Sarchu
Sarchu (also known as Sir Bhum Chun) is a major halt point with tented accommodation in the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway, on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh in India. It is situated between Baralacha La to the south and Lachulung La to the north, at an altitude of 4,290 m (14,070 ft).[1]
Sarchu | |
|---|---|
City | |
  Sarchu Location in India  Sarchu Sarchu (India) | |
| Coordinates: 32.89°N 77.53°E | |
| Country |  |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Lahaul and Spiti |
| Languages | |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
The journey along the Manali-Leh highway normally takes two days, so travellers and tourists stop overnight here. An Indian army camp is sited nearby on the banks of the Tsarap Chu river. The highway and the camp are closed during the winter, when snow blocks the high passes along the road.
This spot can also be used as a start point for the difficult trek into the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
Boundary dispute
The boundary at Sarchu was disputed between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.[2] There is a pillar on the boundary, and records state that the boundary follows a drainage divide, but operators of seasonal tent accommodations cross the border to get favourable sites.[3]
In 2019, after this part of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into the union territory of Ladakh, there was renewed interest in having the Survey of India mark the border.[3]
References
- "Alphabetical listing of Places in India". fallingrain.com.
- Gaurav Bisht (21 May 2018). "Himachal asks J-K to settle land dispute at Sarchu". Hindustan Times.
Recommendation: Jai Ram govt has suggested that cops from both states should put up police posts on their sides of border.
- Anand Bodh (31 October 2019). "HP CM says boundary dispute with Ladakh would be resolved soon". Times of India.
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