history of dal lake
TRANSCRIPT
HISTORY OF DAL LAKE
Dal Lake has rightfully become an icon of the Kashmir tourism industry. A Himalayan urban lake, it has five basins and a number of channels that are well linked with each other. There are plenty of fishes in Dal Lake and fishery is the second largest industry of the region centered on the lake. The sparkling quiet waters of Dal surrounded by snow-capped mountains on its three sides, undoubtedly mark it as one of the most beautiful lakes of India. It is also the second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir with numerous gardens and orchards all along its shores. Houseboats form an indelible part of the scenery of the Dal Lake that are always ready to take tourists to a romantic and peaceful ride of the lake and soothe their nerves as the houseboat floats over the slightly rippling waters. They also offer some of the most exotic views of the splendid scenery of the Dal Lake.
There are Shikaras that look like small ornate versions of the gondolas of Venice that offers ferry rides to and from the banks of the lake to the houseboats. The shores of the Lake houses the distinct Moghul monuments and the campus of the Kashmir University while the two hillocks overlooking the lake house Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat temples. The glorious Mughal gardens on its shores contribute to the beauty of the Dal Lake. Out of about five hundred gardens laid down in 16th to 17th century, only a few still survive. There have been controversies about the origin of the Dal Lake. While some geologists believe that the origins of Dal Lake lie in the Pleistocene Oligotrophic Lake that once covered the entire valley of Kashmir, others just believe it to be a flood plain lake. The floating gardens of Dal Lake are considered a beauty in themselves. One can find a number of restaurants and hotels at the lakefront that have sprung up, encouraged by the large influx of tourists here
Ancient history records mention that a village named Isabar to the east of Dal Lake
was the residence of goddess Durga.[11] This place was known as Sureshwari on the
bank of the lake, which was sourced by a spring called the Satadhara.[11]
During the Mughal period, the Mughal rulers of India designated Kashmir, Srinagar
in particular, as their summer resort.[2][12] They developed the precincts of the Dal
lake in Srinagar with spawling Mughul-type gardens and pavilions as pleasure
resorts to enjoy the salubrious cool climate.[2] After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707,
which led to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire,[13] Pashtuntribes in the area
around the lake and city area increased, and the Durrani Empire ruled the city for
several decades.[14] In 1814 a significant part of the Kashmir valley, including
Srinagar, was annexed by Raja Ranjit Singh to his kingdom, and the Sikhs grew in
influence in the region for 27 years.[15][16]
Nishat Bagh Mughal Gardens
During the British Raj, the British also made Srinagar their capital during the summer
months, attracted by the cool climate of the Kashmir valley, amidst the back drop of
the majestic snow covered Himalayan ranges. The lake precincts experience
temperatures in the range of 1–11 °C (34–52 °F) during winter and 12–30 °C (54–
86 °F) during the summer season. The lake freezes when temperatures drop to
about −11 °C (12.2 °F) during severe winter.[5] Although the Dogra Maharaja of
Kashmir restricted the building of houses in the valley, the British circumvented this
rule by commissioning lavish houseboats to be built on the Dal Lake. The
houseboats have been referred to as, "each one a little piece of England afloat on
Dal Lake."[2]
After the independence of India, the Kashmiri Hanji people have built, owned and
maintained these houseboats, cultivating floating gardens and producing
commodities for the market, making them the centre of their livelihoods. The
houseboats, closely associated with Dal Lake also provide accommodation in
Srinagar. Following the Mughal and British rule, the place has became a haven for
tourists and earned the epithet, "Jewel in the tourist crown".[17][18][19]
SIGNIFICANCE
he Dal Lake which has the length of 8 Km long and a width of 4 Km, spreads over a total of 26 Sq. Km. The fascinating Dal Lake is divided into two smaller ones the Lokut (small) and Bod (big) Dal. The south western part of the lake has a maximum depth of approximately 12 M. the Dal Lake gets some of its water
from spring but is also supplemented by water from the mountain lake, Mar Sar. In the western part of the Lake one can glimpse a few islands, some bigger, some smaller. Its shores are very fertile and surrounded by willows. Potato, tomato, pumpkin, cucumber, radish and lots of other vegetables are grown here cultivation of the floating gardens which also lie in this part of the lake is another interesting feature. These gardens
consist of reed rafts of different lengths and a width of approximately one and a half by three meters and are covered by 1020 CM thick layer of earth and mud. Vegetables and melons are grown on these artificial floating islands.
