Pakistan Suffers Another Indus Water Treaty Blow As India Channels Glacier Stream To Restore Ladakh's Tso Kar Lake

Rohit Jandial, Jammu: Pakistan has been dealt another setback regarding the Indus Water Treaty as India has initiated a major water management project in Ladakh. Glacial water that previously flowed into the Indus River and downstream to Pakistan will now be retained within India to revive the drying historic Tso Kar Lake. Launched by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, this initiative is crucial for water security and environmental protection.

Over the past decade, climate change and poor water management caused the lake to lose approximately 70 per cent of its size, shrinking drastically from 11,000 acres down to just 3,200 acres. During a visit on August 10, LG Saxena met with local villagers and inquired about the lake's condition.

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About Tso Kar Lake

Tso Kar is a saltwater lake measuring approximately seven kilometres long and over two kilometres wide, located at an altitude of 14,850 feet. It lies in the Rupshu Valley of Ladakh, east of the Manali-Leh Highway just before the Taglang-La Pass. It is 150 km from Leh and 360 km from Manali.

The area was once a major hub for the local salt trade. However, its rapid drying severely affected nearby pastures and led to a significant drop in migratory bird visits.

Glacial Water Diversion

Under this project, water from the Rupsho Kharnak Glacier, located at an altitude of 18,000 feet, is being channelled directly to Tso Kar Lake, where temperatures average below 10 degrees Celsius in summer and reach minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius in winter.

To keep costs low, the administration used simple earthen channels along natural slopes instead of constructing large concrete structures. Water is being brought through an old channel and a concrete section disused since 1995.

Since September 9, about 20 cusecs of water have been diverted into the primary reservoir, filling it to 20 per cent capacity within four days.

Reservoir Infrastructure

Under the project, three natural reservoirs are used to channel glacier water into the lake. The first reservoir covers approximately 270 acres, the second 24 acres, and the third 10 acres. Check dams fitted with three RCC pipes are constructed at the outlet of each reservoir to regulate water flow and volume levels. The third reservoir sits 400 meters from Tso Kar, pumping water directly into the lake. Officials estimate that fully utilising the glacier water will restore the lake to its original size within a year.

Pashmina Farmers To Benefit

The project will positively impact the livelihoods of local people who depend on Pashmina goat rearing. As the lake shrank, pastures also diminished, forcing many herders to travel 50 to 75 kilometres for fodder.

The lake's revival is expected to regenerate pastureland in the surrounding areas, creating new employment and livelihood opportunities locally.

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Development Of Three New Freshwater Wetlands

The project will develop three new freshwater wetlands with a capacity to store approximately 1,230 million litres of water across the reservoirs. These natural water bodies allow sediment from the glacier to settle, providing relatively clean water to the main lake.

Administrative officials believe the new wetlands will create new habitats for migratory birds. Visible from the Leh-Manali Highway, these water bodies could also develop into new tourist destinations in the future.