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.

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