Dal Lake is, initially, one of the most confusing parts of Srinagar for it's not really one lake at all, but three. Further more much of it is hardly what one would expect a lake to be like - it's a maze of intricate waterways and channels, floating islands of vegetation, houseboats that look so firmly moored they could almost be islands and hotels on islands which look like they could simply float away.
The sacred Dal lake with natural water body is 11km from Lower Dharamshala connected by motorable road. It is the starting point of excursions and trekking and is located next to the Tibetan Children's village. The lake is a scenic picnic spot surrounded by the forests of Deodar. There is a temple of Durveshwar Mahadev by the side of the lake. A colourful annual fair is held every september on the ady of Radhaashtami. Dal lake is spot of religious importance, besides, a place of tourist attraction.
Further, 1.5 km from Dal, is a scenic spot of Naddi offering a clear view of Kangra valley and Dhauladhar peaks. It is connected with road and is famous as sunset point. Naddi is also a staring point for trek to Kareri Lake, Guna Devi temple and Triund.
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DAL LAKEA lake view with house boats on the lake
Photo: D.P. Zutshi
A. LOCATION
Jammu and Kashmir, India.
34:18N, 74:91E; 1,583 m above sea level.
B. DESCRIPTION
Dal is a Himalayan urban lake which is mainly used for tourism. Fishery is of secondary importance. The lake comprises five basins and a myriad of inter- connecting channels. It is one of the most beautiful lakes of India and the second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is surrounded by mountains on its three sides. A large number of gardens and orchards have been laid along the shores. Dal Lake is unique in having hundreds of house boats which afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The boats are served by Shikaras which more or less resemble the gondolas of Venice but are smaller in size and are tastefully decorated. Besides the Moghul monuments the campus of the University of Kashmir is also located along the shores of the lake. Overlooking the lake are two hillocks which house the famous temples of Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat. A perennial inflow channel enters the lake from the north and supplies about 80% of the water. Towards the southwest side an outflow channel drains the lake water into a tributary of the River Jhelum. Parallel to this exit is a stone-lined canal which connects the lake with the tributary. This channel is used for movement of boats in and out of the lake and prevents inundation of floating gardens during high floods.
The famous Moghul gardens around the lake have been laid during 16-17th century and their number was about five hundred but now only a few of these have survived. The origin of the lake has remained unresolved. It is believed by some geologists that the Dal Lake is the remnant of a
Pleistocene oligotrophic lake which once covered the entire valley of Kashmir. There are other geologists who believe Dal to be a flood plain lake. The lake water is being used for irrigation of vegetable fields which have grown in number and extent during recent years. The present maximum depth of the lake is 6 m (Nagin basin). Many aquatic plants growing in the lake are used as food, fodder and compost.
The water quality of Dal Lake has deteriorated considerably in the last two decades. Large peripheral areas have been reclaimed and converted into floating gardens. With the increase in the tourist influx a large number of residential buildings, restaurants and hotels have come up along the lake front. The number of house boats has also been increasing at an alarming rate. As a result of rapid and unplanned urbanization, large quantities of raw sewage are discharged in the lake water, which might pose health problems in the near future.
The main environmental issues are excessive weed growth, reduction in water clarity, enrichment of waters and high microbial activity. A Dal Development Project was formulated in 1978 and the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir adopted it with some modifications. The main thrust of the project is to improve the lake environment by using both physical and biological approaches. The work is in progress (Q).
C. PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS (Q)
Surface area [km2] 21*1
Volume [km3] 0.00983
Maximum depth [m] 6
Mean depth [m] 1.4*2
Water level Regulated
Normal range of annual water level fluctuation [m] 0.7
Length of shoreline [km] 15.5
Catchment area [km2] 316*1 Including Floating Gardens.*2 Nagin Basin.
D. PHYSIOGRAPHIC FEATURES (Q)D1 GEOGRAPHICAL
Sketch map: Fig. ASI-38-01.
Bathymetric map: Fig. ASI-38-02.
Names of main islands: Sona Lank and Rupa Lank.
Number of outflowing rivers and channels (name)2 (Dal Gate and Nalla Amir Khan).
D2 CLIMATIC Climatic data at Srinagar, 1977
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ann.
Mean temp. [deg C] 0 3 9 14 18 22 24 23 20 14 3 5 -
Precipitation [mm] 70 75 92 90 60 36 55 62 40 26 11 38 655
Fig. ASI-38-01Sketch map.
Fig. ASI-38-02Bathymetric map.
Water temperature [deg C]
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 3 6 19 21 23 26 25 24 21 15 9 7
Freezing period: January (only during severe winters).
Mixing type: Polymictic.
Notes on water mixing and thermocline formation@Thermocline has been observed in Nagin basin.
E. LAKE WATER QUALITY (Q)E1 TRANSPARENCY [m]
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0.89 0.95 0.53 0.95 1.8 1.9 1.95 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.98
E2 pH
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 9.8 8.0 8.4 7.3 8.2 7.3 8.4 7.8 7.2 8.6 7.7 9.4
E4 DO [mg l-1]
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 4.4 7.8 3.6 4.0 5.6 6.4 4.8 1.4 9.6 12.3 10.2 -
E5 COD [mg l-1]Determined by KMnO4 method.
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 4.7 0.9 0.52 0.43 1.48 4.2 5.0 2.3 1.5 2.0 2.0 0.28
E7 NITROGEN CONCENTRATION NO3-N [micro l-1]
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 175 73 73 80 380 22 1315 95 94 88 219 285
E8 PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATION Total-P [micro l-1]
Hazratbal, 1983-1984
Depth [m] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 104 69 81 46 138 35 577 138 69 58 162 46
E10 PAST TRENDS
Hazratbal
1965-1966 1980-1981 1983-1984
pH 7.9 8.6 8.8
PO4-P [micro l-1] 20 92.6 115
NO3-N [micro l-1] 105 556 780
NH4-N [micro l-1] 250 730 850
F. BIOLOGICAL FEATURES (Q)F1 FLORA
Emerged macrophytes: Typha angustifolia, Phragmites australis. Floating macrophytes: Salvinia natans, Hydrocharis dubia, Nymphoides peltata,
Nymphaeasp., Nelumbo nucifela, Potamogeton natans. Submerged macrophytes: Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum,
Potamogeton crispus, P. lucens. Phytoplankton: Navicula radiosa, Nitzschia accicularis, Fragilaria crotonensis, Diatoma
elongatum, Scenedesmus bijuga, Pediastrum duplex, Tetraedron minimum, Microcystis aeruginosa, Merismopedia elegans.
F2 FAUNA Zooplankton: Keratella cochlearis, K. serrulata, Polyarthra vulgaris, Brachionus plicatilis,
Monostyla bulla, Alona monocantha, Cyclops ladakanus, Mesocyclops leukarti. Benthos: Chironomus sp., Tubifex sp. Fish: Cyprinus carpio specularis*, C. carpio communis, Schizothorax niger, S. esocinus,
S. curviformis, Crossochelius latius. * Economically important. Supplementary notes on the biota: Cyprinus which was introduced in the lake during early
sixties has become dominant and the indigenous species Schizothorax is gradually declining in number.
