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Startsapuk Tso

Leh & Ladakh

State
Leh & Ladakh
Type
Other

Startsapuk Tso is a freshwater lake (about 438 hectares) adjoining the saline Tso Kar in the Changthang wetland complex of southern Ladakh, forming the northwestern boundary of the Rupshu plateau.

Startsapuk Tso is known for

Ramsar wetland (with Tso Kar)freshwater high-altitude lakeRupshu plateau boundarymigratory bird habitat

A short history

Startsapuk Tso and Tso Kar together were designated India's 42nd Ramsar site in December 2020, recognising the combined complex as a critical high-altitude wetland. [Source: business-standard.com - Ladakh's Startsapuk Tso, Tso Kar lake complex added to list of Ramsar site]

Why Startsapuk Tso matters

As the freshwater counterpart to the saline Tso Kar, Startsapuk Tso is part of a Ramsar-protected wetland system supporting migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.

When to go

June to September

How to reach

Located adjacent to Tso Kar in the Rupshu plateau, reached via the Leh-Manali Highway through Miru, roughly 160-250 km from Leh.

Startsapuk Tso guide & itineraries

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