Kiangs of Tso Kar

The smallest and calmest of all the pristine lakes in Ladakh is the Tso Kar lake situated in the stunningly beautiful Rupshu valley. Surrounded by mountain peaks and fed by glacial streams this pristine saline lake at an altitude of 4660 metres is part of the Tso Kar basin consisting also of one more brakish lake the Startsapuk Tso.

The snow from around the mountains surrounding it melt into it and forms the Tso Kar basin which is home to almost 700 species of plants, 300 species of birds and 33 species of animals. Thus this wetland is a paradise for bird watchers and wild life lovers.

Also known as White Lake , the name derived from the white salt deposits all over the shores of the area, it is home of the Changpa nomads. The small Changpa village consists of a few mud huts with basic amenities. In ancient times they used to export the salt to Tibet but things have changed now with extreme temperature fluctuations from 40°-30°C, there is very less precipitation seen in the form of rain or snow.

The inlets of the lake are a source of non saline water which has given rise to this vast wetland. Floating islands of vegetation are found in spring which dries off in winter. A breeding home to numerous species of birds and animals of whom the most important is the Kiang the largest of the wild asses. These animals have a large head and an average weight of around 250 to 300 kgs and a height of 55 inches. With a blunt muzzle and convex nose they have a deep chestnut coloured coat which takes the hues of darker brown in winter and reddish brown in late summer. This earth toned coat not only gives them a grand look but also provides an excellent camouflage against their natural surroundings . This change in colour is primarily due to the fact that the winter coat is double the length of summer coat which is 1.5 cms long. Kiangs are herbivores and feed on grasses and sedges found in the grassland. During winter when vegetation is scarce they have been seen to survive on shrubs, herbs and even oxytropis roots dug from the ground. They can survive on very less water obtained mainly from the plants they eat. The Kiangs are also good at digging wells at places where they find ground water level to be high. Such holes have been named donkey wells by the locals.

These good looking animals look actually closer to horses than asses other than their tufted tail. Usually they live in herds, though these herds are temporary arrangements and not permanent groupings. Sometimes a single ass can be seen guarding the group after having strayed away from the herd. This single Kiang is often bold enough to face people but falls easy prey to their only predators – the wolf.

Kiangs mate between late July and August and the gestation period is supposed to be 9 to 12 months. The single foal that is born weighs around 35 kgs and are strong enough to walk within hours after birth. They live normally upto 20 years and have been classified as lower risk animals by retaining a healthy number so far.

The region is fascinating for it’s untouched original best with flora and fauna living without human intervention, in this remote high altitude barren plain worth a visit.