Why in news
Questioning the Union government over reports that China has built a bridge connecting the north and south banks of the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the government should take Parliament into confidence over the situation
Pangong Lake
Pangong Tso is a 135-km long landlocked lake located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet above sea level in Ladakh
The lake, a glacial melt, has mountain spurs of the Chang Chenmo range jetting down, referred to as fingers.
The fingers of Pangong Tso are numbered from 1 to 8
It is one of the highest altitude lakes in the world that is filled with saline water
However, even though it is a saline water lake, Pangong Tso freezes completely
Very low micro-vegetation.
No aquatic life or fish, except crustaceans during winters are found
Popular for its changing colour ability
Indian and China have around one-third and two-thirds of Pangong Tso Lake respectively.
India has around 45 km of Pangong Tso under its control.
The eastern end of Pangong Tso lies in Tibet
Border Dispute at Pangong Tso
India claims control over the lake until Finger 4 but believes its territory extends up to Finger 8.
The north bank, where the fingers are located, has been the center of clashes and tensions between the two countries.
Indian troops are stationed near Finger 3, while the Chinese have a base east of Finger 8, claiming territory up to Finger 2.
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