Roopkund Lake

Source: This post on Roopkund Lake has been created based on the article “Uttarakhand’s ‘skeleton lake’ Roopkund shrinking due to climate change?” published in Times of India on 17^th October 2024.

Why in news?

Climate change is leading to the annual shrinking of Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand.

About Roopkund Lake

1. Location: Roopkund Lake is situated at an altitude of approximately 5,029 meters (16,499 feet) in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India, within the Himalayas.

2. The lake is commonly referred to as the “Skeleton Lake” due to the hundreds of ancient human skeletons found around its edges.

3. Roopkund is a shallow, high-altitude lake, typically around 2 meters (6.5 feet) deep, although its size fluctuates with seasonal melting and freezing.

4. Roopkund is a glacial lake, meaning it was formed by glacial activities, with crystal-clear water revealing the bones during the summer months when the ice melts.

5. The skeletal remains around Roopkund Lake date back to the 9th century CE, believed to be from a group of travelers or pilgrims. Studies suggest they died due to a sudden hailstorm.

6. The lake’s mysterious skeletons were first reported by a forest ranger in 1942, which led to various studies and speculations about their origins.

7.  Recent DNA analysis has shown that the skeletons belong to two distinct groups: one with ancestry similar to people from South Asia, and the other group likely from the Mediterranean region.

8. Geo-chemical analysis of the lake’s boulders offers insights into weather extremes from thousands of years ago, making it a valuable source of historical and climatic information that should be preserved.

9. Cultural Significance: The lake holds cultural importance for the local communities, who believe it is associated with Goddess Nanda Devi. A Nanda Devi Raj Jat pilgrimage occurs every 12 years, during which devotees travel through this region.

UPSC Syllabus: Geography