F3 PRIMARY PRODUCTION RATE [mg C m-3 day-1]
Hazratbal, 1981
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - 22.2 89.8 253.4 194.2 145.4 57.4 - -
Nagin, 1981
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - 262.8 593.4 281.4 348.2 370.2 393.0 - -
F4 BIOMASS*
MacrophyteCoverage Organic matter production
[ha] [%] [g m-2 day-1] [t ha-1 yr-1]
Helophytes 50 5 10.5-15.0 27.6
Floating forms 280 25-30 1.24-5.4 8.81
Submerged 680 55-65 0.77-2.4 4.62
* And primary production.
F7 NOTES ON THE REMARKABLE CHANGES OF BIOTA IN THE LAKE IN RECENT YEARS
Reduction in the number of Chara species since 1934.Increase in the area covered by Salvinia since 1937.Tendency to develop monospecific communities of submerged macrophytes, e.g.Ceratophyllum and Myriophyllum.
G. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS (Q)G1 LAND USE IN THE CATCHMENT AREA
1985
Area [km2] [%]
Natural landscape
- Woody vegetation 103.00 37.4
- Scrub 36.26 13.2
Agricultural land
- Crop field 66.52 24.2
- Pasture land 31.25 11.4
Residential area 31.89 11.6
Horticulture 6.28 2.3
Total 275.20 100 Main types of woody vegetation: Melia, Ailanthus, Robinia, Daphne, Celtis, Rosa,
Ephedra. Types of the other important vegetation: Introduced trees (Pinus roxburghii, P. halepensis,
P. gerardiana, Cupressus torrulosa, C. arizonica).
Main kinds of crops: Rice, wheat, brassica.
Levels of fertilizer application on crop fields: Moderate.
Trends of change in land useAgricultural land being converted into settlement area. Construction of residential and commercial buildings. Some crop land being brought under horticulture.
G3 POPULATION IN THE CATCHMENT AREA
1977
Population Population density [km-2] Major cities (population)
Urban 137,000
Rural 54,000 604
Total 191,000
H. LAKE UTILIZATION (Q)H1 LAKE UTILIZATION
Source of water, sightseeing and tourism, recreation (swimming), fisheries and harvesting of food and fodder plants.
I. DETERIORATION OF LAKE ENVIRONMENTS AND HAZARDS (Q)I1 ENHANCED SILTATION
Extent of damage: Serious.
Supplementary notesThe total volume of settled silt deposited in Dal Lake in 1976 through inflow Channel Telbal was 36,200 m3. This represents an area of 3.6 ha with a depth of 1 m.
I3 EUTROPHICATION
Nuisance caused by eutrophication: Excessive weed growth.
Nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to the lake [t yr-1]
1977
Sources Industrial Domestic Agricultural Natural Total
T-N 0 359 275 0 634
T-P 0 39.9 6.4 0 46.3 Supplementary notes
Over the years as a result of urbanization and tourist influx the lake is getting rapidly eutrophied. The measures that are being implemented for rehabilitation include mechanical harvesting of weeds, removal of barricades to facilitate water circulation, moratorium on house boat construction and control on unlawful encroachments.
J. WASTEWATER TREATMENTS (Q)J1 GENERATION OF POLLUTANTS IN THE CATCHMENT AREA
e) Severe pollution with no wastewater treatment. Human wastes and kitchen refuse are released from house boats into the lake water without any treatment.
J2 APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF POLLUTANT LOADS
[%]
Non-point Sources 55
Point sources 25
House boats and hotels 20
Total 100
J3 SANITARY FACILITIES AND SEWERAGE: None.
K. IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN THE LAKE (Q)
Kl RESTORATION
Construction of siltation tank, mechanical deweeding, regrouping of house boats, deepening of outflow channel, etc.; part of the work is in progress.
Removal of bunds and barricades including some floating gardens; part of the work has been already done.
K3 OTHERS
Moratorium on new construction works close to lake front, no new house boats to be added to the lake, and shifting of population from the lake front.
