| Dal Lake | |
|---|---|
 View of Dal lake and Char Chinar | |
  Dal Lake  Dal Lake | |
| Location | Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Coordinates | 34°07′N 74°52′E / 34.117°N 74.867°E |
| Lake type | Warm monomictic |
| Primary inflows | Inflow Channel Telbal Nallah from Marsar lake −291.9 million cubic metres |
| Primary outflows | Regulated, two channels (Dal Gate and Nalla Amir) – 275.6 million cubic metres |
| Catchment area | 316 square kilometres (122 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | India |
| Max. length | 7.44 km (4.62 mi) |
| Max. width | 3.5 km (2.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 18–22 square kilometres (6.9–8.5 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 1.42 metres (4.7 ft) |
| Max. depth | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Water volume | 983 million cubic metres (34.7×109 cu ft) |
| Residence time | 22.16 days |
| Shore length1 | 15.5 km (9.6 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 1,583 m (5,194 ft) |
| Frozen | During severe winter |
| Islands | Char Chinar and Son Lank |
| Settlements | Hazratbal, Srinagar |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Dal is a freshwater lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir in Indian-administered Kashmir. It is an urban lake, the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals. It is integral to tourism and recreation in the Kashmir valley and is variously known as the "Lake of Flowers",[1] "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir"[2] or "Srinagar's Jewel".[3] The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.[4][5][6]
The shore line of the lake, about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels. 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,[7] and from houseboats cruising along the lake in the colourful shikaras.[8] During the winter season, the temperature can sometimes reach as low as −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.[6][9]
The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. The floating gardens, known as "Rad" in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August. The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nigeen (although Nigeen is also considered as an independent lake).[10] Lokut Dal and Bod Dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rupa Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.[9][11]
At present, the Dal and the Mughal gardens on its periphery are undergoing intensive restoration measures to fully address the serious eutrophication problems experienced by the lake. Massive investments of approximately US$275 million (₹ 11 billion) are being made by the Government of India to restore the lake to its original splendour.[6][9][11][12][13]
- ^ World, Beautiful (19 July 2017). "Dal Lake Facts & Information - Beautiful World Travel Guide". Facts & Information - Beautiful World Travel Guide. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ "Dal Lake". National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 25 July 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
The world famous water body has been described as Lake Par-Excellence by Sir Walter Lawrence. It is the Jewel in the crown of the Kashmir and is eulogised by poets and praised abundantly by the tourists.
- ^ Singh, Sarina (2005). India. Lonely Planet. p. 344. ISBN 978-1-74059-694-7. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
peaceful Dal Lake is Srinagar's Jewel
- ^ Pandit pp. 66–93
- ^ "Dal Lake". International Lake Environment Committee. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
- ^ a b c Jain, Sharad K; Pushpendra K. Agarwal; Vijay P. Singh (2007). Hydrology and water resources of India. Springer. p. 978. ISBN 978-1-4020-5179-1. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "DAL LAKE". Tourist Attractions in India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ^ the Alternate Hydro Energy centre of the University of Rookee. "Conservation and Management Plan for Dal- Nigeen Lake". House Boat Owners Association. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
- ^ a b c "Dal Lakes". Kashmir Tourism. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
- ^ "Nigeen Lake | District Srinagar, Government of Jammu and Kashmir | India". Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Restoring the Dal Lake to its original glory". Rediff.com. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
rainwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Bindloss, Joe; Sarina Singh (2007). India. Lonely Planet. pp. 353–354, 360. ISBN 978-1-74104-308-2. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
it is a very beautiful lake.
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