DAL LAKE - GEOGRAPHY
News: Dal Lake is ready to welcome G20 delegates,
people associated with tourism are hopeful about the summit
What's in the news?
● The
G20 tourism meeting is going to be held in Srinagar under the presidency of
India.
● Srinagar
is one of the 52 cities for various meetings of G20.
● Dal
lake conservation and management authority is working in a full swing mode to
clean and beautify the dal lake.
Dal Lake:
● Dal
is a lake in Srinagar, the summer
capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Dal Lake is a misnomer as
Dal in Kashmiri means lake.
● It
is the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
● Causeways
separate the wetland into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin
(although Nagin is also considered as an independent lake).
● It
is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water
plant harvesting.
● It
acts as a main source of tourism around the country.
Features:
● It
is named the “Jewel in the crown of
Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
● The
floating gardens, known as “Raad” in
Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August.
● It
got the nickname "Lake of
flowers".
● The
houseboats (Shikaras) are closely
associated with Dal Lake which provide accommodation to tourists in Srinagar.
● Scenic
views of the lake can be witnessed from the shore line Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh built
during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
Other Important Lakes in Jammu and Kashmir:
Wular Lake:
● Largest freshwater lake
in India.
● Lake
Wular is a Ramsar site.
● Located
at the base of Mount Haramuk.
● River Jhelum
is the primary source of water for the lake.
● Kashmiri
Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin is said to have ordered the construction of the
artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle of the lake in 1444.
Manasbal Lake:
● It’s
a freshwater lake with picturesque
hills and pristine waters.
● The
Mughal Garden, called the Jaroka Bagh,
(meaning bay window) built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake.
● Nick
name: "Bird's paradise".
● After
a gap of 33 years, Manasbal Lake is once again open for training drills after
raging militancy forced the Navy to abandon it.