Chandra Taal
{{Short description|Lake in Himachal Pradesh, India}}
{{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|1.76|km|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|0.41|km|abbr=on}}
| area = {{convert|0.488|km2|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|23.9|ft|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|139.4|ft|abbr=on}}
| volume = {{convert|886.85|acre|abbr=on}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|4250|m|abbr=on}}
| frozen = December-March
| islands = 1
| cities =
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Chandertal Wetland
| designation1_date = 8 November 2005
| designation1_number = 1569{{Cite web|title=Chandertal Wetland|website=Ramsar Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1569|access-date=25 April 2018}}}}
}}
Chandra Taal ({{lit|moon lake}}) is a lake in the upper Chandra valley of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. [https://rmjin.com/chandratal-lake/ 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, although geographically it lies in the watershed of the Chandra River of Lahaul. Kunzum La separates Lahaul and Spiti valleys.
Description
Chandra Taal Lake is on the Samudra Tapu plateau, which overlooks the 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.{{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}} Mountains of scree overlook the lake on one side, and a cirque encloses it on the other.
Access
File:Approaching Chandrataal.jpg
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 NH-505 about {{convert|2.9|km|mi}} from Batal and {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Kunzum Pass.{{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}} 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 {{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
There are vast meadows on the banks of the lake. During springtime, these meadows are carpeted with hundreds of varieties of wild flowers.{{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}} 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.{{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}} Due to overgrazing, the grasslands are now degraded.
File:Ruddy Shelduck Chandratal Spiti Himachal Jun18 D72 7911.jpg
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.{{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}}
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.
Gallery
File:Chander Taal Wildlife Sanctuary sign. Lahul & Spiti.jpg|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
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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513101413/http://thesecretarticles.com/trekking/ |date=13 May 2020 }}
{{Lahaul and Spiti}}
{{Ramsar sites in India}}
Category:Lakes of Himachal Pradesh
Category:Hiking trails in Himachal Pradesh
Category:Glacial lakes of India
Category:Geography of Lahaul and Spiti district