How have you heard about Tilicho Lake? Well, if you are from outside Asia, then you have a hard time recalling this name unless you are a geologist. If you don't know about it, we are here to give all the information about Tilicho Lake and a newly formed lake, Kajin Sara, that might be the highest lake in the world recorded.
This recently discovered lake is recorded to be at a height of 5200 meters, situated at Singer Kharka of Chame Municipality, Manang, Nepal. As soon this lake came to know, local mountaineers and their teams grouped up to measure Kajin Sara. Per the record, the lake is 15,00 meters long and 600 meters wide, which is yet to be officially verified.
Kajin Sara
Yes, you read it right, Kajin Sara is the one, who placed itself on the first place of the highest lake ever found in the lap of mountains. You will be amazed to know the story behind the entire journey to find astonishing has been. While a group of mountaineers, were enjoying their panoramic views of mountains in Manang District, they stumbled on the big trail of water, pouring down the hill.
Upon flowing the trail, they were amazed at what they saw. Right in front of them, there was a beautiful blue glacier lake water with sparkling water, giving an experience of thousands of diamonds sparkling together. This recently discovered lake is recorded to be at a height of 5200 meters, situated at Singer Kharka of Chame Municipality, Manang, Nepal.
As soon as this lake came to know, local mountaineers and their teams grouped up to measure Kajin Sara. Per the record, the lake is 15,00 meters long and 600 meters wide, which is yet to be officially verified. Upon reading all the information, you will get curious about how this lake formed. Nepal, the heavenly country, is gifted with fourteen highest mountains, including Mount Everest, and it will be no crime to tag this democratic country as “country of mountains.”
When to visit Kajin Sara?
On further research, Kajin Sara is said to have created out of water melted from the Himalayas. Visitors can reach after 18 hours of trek from Manang District headquarters, Chame. It will be no surprise if mountaineers will find another lake in the next higher altitude. If you are planning to visit between July and November, then it will be the best period for you.
The weather up in Chame will be great, and you can get crystal clear view of dozens of peaks towards the north. These mountains include Mt Manaslu to the east, Mt Damodar to the west, Mt Peri in the north, Mt Annapurna, and Lamjung to the south.
Tilicho Lake
Previously owned title of the world’s highest lake, Tilicho is located in the same district as Kajin Sara with an altitude of 4,919 m. It lies on the Annapurna Circuit(one of the best tourist trekking routes). And there are some interesting facts about this very lake. On the research conducted by the Nepalese Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal, there is no aquatic organism in Tilicho Lake. It is quite understandable as plants in this altitude can barely survive.
On the other side, it carried the religious beliefs and believed to be a sacred lake. Mythologically, Tilicho Lakes is the ancient Kak Bhusundi Lake mentioned in the epic Ramayana. Ramayana was first narrated to Garuda(kings of birds in Hindu Religion) at Tilicho. Not only that, the panoramic views of its landmark makes it one of the favorite destinations. Ranging from Besisahar to Annapurna Circuit route, it offers the majestic view of Himal Chuli and Manaslu to the east.
For nature lovers, Tilicho Lake has a lot to offer with astonishing views of mountains, lakes, sensational experience of trekking, and gives you reasons to come back. On the way back, the trail goes back to Yak Kharka, and if you are interested, you can visit the sacred Hindu temple Muktinath and return to Jomsom.
How are mountains lakes formed?
You have read our article, and you might be wondering how the lakes form in the mountains regions. Well, for you, the only answer might be the melting down of the glaciers or water melted from mountains. The process of it is more than you have assumed.
Lakes forms because of receding of glaciers, plate tectonics, volcanism, meandering rivers or other natural calamities. But most of the lakes are formed due to glaciers receding for the last ice age 18,000 years ago. And you won’t believe it will take years to happen so. On the other side, the lakes can be formed because of the tectonic movements.
Lake Baikal, situated in eastern Russia, is one great example of it. Others include Lakes Tanganyika, Malawi, Turkana, Mobutu, Magadi, Navisaha, and Nafion. Lakes created by volcanic activity are relatively small and can be formed with the crater of an active but quiet volcano. In general, it is formed by the collapse and expansion of an underground magma chamber.
Threats to Lakes
Kajin Sara and Tilicho Lake, although being the world’s highest lake in Nepal, there are not many tourists visiting this place. We know how mass tourism destroys the habits and eco-system of the natural environment and is very disappointing to the economic and cultural aspects of the nation. One of the great examples of it can be Africa's one of the most massive water bodies, Lake Chad. The lake is slowing being destroyed of climate change and overuse of water resources, habitat, and vegetation.
The lake’s water has shrunk massive of 90%, compared to the 1960s. Decades of human projects have changed the climate that has to lead to a loss of one hundred billion gallons of water, and today, the lakes are disappearing faster than ever. So what’s the reason behind it? The disappearance of lakes directly links to the rise in water extraction to meet the needs of agriculture and the growing water thirst population. In the regions where there is loosing of the lakes, the wiser water management might help slow down the shrinking of the lake. For the warming lakes, hard engineering like dredging channels and building dams can be the last option.
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