Yaya Tso Lake

Table of Contents☰

Why in news?

The Biodiversity Management Committee, the panchayat of Chumathang village, along with the SECURE Himalaya Project recently resolved the issue and declared Yaya Tso Lake a biodiversity heritage site.

Key facts about the Yaya Tso Lake

Lake Yaya Tso is known as a bird’s paradise for its beautiful lake located at an altitude of 4,820 metres in Ladakh.
It is a nesting habitat for a large number of birds and animals, such as the bar-headed goose, black-necked crane and brahminy duck
It is also one of the highest breeding sites of the black-necked crane in India.

What is the Secure Himalaya project?

It is funded by the Global Environment Facility.
It supports the government’s efforts for the conservation of snow leopard and its habitat by developing and implementing a landscape-based approach for Himalayan ecosystems, and addresses key issues of habitat degradation, threatened livelihoods and illegal trade in wildlife.
It was launched in 2017.

Project Landscapes:

Changthang, Ladakh Landscape, Jammu & Kashmir
Lahaul-Pangi and Kinnaur Landscapes,
Gangotri-Govind and Darma-Byans Landscapes,
Khangchendzonga-upper Teesta Valley

Q1)What is a biodiversity heritage site?

Biodiversity Heritage Sites” (BHS) are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity.

Source: Yaya Tso to become Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site