69
joined to river fed. The premier lakes of Sikkim are
Changu (Tsomgo), Khechodpalri, Gurudongmar,
Cholamu, Memencho, Lampokhari, Samiti,
etc. These lakes also form the source of many
rivers. The main river of Sikkim is ‘Teesta’ (also
spelt ‘Tista’) which originates from Lake
Cholamu. Its main tributary is River Rangeet
(also spelt ‘Rangit’) which originates from
Rathong Glacier and meets Teesta.
In addition, Sikkim has many hot springs
known for their medicinal and therapeutic values.
The most important are the ones located at
Phurchachu (Reshi), Yumthang, Borang, Ralang,
Taram-chu and Yumey Samdung. All these hot
springs have high sulphur content and are located
near the river banks.
The estimated total wetland area of Sikkim is
7,477 ha, which accounts for c 1.05 % of the total
geographic area of the province. Of these, the high
altitude (HA) lakes account for c 40.79 % of the
total wetlands (3,050 ha) and ponds (15 ha). The
HA lakes/wetlands are important for their typical
ecological characters and conservation values. The
wetlands of Sikkim have been classifi ed into three
types based on altitudinal zones, namely, (a) 3,000–
4,000 m MSL altitude zone, 10 wetlands (108 ha);
(b) 4,000–5,000 m MSL, 130 wetlands (920 ha);
and (c) >5,000 m MSL, 119 wetlands (2,022 ha).
Further, most of the lakes in Sikkim are considered as sacred and are revered by the local
people. There are a number of mountain lakes in
North Sikkim plateau adjoining Tibet, out of
which, Gurudongmar and Chho Lamo are signifi cant. Lake Chho Lamo is the source of the
Teesta River , while the so-called sacred
Khecheopalri Lake in West Sikkim lies at the
bifurcation of the route between Gyalshing and
Yuksom . Further, Menmecho Lake , Green Lake ,
Samiti Lake , Lakshmi Pokhari and Bidan Chu
Lake are some of the other lakes of Sikkim.
The local stakeholders now seem to be actively
involved in the conservation of HA lakes in
Sikkim, notably the Changu Lake. This was
possible due to the efforts of WWF (India), who
had embarked upon ambitious projects to conserve the HA lakes of Sikkim involving the local
people. The principal objectives of the WWF
(India) activities were (a) to revitalise the local
community- based institution ‘Tsomgo Lake
Welfare Committee’; (b) to identify site specifi c,
community-based, immediate interventions for
the lakes’ conservation; and so on.
6.1.9.2 HA Lakes of Himachal Pradesh
The province of Himachal Pradesh (HP) is located
at the core of the Himalayan region with icy
mountains, serene and beautiful lakes, dense foliage and adventure sports. The HA lakes account
for c 1 % of its total geographical area. Some
lakes are natural bequests that may well date back
to millions of years to the time when the region
was under a vast sea. Today, they are fed by
streams of pure snowmelt or by groundwater
springs. Practically, without exception, they are
held sacred or, at the very least, have fascinating
legends merging with their crystal clear waters.
6.1.9.3 Classifi cation of Lakes of HP
Based Mainly on Altitude
Low Altitude Lakes
Renuka Lake, Macchial Lake, etc.
Mid Altitude Lakes
Rewalsar Lake, Kareri Lake, Kumarwah Lake,
Khajjiar Lake, etc.
High Altitude Lakes
Prashar Lake, Nako Lake, Chandratal Lake, Suraj
Tal Lake, Dhankar Lake, Dashair Lake,
Brighu Lake, Seruvalsar Lake, Manimahesh
Lake, Ghadhasaru Lake, Mahakali Lake,
Lama Dal and Chander Naun, etc.
Man-Made Reservoirs
Maharana Pratap Sagar, Gobind Sagar and
Pandoh Lake, etc.
Fishing is allowed in some of these lakes and
reservoirs in HP.
HA Lakes of Jammu and Kashmir
The province of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) is
famous for lakes and wetlands of various types at
different altitudes, namely, Dal, Wular, Mansar,
Manasbal, Nagin, Gangabal, Konsernag, Vishansar,
Pangong Tso and Tsomoriri.
