso)
- Its name is derived from the Tibetan term “Pangong Tso,” meaning “high grassland lake.” It is an endorheic (landlocked) lake with no outflow.
- Location & Size:
- Spans 134 km, divided between India (1/3) and the Tibetan Autonomous Region (2/3).
- Situated at an altitude of 4,350 meters, covers 604 sq. km, and is 5 km wide at its broadest point.
- Water & Climate:
- Brackish water that completely freezes in winter.
- The lake’s color shifts with sunlight and weather, displaying shades of blue, green, and red.
- Wildlife: Acts as a breeding ground for Bar-Headed Geese, Brahmini Ducks, and Radix freshwater snails.
- Strategic Importance: Located in the Chushul approach, a key route for potential Chinese offensives, and was a major site of conflict during the 1962 war.
Political Features:
- Border & Control: Lies on the Ladakh-China border, with the Line of Actual Control (LAC) passing through it.
- Contested Terrain: The northern bank is a hotspot due to differing boundary perceptions; China has built roads highlighting the lake’s strategic value.
- 1999 Incident: During Operation Vijay, China constructed a 5-km road inside Indian territory.
- 2020 Standoff:
- Began on May 5, 2020, following a clash in the Pangong Lake area.
- Disengagement on the north and south banks concluded in 2021.
- On October 21, 2024, India and China resolved the final friction points (Demchok, Depsang), ending a four-and-half-year border standoff.
PYQ:[2020] Siachen Glacier is situated to the (a) East of Aksai Chin (b) East of Leh (c) North of Gilgit (d) North of Nubra Valley |
