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The Salt Lake Valley is one of the widest open areas in
Rupshu. It can be approached from
Leh across
the Tanglang La pass. The valley has a length of about 20-km and a maximum
width of about 7-km. Its average elevation is 5,000 m.
Habitation Within The Valley
Thuggi is the main settlement of the Salt Lake Valley. There are two
lakes in this valley -- the fresh water Panluk Lake with an area of about
2-sq-kms and the salt-water Tsokar Lake with an area of about 10-sq-kms.
Deposits of impure salt occurring on the northern shore of the Tsokar Lake
are collected by the Changpas and used as barter to obtain goods from
other parts of Ladakh
.
THE PUGA VALLEY
The Puga valley lies at a distance of about 22-km to the east of the Salt
Lake Valley across the Polokonka La pass (5,350 m). It is famous for its
borax and sulphur deposits and hot water springs. However, the deposits
are of little commercial value at present due to the inaccessibility of
this valley and the short working season.
Hundreds of people suffering from ailments like rheumatism and skin
diseases come for a bath in the hot water springs of the Puga Valley.