20/11/2013
Flora and Fauna : Chandertal is an important site for migratory bird during summer. Large variety of species is found in the wetland, which includes Snow c**k (Tetraogallus himalayensis), Chukor, Black ring stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), Brahmi ducks (Tadorna ferruginea), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). A large number of mammals are present in the catchment area of the lake like: Snow Leopard, Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Wolf, Ibex, Blue Sheep/Bharal Pseudois nayaur etc. are the common mammals of the area. In addition, to the mammals and birds, the region abounds in various insects during the summer season. The insect fauna consists of spiders, beetles, wingless grasshopper’s butterflies and bugs. The margins of the lake abound in larvae of mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies.The Chandertal Lake supports endangered mammalian species i.e. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), Bobak Marmot (Marmota bobak), Royal’s vole (Alticola roylei), Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica hemalayanus), Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur) mentioned in IUCN Red List and CITES. Chandertal Lake is of special value for its endemic plant and animal communities.  The wetland had been identified as a wetland of national importance in 2005, due to presence of rare plants, variety of animal species and its role in the maintenance of eco biodiversity of the region.   The flora and fauna have specialized morphological and physiological features to counteract the unfavorable effects of the extreme environmental conditions.Geology :Chandertal area is covered by glacial type of soil, which is not fully developed. About 65% of the catchment area is a degraded forest due to glacial action and seasonal grazing by migratory graziers. Herbs and grasses cover rest of 35% of the area. Chandertaal wetland helps the reduction of flood in downstream as water moves into wetland faster than it moves out downstream part of the channel. Wetland also helps in the retention of moisture in the catchments and subsequently in the growth of grasses and herbaceous plants which protect the land against erosion in the summer season.Tourism Impacts : During the tourist season a large number of visitors pollute the water quality of the lake by leaving garbage after camping. This adds toxicity to the marine life (Pisciculture) as the camping spot on the alpine meadow at the northern end drains into the lake. The whole Chandertal and its catchment area are grazed heavily by migratory grazers every year. The combined effect of the visitors and herdsmen contribute to increased siltation and organic influx into the lake. Due to the historical and tourism importance of the lake, the construction of a road was undertaken during 1985- 86. But the road construction was stopped in 2004 but not before it has paved the way to pollution and opened doors to play around with this fragile ecosystem.  The whole catchments of the lake are fragile and susceptible to ecological degradation because of the geology and sparse vegetation. The increased tourism activity has resulted in generation of solid waste and dumping, which would in turn affect the water quality of the lake.
