Chandra Taal

2021-09-22T13:26:23Z

2409:4053:2E8D:E45D:71B0:FB85:EDD:76B5:

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox lake
| name = Chandra Taal
| image = Chandratal 1.JPG
| alt = View of Chandra Taal lake
| caption =
| pushpin_map = India Himachal Pradesh
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Chandra Taal lake within Himachal Pradesh
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Western [[Himalaya]], [[Lahaul Valley]], [[Himachal Pradesh]],
| coords = {{coord|32.47518|N|77.61706|E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type = Sweet Water Lake
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = India
| length = {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="hplahaulspiti"/>
| width = {{convert|0.5|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="hplahaulspiti"/>
| area =
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|4250|m|abbr=on}}
| frozen =
| islands = 1
| cities =
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Chandertal Wetland
| designation1_date = 8 November 2005
| designation1_number = 1569<ref name="Ramsar">{{Cite web|title=Chandertal Wetland|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1569|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
}}

'''Tso Chigma or Chandra Taal''' (meaning the ''Lake of the Moon''), or '''Chandra Tal''' is a lake in the [[Lahaul valley|Lahaul]] part of the [[Lahul and Spiti]] district of [[Himachal Pradesh]] ([[India]]).<ref name="hplahaulspiti"/> Chandra Taal is near the source of the Chandra River. Despite the rugged and inhospitable surroundings, it is in a protected niche with some flowers and wildlife in summer. It is a favourite spot for tourists and high-altitude trekkers. It is usually associated with Spiti, but geographically is a part of Lahaul. Kunzum La separates Lahaul and Spiti valleys.

==Description==
Chandra Taal lake is on the ''Samudra Tapu'' plateau, which overlooks Chandra river (a source river of the [[Chenab]]). The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. It is at an altitude of about {{convert|4300|m}} in the [[Himalayas]].<ref name="hplahaulspiti">{{cite web | url=http://himachal.nic.in/index1.php?lang=1&dpt_id=215&level=2&sublinkid=9382&lid=9762#Chandrataal | title=Official Website of Lahaul & Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh, India | publisher=Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti | access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref> Mountains of [[scree]] overlook the lake on one side, and a [[Cirque (landform)|cirque]] encloses it on the other.

==Access==
[[File:Approaching Chandrataal.jpg|thumb|left|Foot path to Chandra Taal, Aug 2016]]
Chandra Taal is a tourist destination for trekkers and campers. The lake is accessible by road from Batal and by road as well as on foot from [[Kunzum Pass]] from late May to early October. The road to Chandra Taal branches off from [[National Highway 505 (India)|NH-505]] about {{convert|2.9|km|mi}} from Batal and {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Kunzum Pass.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=graphhopper_car&route=32.37336%2C77.61564%3B32.46748%2C77.61583#map=12/32.4245/77.6265&layers=C|title=Route from NH-505 to Chandra Taal|website=OpenStreetMap.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-09-26}}</ref> This {{convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} motor road runs as far as a parking lot {{convert|1|km|mi}} from the lake. One has to travel on foot for the final 1 kilometre{{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}}. It takes approximately two hours from Kunzum Pass to Chandra Taal. Chandra Taal is also accessible from [[Suraj Tal]], {{convert|30|km|abbr=on}} away.

==Fauna and Flora==
[[File:Beauty of Chandratal Lake 03.jpg|thumb|left|Herd of sheep passing the lake, Jul 2016]]
There are vast meadows on the banks of the lake. During springtime, these meadows are carpeted with hundreds of varieties of wild flowers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.darter.in/chandratal-lake-photographs/|title=Photographs of Chandratal Lake, Lahaul & Spiti Himalayas|date=2014-06-20|website=Darter Photography|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> In 1871, Harcourt, Assistant Commissioner of Kullu, reported that there was a plain of good grass to the north of Chadra Taal, where shepherds brought large herds for grazing from Kullu and Kangra.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Harcourt|first=A.F.P.|title=The Himalayan Districts of Kooloo, Lahoul and Spiti|publisher=W.H. Allen & Sons|year=1871|location=London|pages=16-21}}</ref> Due to overgrazing, the grasslands are now degraded.<ref name="Ramsar" />

[[File:Ruddy Shelduck Chandratal Spiti Himachal Jun18 D72 7911.jpg|thumb|right|Ruddy (Brahminy) shelduck, Jun 2018]]
Chandra Taal is home to a few species such as the Snow Leopard, Snow Cock, Chukor, Black Ring Stilt, Kestrel, Golden Eagle, Chough, Red Fox, Himalayan Ibex, and Blue Sheep. Over time, these species have adapted to the cold arid climate, intense radiation, and oxygen deficiency by developing special physiological features. Migratory species such as the [[Ruddy shelduck]] are found in summer.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ali|first=Salim|title=The Book of Indian Birds|collaboration=Bombay Natural History Society|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2012|isbn=0195665236|edition=13th|pages=83}}</ref>

==Other details==
The lake is one of two high-altitude wetlands of India which have been designated as [[Ramsar sites]]. Tourism seems to be having its effect on this pristine hidden paradise.<ref name="Ramsar" />

Tent accommodation is available {{convert|5|km|mi}} from the lake.

==Gallery==
<gallery heights="160px" widths="180px" mode="nolines">
File:Chander Taal Wildlife Sanctuary sign. Lahul & Spiti.jpg|thumb|Chander Taal Wildlife Sanctuary sign. [[Lahaul & Spiti]].
File:Chandratal.JPG|View of Chandra Taal, 2008
File:Chandrataal-splendour.jpg|Chandra Taal
File:Chandrtaal Sunset.JPG|Chandra Taal reflecting evening sun
File:Chandratal July 2017.jpg|Footpath around the lake, Jul 2017
File:ChandraTaal Ruddy Shelduck Wildflowers Jun18 D72 7932.jpg|Ruddy shelduck & wildflowers, Jun 2018
File:ChandraTaal Wildflowers Jun18 D72 7961.jpg|Wildflowers, Jun 2018
File:ChandraTaal Grass Flowers Jun18 D72 7973.jpg|Grass flowers by the lake, Jun 2018
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Himachal_Pradesh/Chandra_Tal/ Chandra Taal photos on Trek Earth]
*[http://www.stikage.com/map_baralacha.htm Trekking map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722034058/http://www.stikage.com/map_baralacha.htm |date=22 July 2011 }}
*[https://thesecretarticles.com/trekking/ Hampta Pass Chandratal Trek]
{{Lahaul and Spiti}}
{{Ramsar sites in India}}

[[Category:Lakes of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Cirques]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Glacial lakes of India]]
[[Category:Geography of Lahaul and Spiti district]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in India]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2005]]

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Chandra Taal