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In the high altitudes of Ladakh state in India is the brackish Lake Tsomoriri. The country has given the spot the official name of Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. It is the largest brackish and high altitude lake in the country.

The lake is recognized under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty that selects and offers protection, conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands areas that may fall victim to encroachment in the present or future and also recognizes these selected areas as unique and in need of preservation. There are many countries that have agreed to follow the recognition of the Convention and India is one of them. The Convention has pointed out Lake Tsomoriri because of its unique flora and fauna, most of which is endemic to the region, because it provides a stable breeding environment to several species of endangered or troubled birds and because it provides one of the few water sources in the desert area, meaning that many species rely upon it for their existence.

For these reasons alone the Lake should be recognized and protected, but it also has some significance in human history. It is currently home to one of the oldest human settlements in the world. The Korzok monastery sits on a western bank of Lake Tsomoriri as it has done for thousands of year. The monastery has served to preserve the cultural and religious heritage of the region, and each year plays host to a two day festival that sees nomadic herdsman, pilgrims from all over the world and many spiritual leaders in attendance.

The area is tremendously important on a global scale as well as an ecological and historic level. This is the main reason that visitors will require a permit to visit the Lake. This should not be viewed as a ridiculous inconvenience, or as unnecessary “red tape”, but instead as a wise and responsible choice of the government agencies involved in maintaining the area. Currently they are managing several issues that could pose problems for the delicate balance of the lake, including an increasing number of tourists, construction of improved roads, increased numbers of grazing sheep, poor sanitary facilities, and increased traffic which can endanger some of the native species.

The astonishing beauty of Lake Tsomoriri must be enjoyed in person, and if a visitor would like to see it for themselves they should make the necessary request in advance. It is a natural wonder of India and holds a place of spiritual significance to the many pilgrims and visitors who make a journey to its magical shores.

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