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Kupup Lake, also known as Bitan Cho or Elephant Lake, is captured amidst ice, clouds, and fog in Kupup Valley, Sikkim, India, on April 17, 2026. The high-altitude glacial lake, situated at approximately 13,066 feet near Jelep La Pass in East Sikkim, is part of the Old Silk Route loop near the India-China border and is often frozen from winter through mid-May. It is shaped like a reclining elephant, which gives it the nickname "Elephant Lake." The Himalayas, often called the “Water Tower of Asia,” supply water to rivers that support nearly 2 billion people. However, new findings show that climate warming is threatening these river systems. Kupup Lake is considered a source of the Dichu River, a feeder of the Jaldhaka River, connecting to the Teesta basin. The area is known for its serene landscape and proximity to snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Kupup is one of the highest villages in the region and was a recognized transit point during the silk trade between India and Tibet.
Kupup Lake, also known as Bitan Cho or Elephant Lake, is captured amidst ice, clouds, and fog in Kupup Valley, Sikkim, India, on April 17, 2026. The high-altitude glacial lake, situated at approximately 13,066 feet near Jelep La Pass in East Sikkim, is part of the Old Silk Route loop near the India-China border and is often frozen from winter through mid-May. It is shaped like a reclining elephant, which gives it the nickname "Elephant Lake." The Himalayas, often called the “Water Tower of Asia,” supply water to rivers that support nearly 2 billion people. However, new findings show that climate warming is threatening these river systems. Kupup Lake is considered a source of the Dichu River, a feeder of the Jaldhaka River, connecting to the Teesta basin. The area is known for its serene landscape and proximity to snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Kupup is one of the highest villages in the region and was a recognized transit point during the silk trade between India and Tibet.
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