Roopkund Lake

About Roopkund Lake:

• Roopkund, also known as the " lake of skeletons” is a glacial lake in Uttarakhand.
• It is situated at 16,500 feet above sea level at the base of Mt. Trishul in the Garhwal Himalayas.
• Measuring a mere 130 feet in width, the lake is encased in ice for the majority of the year.
• It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush green meadows.
• Mystery:
  • It is called the "lake of skeletons" as the glacial body conceals numbers of human skeletons, some with preserved flesh. These skeletons become visible when snow melts in the region.
  • These skeletal remains, dating back to around the 9th century AD, have led to various theories about the cause of death.
  • A 2019 study by scientists from India, the US, and Germany challenged the belief that the skeletons belonged to a single group that perished in a single event, instead suggesting they were genetically diverse individuals who died over a span of up to 1,000 years. 

Q1: What is Garhwal Himalayas?

The Garhwal Himalayas are mountain ranges located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The mountain ranges comprise two regions: Garhwal Kingdom and Kumaon Kingdom. This range is also a part of Himalaya Shivalik Hills, the outermost hills of the Himalaya located in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Source: Uttarakhand’s ‘skeleton lake’ Roopkund shrinking due to climate change?