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Yaya Tso Lake

Recently, Yaya Tso Lake was declared Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site under the Biological Diversity Act.

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.