Skeleton Lake is shrinking; Know how Roopkund Lake is declining due to climate change. (Image: iStock)
roopkund lakeAlso known as Skeleton Lake, due to the presence of hundreds of skeletons, it is bearing the brunt of climate change. Located at an altitude of 5,000 meters in Uttarakhand, Roopkund is a famous trekking destination. Also known as ‘Mysterious Lake’, Roopkund lies in the lap of the Trishul massif. It is encased in ice for most of the year.
While for most of its existence Roopkund lake has worried scientists due to the remains present, the focus has now changed. According to forest officials, Roopkund is shrinking in both depth and width. In recent years there has been more rain and less snow, causing dirt and rocks to slide into the lake. This is what has reduced its size.
For the uninitiated, Roopkund is unique because of the mystery surrounding it – the mystery of hundreds of skeletons. It has intrigued anthropologists for decades. But what is it about?
It all started in 1942 when a ranger at Nanda Devi National Park, Hari Kishan Madhwa, found hundreds of skeletons. He informed the British authorities, who concluded that the casualties are from a hidden Japanese force since it was during the time of World War II.
In complete contradiction to this, much research later revealed that the skeletons were much older. The World War II theory was then discarded.
A study conducted in the 1950s by the Anthropological Survey of India says that the skeletons had head injuries that were possibly caused by something blunt being thrown.
As part of a more recent study, genetic analysis and carbon dating of 38 skeletons was performed. It was later discovered that some of these skeletons date back about 1,200 years. Furthermore, the skeletons were genetically very different and their deaths were separated by up to 1,000 years. He claims that the group of skeletons is made up of two different roots: South Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Despite all these theories, Roopkund has been a fascinating destination for many tourists. Choosing the Roopkund trek is a scenic yet adventurous journey that passes through many exotic locations.
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