Poised at a breathtaking 4,595 metres above sea level, Tso Moriri is a clear lake fed by multiple springs as well as snowmelt that drains into it from the nearby mountains. Of the streams that feed it, the two primary stream systems lie to the north and the south-west. Tso Moriri once had an outlet that drained water away from it, but it has been blocked for several years now. This has led to the water becoming slightly brackish. It may also have caused the lake to spread into its present size--19km in length and 3km in width.
Two major stream systems that flow into it form wetlands at the points of entry. These, according to Ramsar wetlands, “represent oases of productivity in an otherwise arid steppe environment”. In a cold desert area, they provide valuable vegetative cover for wildlife habitats as well as food for both wildlife and livestock.
Tso Moriri is a haven for several species of animals and birds. The primary ones include wild ungulates such as the Tibetan gazelle, great Tibetan sheep and the Tibetan wild ass. Other mammals include Himalayan marmots, three species of mouse hares, hares and voles. The surrounding mountains also host the snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and red fox. The lake is famous for the birds it shelters. Its location makes it an important migratory rest point for an estimated 40 species of birds from six families. The lake is renowned for being the only breeding point in India for the bar-headed goose as well as for the globally threatened black-necked crane.
Providing an opportunity to see rare wildlife by the shores of a crystal-clear lake ringed with snow-clad mountains, Tso Moriri sounds like a traveller's dream.
The tourism season also coincides with the breeding season for waterfowl, threatening the continued survival of these birds. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India also expresses concern over unethical activities such as jeep safaris chasing animals, off roading, and dumping of garbage down animal burrows. Road construction, largely fuelled by tourism needs, affects animal burrows and damages this fragile ecosystem.
Seema Bhatt cautions that this may not be enough. She says, "While it is difficult to do, it is crucial to conduct an assessment of the carrying capacity of the area. Based on this, the number of tourists needs to be limited. And finally, a very strict code of conduct needs to be established and implemented."
Pankaj Chandan of the WWF's Freshwater and Wetlands Programme says, “There is a need to encourage stakeholders to recognise the importance of management plans and to emphasise to the state and central governments (the need) for provisioning of separate funds for the implementation of these plan.” So far, the latter has not happened in the case of Tso Moriri.
With the Wetlands Policy coming up for review, it remains to be seen if Tso Moriri will continue to host the birth of new generations of bar-headed geese.