L. DEVELOPMENT PLANS (Q)
Reafforestation of catchment area to reduce movement of silt and erosion, control of grazing, and construction of bunds and pedestrian mall to stop further ingression on lake area (some work has already been done). These plans are to be executed in the near future. They have already been recommended for implementation. There is plan for sewage treatment also.
M. LEGISLATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES FOR UPGRADING LAKE ENVIRONMENTS (Q)M1 NATIONAL AND LOCAL LAWS CONCERNED
Names of the laws (the year of legislation)
1. The Environment Protection Act (1986)
Responsible authorities
1. The Government of India
Main items of controlPlanning execution of a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution. Laying down standards for the quality of environment and its various aspects. Examination of such manufacturing processes, materials and substances which are likely to cause environmental pollution.
Supplementary notesInspection of any premise, equipment,machinery, manufacturing or other processes, materials or substances and giving, by order, of such directions to such authorities, officers or persons as it may consider necessary to take steps for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
M2 INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES
1. Urban Environment Engineering Department, Jammu and Kashmir Government
2. Department of Environment, Ecology, Science and Technology, Jammu and Kashmir Governments
M3 RESEARCH INSTITUTES ENGAGED IN THE LAKE ENVIRONMENT STUDIES
Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir
N. SOURCES OF DATA
Questionnaire filled by Prof. D. P. Zutshi, Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
1. Vass, J. K. & Zutshi, D. P. (1979) J. Inld, Fish. Soc., 11: 12-21.
2. Zutshi, D. P. & Vass, K. K. (1978) Indian J. Ecol., 5: 90-97.
3. Zutshi, D. P. & Vass, K. K. (1982) Proc. Indian Natn. Sci. Acad. B., 48: 234-241.
4. Vass, K. K. & Zutshi, D. P.(1983) Arch. Hydrobiol., 97: 39-59.
5. Zutshi, D. P. (1987) Impact of human activities on the evolution of Dal Lake environment. In: Pangtey, Y. P. S. and Joshi, S. C. (eds.) Western Himalaya: Environment, Problems and Development, pp. 565-577. Nainital, India.
6. Enex (1978) Study of the Pollution of Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. A report prepared for the Common wealth Fund for Technical Cooperation by Enex of New Zealand Inc.
7. Urfi, S. (1985) Physical, Chemical and Trace Metal Analysis of Dal Lake. M. Phil dissertation of Kashmir University. 87 pp. (unpublished).
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Kashmir Valley is blessed with immense natural beauty and the lakes in the state
contribute a lot to its intrinsic beauty. Dal Lake is one of the most favourite tourist
destinations in the north Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir. Set amidst the splendid
Mother Nature, the Dal Lake has an ecological and socio-economic significance in the
lifestyle of Kashmir. The lake has a rich eco-system and the beauty and charm it bears
draws a large number of tourists from all over.
This most beautiful lake of India is the second largest in the state of J&K. Majestic
mountains and a large number of gardens surround its three sides and orchards have
been laid along the shores. The University of Kashmir campus also lies by the shores of
the lake. The lake has hundreds of houseboats both in the simple and decorated
category, which are the best options by to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace
and tranquility.
Nearby Highlights
The surroundings areas of the Dal Lake are dotted with houses with sloping roofs on
islands and the rest of the areas are dominated by lush green gardens. Furthermore,
houseboats, houses and vegetation come across your eyes, as you move forward two
huge expanses of water, the Bod Dal & Lokut Dal comes to your view.
More
Leading from the Dal Lake is the smaller Nagin Lake. Here,
the waters are edged by trees of willow and poplar whose
reflection is mirrored in the lake. The waters of the lakes are pleasantly cool from mid-
May to mid-September. Nagin Lake, which is farther from town, have magnificent views
of the mountains.
