Tso Kar
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Overview
Tso Kar in Leh district, at about 4,541 m, is a high-altitude Ladakh lake and a Ramsar site.
It is a complex of a freshwater lake, Startsapuk Tso, and the saline Tso Kar in Ladakh at about 4,500 m.
The area is a breeding ground for the black-necked crane.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2020.
The wetland lies in the Rupshu plateau south of Leh.
Salt was once collected from the lake shore by local nomads.
It is an important stopover on the Central Asian Flyway.
The high-altitude setting makes the wetland fragile to grazing and tourism.
Geography and key facts
- Ladakh
- About 4,541 m
- Ramsar site
- Startsapuk Tso
- Black-necked crane
- Ramsar site 2020
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on wetlands.
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Ladakh.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Tso Kar yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Ladakh
- Coordinates
- 33.300°N, 77.983°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)