54
R. Chettri et al.
Location: West Sikkim
Coordinates: 27°20 57 N - 88°11 07
Maximum length: 0.45 km (0.28 miles)
Maximum width: 0.28 km (0.174 miles)
Surface area: 8.28 hectares (20.46 acres)
Surface elevation: 1798 m (5899 ft)
Fig. 4 Kheceopalri lake. Source Google Images
Location: West Sikkim
Coordinates: 27°22'17" N - 88°13'18" N
Maximum length: 0.13 km (0.08 miles)
Maximum width: 0.09 km (0.056 miles)
Surface area: 0.75 hectares (1.85 acres)
Surface elevation: 1735 m (5692 ft)
Fig. 5 Karthok lake. Source Google Images
local people, particularly Buddhists for religious activities. The lake is inhabited by
phytoplankton, zooplankton and microbial organisms besides different varieties of
fishes.
This sacred lake is also association with legends that birds and swans safeguard
this celestial lake from intruders and even take away the fallen leaves from the lake
surface.
Karthok Lake: One among the sacred lakes of Sikkim, the Karthok lake (Fig. 5) is
known to be the most appealing and serene lakes in the state.
The lake is located at Yuksom in the West District of Sikkim. It is elliptical in
shape and is surrounded by green pastures and pine forest. The Buddhist community
considers this a holy lake and use its water for religious purpose. This is said and
believed that any wish made beside this lake with a pure heart never goes unheard
by the Gods.
Menmecho Lake: Menmecho lake is a natural mountain lake located in East District
near the Jelepla Pass. The lake serves as the source of river Rangpo-chu, a tributary
of Teesta River. The lake is fed by melting snow in the summer and by the south-west
monsoon rainfall in the rainy season. Like most other lakes in Sikkim, Menmecho
lake is also located in a valley surrounded by forested hills (Fig. 6).
The lake is located at an altitude of 3810 m above the mean sea level and remains
snow covered in the winter. The lake is inhabited by different fish species including
trout. In fact, tourists across the globe throng to this lake to enjoy the sport of fishing.
Elephant Lake (Kupup lake): The Elephant lake at Kupup (Fig. 7) rests at an altitude
of 3983 m, on the way to Jelepla Pass bordering China. The lake got such a name as
shape of the lake resembles an elephant trunk.
R. Chettri et al.
Location: West Sikkim
Coordinates: 27°20 57 N - 88°11 07
Maximum length: 0.45 km (0.28 miles)
Maximum width: 0.28 km (0.174 miles)
Surface area: 8.28 hectares (20.46 acres)
Surface elevation: 1798 m (5899 ft)
Fig. 4 Kheceopalri lake. Source Google Images
Location: West Sikkim
Coordinates: 27°22'17" N - 88°13'18" N
Maximum length: 0.13 km (0.08 miles)
Maximum width: 0.09 km (0.056 miles)
Surface area: 0.75 hectares (1.85 acres)
Surface elevation: 1735 m (5692 ft)
Fig. 5 Karthok lake. Source Google Images
local people, particularly Buddhists for religious activities. The lake is inhabited by
phytoplankton, zooplankton and microbial organisms besides different varieties of
fishes.
This sacred lake is also association with legends that birds and swans safeguard
this celestial lake from intruders and even take away the fallen leaves from the lake
surface.
Karthok Lake: One among the sacred lakes of Sikkim, the Karthok lake (Fig. 5) is
known to be the most appealing and serene lakes in the state.
The lake is located at Yuksom in the West District of Sikkim. It is elliptical in
shape and is surrounded by green pastures and pine forest. The Buddhist community
considers this a holy lake and use its water for religious purpose. This is said and
believed that any wish made beside this lake with a pure heart never goes unheard
by the Gods.
Menmecho Lake: Menmecho lake is a natural mountain lake located in East District
near the Jelepla Pass. The lake serves as the source of river Rangpo-chu, a tributary
of Teesta River. The lake is fed by melting snow in the summer and by the south-west
monsoon rainfall in the rainy season. Like most other lakes in Sikkim, Menmecho
lake is also located in a valley surrounded by forested hills (Fig. 6).
The lake is located at an altitude of 3810 m above the mean sea level and remains
snow covered in the winter. The lake is inhabited by different fish species including
trout. In fact, tourists across the globe throng to this lake to enjoy the sport of fishing.
Elephant Lake (Kupup lake): The Elephant lake at Kupup (Fig. 7) rests at an altitude
of 3983 m, on the way to Jelepla Pass bordering China. The lake got such a name as
shape of the lake resembles an elephant trunk.