Rama Lake ( ur, راما سر جھیل) is a
lake
A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...
located near
Astore in
Gilgit−Baltistan,
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...
. It is situated within the
Astore Valley
The Astore Valley (; el. ) is a valley located in the Astore District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
History
According to '' The Imperial Gazetteer of India'', around 1600:
See also
* Nasirabad (Hunza)
* Rupal Valley
* Tarishing
* Nanga ...
, which has a light covering of
oak trees
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ''L ...
and other greenery. , the region has been greatly affected by the loss of
forest cover
Forest cover is the amount of forest that covers a particular area of land. It may be measured as relative (in percent) or absolute (in square kilometres/square miles). Around a third of the world's surface is covered with forest, with closed-canop ...
, low average rainfall and low vegetation, due in part to widespread
illegal logging
Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corruption, corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission, o ...
practices in the valley.
Location
On the way to Rama Lake, from
Astore Valley
A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams ove ...
, there are three small
lake
A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...
s called
Sarot in the local
Shina language
Language is a structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary. Languages are the primary means by which humans communicate, and may be conveyed through a variety of ...
.
Before 2005,
Astore was a
Tehsil
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administ ...
of
District Diamir, the 5th District of
Gilgit−Baltistan. Now Astore has been upgraded to a District.
There are more than 50 small villages surrounding the area in Astore, such as
Chilm, Bubin, Gorikot, Eid Ghah, Fena, Bulen,
Choungrah, and
Parishing.
Rama Valley
Rama Valley is thickly forested with huge pine, cedar, fir and juniper trees. The valley is about 3300 meters (10800 feet) above sea level and thus is snow covered for 7–8 months of the year. In summer, it becomes lush green; conditions favored by local shepherds.
From here one can trek to east side of the
Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat ( ur, ) (; ), known locally as Diamer () which means “king of the mountains”, is the ninth-highest mountain on Earth, its summit at above sea level. Lying immediately southeast of the northernmost bend of the Indus River in ...
, the world's 9th highest mountain.
Accessibility
Lake Rama is near
Astore village. On KKH after passing the exit for Fairy Meadows keep driving for about another 20 minutes. When you come across the sign for Astore turn right there, keep going for another 2–3 hours. You will arrive at the village of Astore. The valley is popular for camping in the summers. Road towards Rama meadow has now been cemented and tourists can reach there without undue difficulty, however there is an hour and half trek to Rama Lake.
Location Edit
On the way to Rama Lake, from Astore Valley, there are three small lakes called Sarot in the local Shina language.
Before 2005, Astore was a Tehsil of District Diamir, the 5th District of Gilgit−Baltistan. Now Astore has been upgraded to a District.
There are more than 50 small villages surrounding the area in Astore, such as Chilm, Bubin, Gorikot, Eid Ghah, Fena, Bulen,
Demographics
Rama Lake is Located in
Choungrah and the people of Choungrah are called
Choungroch.
See also
*
Rama
Rama (; ), Ram, Raman or Ramar, also known as Ramachandra (; , ), is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular '' avatars'' of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Bein ...
External links
Lakes of Gilgit-Baltistan
Astore District
{{Gilgit-Baltistan Lake Stub