Government of India- 169 views
The Sacred Goddess Lake - Tso Lhamo
The Tso Lhamo Lake is located in the trans-Himalayan region of Northern Sikkim. The lake and its surrounding ecosystem were studied for the first time in 1874 by British botanist and explorer, Joseph Dalton Hooker who referred to it as the ‘Cholamoo’ Lake. This glacial, freshwater lake is located north-east of the Kanchendzonga range and is fed by the waters of the Zemu and Kangtse glaciers.
A sketch of the Tso Lhamo Lake as seen from the top of Donkia Pass, looking northwest, published in Dalton Hooker’s Himalayan Journals. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Tso Lhamo Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is situated at a height of around 20,300 feet, atop a high plateau that is connected to the Tibetan plateau. The glacial waters traverse through the Chopta valley and Thangu valley before draining into the main lake. Tso Lhamo is the source of the Teesta river that flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal.
The Teesta River originates from the Tso Lhamo Lake and travels through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The lake and its adjacent areas are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some rare and endangered animals that populate the region include Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass), Tibetan antelopes, Tibetan gazelles, Pallas’s cat, Tibetan argali, and Ungulates, among others. The rich biodiversity of this ecological zone allows the local tribal population to rely on the lake and its adjacent areas for livestock rearing. One such example of sustainable cohabitation with nature is the lifestyle of the Dokpa tribe. Living near the lake area as pastoralists for several generations, they rely on the forage resources of the region to feed their livestock that consist of yaks and sheep, while they are themselves reliant on other natural resources for their daily sustenance.
The yak is a crucial livestock animal of Sikkim. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Significantly enough, many natural lakes in Sikkim are considered sacred by the local communities of the state. They are often considered to be the holy abodes of local guardian spirits—devas, yakshas, nagas and nymphs, while several others are associated with Tantric deities. The sacred Sikkimese scripture, Ney-sol Pecha refers to 109 Holy Lakes (Tso Chen) that were once present in the region. However, over the centuries, due to new political developments and demarcations, several of these lakes are currently located in Nepal and the China-Tibet territories, while some remain in India. One such sacred lake is the Tso Lhamo Lake. It is venerated by the inhabitants, especially the yak herders who worship the lake as a ‘Goddess Lake’ (‘Tso’ means Lake, while ‘Lhamo’ means Goddess). The lake is thus, at the heart of the socio-cultural and spiritual world of the local tribes.
The Tso Lhamo Lake. Image Source: Sikkim State Tourism Board
Bound by snow-clad mountains, the Tso Lhamo Lake is geo-strategically important for India due to its close proximity to the Sino-Indian border. It lies roughly 4 kms south-west of the border area and is heavily patrolled by the Indian army. The presence of the armed forces has resulted in a rapid development of infrastructure with newly built roads and military cantonments emerging in the region. However, such initiatives also raise concerns about the ecological balance of the fragile ecosystem of the area.
Tibetan Gazelles are a rare faunal species found in the Tso Lhamo Lake area. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nestled in the trans-Himalayan region, the Tso Lhamo Lake is thus, not only a crucial geo-strategic site, but also a treasured natural heritage. It represents a delicate harmony between humans and nature. The region holds immense potential for tourism, but any development must be approached cautiously, keeping in mind the vulnerability of the rare flora and fauna, and the well-being of the tribal communities inhabiting the neighbouring regions.
Recognizing the ongoing need to position itself for the digital future, Indian Culture is an initiative by the Ministry of Culture. A platform that hosts data of cultural relevance from various repositories and institutions all over India.