Image Credits: Swan Tours
With de-escalation talks going on between India and China over the Galway valley, Ladakh authorities have now opened the Pangong lake for tourists. The lake was thrown open to the public from the 10th of January. Tourists intending to visit Pangong Lake should apply for Inner Line Permit (ILP) at DC office Leh near polo-ground.
“The tourists with Covid-19 negative test report, which is not earlier than 72 hours, can visit all public places and destinations across Ladakh without any restrictions. Tourists interested in visiting the lake, upon reaching the airport, will undergo a rapid antigen test following which they need to acclimatise to the weather conditions for no less than 24 hours,” said a senior official while issuing the guidelines regarding the same.
Pangong Lake derives its name from the Tibetan word, “Pangong Tso”, which means “high grassland lake”. Pangong Lake is also known to change colours, appearing blue, green, and red at different times. It is one of the highest altitude lakes in the world that is filled with saline water. The saline water lake freezes completely during winters and also known to change colours at different times.
The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday that both countries have maintained communication to avoid any “misunderstandings and misjudgements” and achieve complete disengagement at all friction areas along the LAC. Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Ladakh has a total Covid caseload of about 9,600 with 127 deaths.