110
also has many glaciers, notably, Gangotri,
Yamunotri, Pinderi, Kafni, Sunderdhunga, Nakuri,
Milam, Baldhunga, Poling, Balati, etc. There are
also some reservoirs in the province, notably
Nanaksagar, Tumaria, Baigul, Dharua, Haripura,
Tehri, Dhauliganga, Kalagarh, etc.
Study of physico-chemical properties of water
revealed that the water of Kumaon lakes is generally slightly alkaline. There is stratifi cation during
spring and mixing during winter. 83 ichthyospecies belonging to 39 genera, 12 families and 3
orders have been reported from the province. The
fi sh species could be categorised into fi shes with
(a) food value (40 species), (b) ornamental value
(8 species), (c) sport value (5 species) and so on.
Further, the fi shes could be categorised as (a)
native fi shes ( Tor tor , T. putitora , Labeo dyocheilus ,
L. dero , Garra gotyla , etc.) , (b) transplanted fi shes
( Labeo rohita , Catla catla , etc.) and (c) exotic
fi shes ( Hypothalmichthys molitrix , Cyprinus
carpio , etc.). Study revealed that mahseers ( Tor
tor and T. putitora ) generally dominate the catches
in Bheemtal and Naukuchiatal, accounting for c
59.5 and 45.0 %, respectively, of the total catch
during a 5-year period. This was followed by common carp with 34.8 and 31.5 % successively.
Conversely, the common carp accounted for c
22.9 % of the total catch in Sat Tal, where the IMC
recorded 64.1 % of the total catch. The exotic
carps were introduced in Bheemtal during 1985–
1986. The lakes, sometimes, portrayed low yield
mainly due to low fi shing intensity. However, it
has been suggested to stock some of the typical
lakes with juveniles of mahseer, etc .
6.9.1.5 High Altitude Lentic Bodies
of Himachal Pradesh (HP)
There are a large number of HA lakes in HP.
Practically, without exception, they are held
sacred or, at the very least, have fascinating legends merging with their crystal clear waters.
Some of the Lakes in HP Are Briefl y
Discussed Below
Chandratal Lake
The lake Chandra Taal or Chandra Tal (meaning
the Lake of the Moon or the ‘Moon Lake’) (also
spelt as ‘Chandertal ’) lying at 4,270 m MSL,
between 32° 28′ 31″ N and 77° 37′ 01″ E, is
situated 6 km away from the Kunzum Pass, in the
Spiti Valley (part) of the Lahaul and Spiti districts
in HP of the Middle Himalayas in India. The
name of the lake originates from its crescent
shape. Chandra Taal (Plate 6.28 ) is a popular
destination for climbers. The lake has a circumference of c 2.5 km, and it is the source of the
River Chandra. The peaks of the mountain
ranges, namely, Moulkila and Chandrabhaga
with snowcaps and slopes around the valley, rise
up to 3,000–6,300 m. This crystal-clear lake lies
in a broad grassy plain, which, in ancient times,
was a glacier. This landscape goes on for miles
interspersed with lush green meadows and the
sparkling Chandra River down below. The days
are not cold but the temperature drops quickly
after the sunset, and the wind adds its bit. This
lake is generally stocked with brown trout. The
Lake Chandertal has been stocked with brown
trout by the HP State Fisheries Department.
Nako Lake
Nako Lake , lying at 3,662 m MSL, is an HA lake
in the Pooh subdivision of District Kinnaur in HP.
It forms part of the boundary of Nako village.
The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar
trees. There are four Buddhist temples and a
waterfall near the lake.
Suraj Tal or Surya Tal
Suraj Tal (Plate 6.29 ) or Suraj Tal Lake (also
called Surya Taal ), lying at 4,883 m MSL,
Plate 6.28 Chandratal Lake
6 Lakes of the World
also has many glaciers, notably, Gangotri,
Yamunotri, Pinderi, Kafni, Sunderdhunga, Nakuri,
Milam, Baldhunga, Poling, Balati, etc. There are
also some reservoirs in the province, notably
Nanaksagar, Tumaria, Baigul, Dharua, Haripura,
Tehri, Dhauliganga, Kalagarh, etc.
Study of physico-chemical properties of water
revealed that the water of Kumaon lakes is generally slightly alkaline. There is stratifi cation during
spring and mixing during winter. 83 ichthyospecies belonging to 39 genera, 12 families and 3
orders have been reported from the province. The
fi sh species could be categorised into fi shes with
(a) food value (40 species), (b) ornamental value
(8 species), (c) sport value (5 species) and so on.
Further, the fi shes could be categorised as (a)
native fi shes ( Tor tor , T. putitora , Labeo dyocheilus ,
L. dero , Garra gotyla , etc.) , (b) transplanted fi shes
( Labeo rohita , Catla catla , etc.) and (c) exotic
fi shes ( Hypothalmichthys molitrix , Cyprinus
carpio , etc.). Study revealed that mahseers ( Tor
tor and T. putitora ) generally dominate the catches
in Bheemtal and Naukuchiatal, accounting for c
59.5 and 45.0 %, respectively, of the total catch
during a 5-year period. This was followed by common carp with 34.8 and 31.5 % successively.
Conversely, the common carp accounted for c
22.9 % of the total catch in Sat Tal, where the IMC
recorded 64.1 % of the total catch. The exotic
carps were introduced in Bheemtal during 1985–
1986. The lakes, sometimes, portrayed low yield
mainly due to low fi shing intensity. However, it
has been suggested to stock some of the typical
lakes with juveniles of mahseer, etc .
6.9.1.5 High Altitude Lentic Bodies
of Himachal Pradesh (HP)
There are a large number of HA lakes in HP.
Practically, without exception, they are held
sacred or, at the very least, have fascinating legends merging with their crystal clear waters.
Some of the Lakes in HP Are Briefl y
Discussed Below
Chandratal Lake
The lake Chandra Taal or Chandra Tal (meaning
the Lake of the Moon or the ‘Moon Lake’) (also
spelt as ‘Chandertal ’) lying at 4,270 m MSL,
between 32° 28′ 31″ N and 77° 37′ 01″ E, is
situated 6 km away from the Kunzum Pass, in the
Spiti Valley (part) of the Lahaul and Spiti districts
in HP of the Middle Himalayas in India. The
name of the lake originates from its crescent
shape. Chandra Taal (Plate 6.28 ) is a popular
destination for climbers. The lake has a circumference of c 2.5 km, and it is the source of the
River Chandra. The peaks of the mountain
ranges, namely, Moulkila and Chandrabhaga
with snowcaps and slopes around the valley, rise
up to 3,000–6,300 m. This crystal-clear lake lies
in a broad grassy plain, which, in ancient times,
was a glacier. This landscape goes on for miles
interspersed with lush green meadows and the
sparkling Chandra River down below. The days
are not cold but the temperature drops quickly
after the sunset, and the wind adds its bit. This
lake is generally stocked with brown trout. The
Lake Chandertal has been stocked with brown
trout by the HP State Fisheries Department.
Nako Lake
Nako Lake , lying at 3,662 m MSL, is an HA lake
in the Pooh subdivision of District Kinnaur in HP.
It forms part of the boundary of Nako village.
The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar
trees. There are four Buddhist temples and a
waterfall near the lake.
Suraj Tal or Surya Tal
Suraj Tal (Plate 6.29 ) or Suraj Tal Lake (also
called Surya Taal ), lying at 4,883 m MSL,
Plate 6.28 Chandratal Lake
6 Lakes of the World