Contact Us for Tour
Salesmen paddle from boat to boat, selling everything you could want such as cold
drinks, fruit, nuts, fresh flowers, film, baked goods, papier-mache boxes, woolen shawls,
silk carpets, leather goods, money-changing services and on and on. The gentle
soothing motion of the boat, as it glides along the water of these lakes, is unbelievably
romantic.
Dal is a Himalayan urban lake, which is mainly used for
tourism. Fishery is of secondary importance. The lake
comprises five basins and a myriad of inter- connecting
channels. It is one of the most beautiful lakes of India and the
second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The
lake is surrounded by mountains on its three sides. A large
number of gardens and orchards have been laid along the
shores. Dal Lake is unique in having hundreds of house boats
which afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace
and tranquility. The boats are served by Shikaras which more or less resemble the
gondolas of Venice but are smaller in size and are tastefully decorated. Besides the
Moghul monuments the campus of the University of Kashmir is also located along the
shores of the lake. Overlooking the lake are two hillocks which house the famous
temples of Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat. A perennial inflow channel enters the lake
from the north and supplies about 80% of the water. Towards the southwest side an
outflow channel drains the lake water into a tributary of the River Jhelum. Parallel to this
exit is a stone-lined canal which connects the lake with the tributary. This channel is
used for movement of boats in and out of the lake and prevents inundation of floating
gardens during high floods.
The famous Moghul gardens around the lake have been laid during 16-17th century and
their number was about five hundred but now only a few of these have survived. The
origin of the lake has remained unresolved. Some geologists believe that the Dal Lake is
the remnant of a Pleistocene oligotrophic lake which once covered the entire valley of
Kashmir. There are other geologists who believe Dal to be a flood plain lake.
The lake water is being used for irrigation of vegetable fields
which have grown in number and extent during recent
years. The present maximum depth of the lake is 6 m (Nagin basin). Many aquatic
Contact Us for Tour
plants growing in the lake are used as food, fodder and compost.
The water quality of Dal Lake has deteriorated considerably in the last two decades.
Large peripheral areas have been reclaimed and converted into floating gardens. With
the increase in the tourist influx a large number of residential buildings, restaurants and
hotels have come up along the lake front. The number of house boats has also been
increasing at an alarming rate. As a result of rapid and unplanned urbanization, large
quantities of raw sewage are discharged in the lake water, which might pose health
problems in the near future.
The main environmental issues are excessive weed growth, reduction in water clarity,
enrichment of waters and high microbial activity. A Dal Development Project was
formulated in 1978 and the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir adopted it with
some modifications. The main thrust of the project is to improve the lake environment
by using both physical and biological approaches. The work is in progress.
environmental issues/remedial measuresThe lake is warm monomictic (mixing type) and the pH value recorded has varied
from a minimum of 7.2 to a maximum of 8.8 on the surface over a yearly period.[4] The Dissolved oxygen [mg l−1] value has varied from a minimum of 1.4 to a
maximum of 12.3 on the surface within a year. The Recorded
maximum nitrogen concentration (NH4-N [micro l−1] has been recorded as 1315 on
the surface and 22 at the bottom of the lake.[4] Phosphorus concentration expressed
in Total-P [micro l−1] has varied from a high of 577 to a low of 35 during the 12
months of the year.[4] The lake water temperature has varied from a minimum of 3
°C (37 °F) in January to 26 °C (79 °F) in June at the surface. Transparency,
expressed as depth in metres, has varied from a maximum of 1.95 metres (6.4 ft) in
July to a minimum of 0.53 metres (1.7 ft) in March, over the 12 months period.[4]
Studies of the water quality of the lake in 1983–84 indicate a decline in quality since
the 1965–66 analysis.[4] Scientific research over the years also reveal that Telbal,
Botkal, and sewage drains are responsible for a substantial influx of nitrogen and
phosphorus into the lake. Quantitatively, fifteen drains and several other sources
have released a total of 156.62 tonnes (56.36 tonnes by drains alone) of
phosphorus, and 241.18 tonnes of inorganic nitrogen into the lake from a discharge
of 11.701 MCM /year.[31] Non-point sources, such as seepage and diffused runoff,
also add to this pollution and have been recorded as further adding 4.5 tonnes of
total phosphates and 18.14 tonnes of nitrogen (NO3–N and NH4–N) to the lake.[31] Based on the values mentioned above, it has been inferred that the water quality
of the lake has deteriorated.
