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

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.

External links

Lakes of Gilgit-Baltistan Astore District {{Gilgit-Baltistan Lake Stub