A 3-series pattern of classifi cation of high
altitude (HA) Himalayan lakes has been followed
in this account. Accordingly, the HA Himalayan
lakes (including the lakes in J&K ) have been
6.1 Lakes of Tropical Latitudes
joined to river fed. The premier lakes of Sikkim are
Changu (Tsomgo), Khechodpalri, Gurudongmar,
Cholamu, Memencho, Lampokhari, Samiti,
etc. These lakes also form the source of many
rivers. The main river of Sikkim is ‘Teesta’ (also
spelt ‘Tista’) which originates from Lake
Cholamu. Its main tributary is River Rangeet
(also spelt ‘Rangit’) which originates from
Rathong Glacier and meets Teesta.
In addition, Sikkim has many hot springs
known for their medicinal and therapeutic values.
The most important are the ones located at
Phurchachu (Reshi), Yumthang, Borang, Ralang,
Taram-chu and Yumey Samdung. All these hot
springs have high sulphur content and are located
near the river banks.
The estimated total wetland area of Sikkim is
7,477 ha, which accounts for c 1.05 % of the total
geographic area of the province. Of these, the high
altitude (HA) lakes account for c 40.79 % of the
total wetlands (3,050 ha) and ponds (15 ha). The
HA lakes/wetlands are important for their typical
ecological characters and conservation values. The
wetlands of Sikkim have been classifi ed into three
types based on altitudinal zones, namely, (a) 3,000–
4,000 m MSL altitude zone, 10 wetlands (108 ha);
(b) 4,000–5,000 m MSL, 130 wetlands (920 ha);
and (c) >5,000 m MSL, 119 wetlands (2,022 ha).
Further, most of the lakes in Sikkim are considered as sacred and are revered by the local
people. There are a number of mountain lakes in
North Sikkim plateau adjoining Tibet, out of
which, Gurudongmar and Chho Lamo are signifi cant. Lake Chho Lamo is the source of the
Teesta River , while the so-called sacred
Khecheopalri Lake in West Sikkim lies at the
bifurcation of the route between Gyalshing and
Yuksom . Further, Menmecho Lake , Green Lake ,
Samiti Lake , Lakshmi Pokhari and Bidan Chu
Lake are some of the other lakes of Sikkim.
The local stakeholders now seem to be actively
involved in the conservation of HA lakes in
Sikkim, notably the Changu Lake. This was
possible due to the efforts of WWF (India), who
had embarked upon ambitious projects to conserve the HA lakes of Sikkim involving the local
people. The principal objectives of the WWF
(India) activities were (a) to revitalise the local
community- based institution ‘Tsomgo Lake
Welfare Committee’; (b) to identify site specifi c,
community-based, immediate interventions for
the lakes’ conservation; and so on.
6.1.9.2 HA Lakes of Himachal Pradesh
The province of Himachal Pradesh (HP) is located
at the core of the Himalayan region with icy
mountains, serene and beautiful lakes, dense foliage and adventure sports. The HA lakes account
for c 1 % of its total geographical area. Some
lakes are natural bequests that may well date back
to millions of years to the time when the region
was under a vast sea. Today, they are fed by
streams of pure snowmelt or by groundwater
springs. Practically, without exception, they are
held sacred or, at the very least, have fascinating
legends merging with their crystal clear waters.
6.1.9.3 Classifi cation of Lakes of HP
Based Mainly on Altitude
Low Altitude Lakes
Renuka Lake, Macchial Lake, etc.
Mid Altitude Lakes
Rewalsar Lake, Kareri Lake, Kumarwah Lake,
Khajjiar Lake, etc.
High Altitude Lakes
Prashar Lake, Nako Lake, Chandratal Lake, Suraj
Tal Lake, Dhankar Lake, Dashair Lake,
Brighu Lake, Seruvalsar Lake, Manimahesh
Lake, Ghadhasaru Lake, Mahakali Lake,
Lama Dal and Chander Naun, etc.
Man-Made Reservoirs
Maharana Pratap Sagar, Gobind Sagar and
Pandoh Lake, etc.
Fishing is allowed in some of these lakes and
reservoirs in HP.
HA Lakes of Jammu and Kashmir
The province of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) is
famous for lakes and wetlands of various types at
different altitudes, namely, Dal, Wular, Mansar,
Manasbal, Nagin, Gangabal, Konsernag, Vishansar,
Pangong Tso and Tsomoriri.
A 3-series pattern of classifi cation of high
altitude (HA) Himalayan lakes has been followed
in this account. Accordingly, the HA Himalayan
lakes (including the lakes in J&K ) have been
6.1 Lakes of Tropical Latitudes