Panoramic view of the Dal Lake
The major environmental problem facing the lake is eutrophication, which has
required immediate remedial measures to combat it. Alarmingly, the size of the lake
has shrunk from its original area of 22 square kilometres (8.5 sq mi) to the present
area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi), and there is a concerning rate of sediment
deposition due to catchment area degradation.[4] The water quality has also
deteriorated due to intense pollution caused by the untreated sewage and solid
waste that is fed into the lake from the peripheral areas and from the settlements
and houseboats. Encroachments of water channels and consequent clogging has
diminished the circulation and inflows into the lake, so with the building up of
phosphates and nitrogen, this has led to extensive weed growth and consequences
on the biodiversity of the lake.[4][6]
[edit]Public Interest Litigations and restoration works
Identifying the above major issues as causes for the deterioration of the lake, a
multidisciplinary team of experts have prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR), a
responsible management plan entitled "Conservation and Management of Dal
Lake", which has the objective of achieving environment compatibility, cost
effectiveness and sustainability, ecological improvement with minimum interventions
and displacement and balancing the conflicts of interest. This plan is now under
implementation with the financial assistance of the Government of India.[4][6]
The serious nature of the environmental problems the lake has been experienced
has been widely publicised and has been brought to the attention of the Supreme
Court of India. Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have been filed in court
demonstrating the environmental dangers posed to the lake by sewage, wastes and
effluents. The PILs have sought injunctions of the court for setting up of an
integrated ring sewage system encircling the Lake; release of funds by the
Government of India to undertake measures to check pollution and to inaugurate a
High Powered Committee to monitor proper utilisation of the allotted funds. The
committee is under obligation to post feedback of progression developments from
time to time, directly to the Supreme Court. The PIL, filed in 2001, has resulted in a
number of directives from the court to the funding and implementing agencies and
the case is continuing. Consequently, under the National Lake Conservation Plan of
the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India, funds to the
extent Rs 298.76 crore were sanctioned in September 2005 for the conservation of
the lake.[9]The restoration and rehabilitation measures envisaged under the
"Conservation and Management of Dal Lake" are under various stages of
implementation with the funds allocated by the Government of India for the purpose.
Some of the measures undertaken for rehabilitating the lake to bring it to its original
eutrophication free status involved measures such as construction of siltation tanks,
mechanical deweeding, regrouping of houseboats, deepening of outflow channel
and removal of bunds and barricades, including some floating gardens.[4] In addition,
a moratorium has been imposed on new construction works close to the lakefront,
including the building of new house boats. Resettlement plans for migrating the
population from the lakefront have also evolved.[4] The long-term development plans
also deal with the reafforestation of catchment area to reduce erosion movement
and movement of silt and to regulate grazing by livestock. Recent reports indicate
that, as of 2010, 40% of the measures have been implemented.[8]
media plays an important role but memories of what is taught in early
childhood remain as everlasting value for the rest of our lives. If we want our KASHEER to live it has to live in our generations to come and that would be possible if we sow the seeds of progress, love and peace in the tender hearts now........
Ae watan mere watan rooh-e-rawaani-ehraae' ke zarroo mein tere boo-e-chanman-rang-e-bahaar
rez-e-alwaas ke tere khaso-khaashaaq mein haihaddiyaan apne buzurgon ki teri khaak mein hai
tujhse mooh modke mooh apna dikhaayenge kahanghar jo chodenge to fir chaawni chaayenge kahan
bazm-e-agiyaar mein aaraam ye paayenge kahantujhse hum ruthke jaayenge to jaayenge kahan ..... :(
over a year ago