High altitude Himalayan lakes
The Himalayan region is dotted with hundreds of lakes from low elevation to the high elevations. Many of the lakes of Himalaya are fresh water ones, with or without inflow and out flow. The Himalayan lakes show varying chemistry in terms of solutes, bio-geochemistry, and mineralogy vis-à-vis eco-hydrology of the lakes. These are primarily related to enormous altitude variation governing the climate, vegetation, lithology, tectonics and type and intensity of erosion/ weathering at source. High altitude lakes, apart from their ecological significance, play crucial role in biodiversity, wildlife habitat and socio-economic aspects.