India Adds Standardized Names for 28 Ladakh Features

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs said on October 2 that the government, in consultation with the Ladakh administration, had identified 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh by standardized names for inclusion on the Survey of India map. The ministry said the exercise was intended to support accurate recognition and increase public awareness of the locations. The listed features include peaks, mountains, land areas, glaciers, passes, a valley, a river, a lake and another water body. Among them are Gogra and Hot Spring, which reports identify as areas involved in the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff between Indian and Chinese forces. Their inclusion in the named list does not, by itself, establish a change in control or the status of the border. Other names on the list include Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak, Martand Giri, Zorawar Peak, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshvara Ri. It also names Karun Pir, Drak Karpo, Jolmori, Chapchingal Pass, Shachmirk Pass, Parpik and Skamri glaciers, and Shkorga Valley.