Pangong Tso and its surrounding basin are part of a highly sensitive, high-altitude ecological zone.
* **Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary:** The lake falls within the bounds of this vast sanctuary. * **Fauna:** The area is famous for sightings of the Himalayan marmot, often seen burrowing in the meadows leading up to the lake. The region also supports the *kiang* (Tibetan wild ass). * **Avifauna:** Despite the lake being largely devoid of aquatic life due to high salinity, the surrounding marshes serve as critical breeding grounds for migratory birds, including the bar-headed goose and the Brahminy duck (ruddy shelduck).
