Bulunkul is a shallow, freshwater lake in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, in southeast Tajikistan, about 130 km east of the provincial capital of Khorugh. Lying in the upper Gunt valley of the Pamir Mountains, it has an area of 3900 ha with a maximum depth of 6 m. Dense vegetation covers much of its surface. It is 1.5 km from a similar lake, Yashilkul, both of which are surrounded by other wetlands as well as sand and pebble plains.

Bulunkul
Булункӯл
Image of Bukunkul lake taken from the shoreline, with the Pamir mountains reflecting on the surface of the lake.
Map showing the location of Bulunkul within Tajikistan
Map showing the location of Bulunkul within Tajikistan
Bulunkul
Location in Tajikistan
LocationGorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province
Coordinates37°43′10″N 72°57′20″E / 37.71944°N 72.95556°E / 37.71944; 72.95556[1]
Catchment area179 km2 (69 sq mi)
Basin countriesTajikistan
Surface area3,900 ha (9,600 acres)
Max. depth6 m (20 ft)
Bulunkul Village

It forms part of the Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes and mountains Important Bird Area.[2] The lake was stocked with 37 000 gibel carp in 1967.[3]

The village of Bulunkul is known as one of the coldest inhabited places in Central Asia with a record minimum temperature of -63 degrees Celsius.[4]

The lake and village of Bulunkul are featured in a short environmental film[5] by the United Nations University.

References edit

  1. ^ Google Earth
  2. ^ "Bulunkul and Yashilkul lakes and mountains". Important Bird Areas factsheet. BirdLife International. 2013. Archived from the original on 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  3. ^ Savvaitova and Petr (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes: Asia. Rome: FAO. pp. 168–86.
  4. ^ "Bulunkul: a guide". Caravanistan. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  5. ^ "Tajik Women's Perspectives of Climate Change". United Nations University. 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2014.

External links edit