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J&K LAND OF MAJESTIC LAKES
Young Bites. Dated: 12/14/2017 8:06:14 AM
G.L Khajuria
Nature has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with a rich gift which is hardly found elsewhere in the entire sub continent or to say across the globe and form the important magnanimous and scintillating are the lakes and other water bodies which apart tourist destination and provide succour and livelihood to multitude people. Owing to turmoil and turbulence created by the militancy particularly in the vale of Kashmir has received a big Jolt in face of such a delicate dilemma. The prestine influx of tourist, has greatly been slow downed. And the bollywood. And the bollywood stardom which immersively routined to come to charming valley for shooting has also been slow downed their momentum.
Gone are the days when the most famous films like “Arzoo”, “Jab Jab Phool Khile” and their allie are now missing there from the vale of Kashmir.
Despite all that, the state government is enduring hard to invigorate inflow both of tourists as well of film stars etc. the fact goes that the tourists/cinestars inflow beyond all ambiguities was owing the charming and enthralling beauty of hill spot, apart from a vast expanse of beautiful lakes both in Jammu, Kashmir and other places of the attraction.
Lakes in Jammu region:
• Mansarand Surinsar lakes: Located amidst dense green coniferous and other broad leaved lushgreen vibrant forests, these fall arounding 1800-2000ft above mean sea level (MSL) and occupy their prominent place of enthralling beauty. Despite their mesmerizing location. These twin lakes are not so seriously cared for. These have always been victim of official –cum-government apathy. The government is enjoined upon for their development, care and upgradation. These twin lakes are the rich heritage of Jammu and warrant equal invigoration as for other lakes spanning over other part of the state.
These lakes share their sancity at par with lake Mansrovar amidst Himalayas from where two rivers gush out. To the east, Brahmputra which after waying through thousands of miles drains down in the bay of Bengal. And towards its west, river Sindh traverses through Indian Heritage converging into Arabian sea.
Currently, both these lakes form the social, cultural and economic importance of Jammu region and more due to a cluster of temples of whom ‘Shehnag’ temple is of ample importance. It is as such that the image of ‘Shehnag’ is inside the temple complex and symbolizes as snake God and many affiliations are attached to it regarding Jammu rituals.
According to Jalmanu these composite lakes were created during the Mahabharata when a war ensured between Arjuna’s Son Vabruvahan with Arjuna. Both these lakes are an epicenter of Dogra culture as the word Dogra has originated from Sanskrit word ‘Devigrat’ meaning between two thoughts. As such it is believed that Dogras are Indo-Aryan tribe that originated from Mansar and Surinsar lakes.
• Sanasar lake: This lake (now almost dried) lies some 19 kms far away from Patnitop and the road passes serpentinly with multitude of twists and turns. Sanasar has had remained neglected due to apathetic attitude of all the successive governments and has not been rejuvenated to its prestine grandeur and glory.
Lakes in Kashmir Valley:
• Wularlake: It is the largest fresh water lake in Asia surrounded by towering mountains. The green water swirl gently around a curious, bubbling spring in the middle of the lake which give her the majestic look . The lake from is fed by the melting snows from mountains form apart by glacial action and other phenomenal activities of mother nature. There are countless glaciers on ‘Haramoukh’. To the southern side, these descend around 13500 ft but alter to the north some 1500 ft lower. They are fed by large in snow fields on the summit which are of greater thickness. The snow peaks on the middle show a vertical sheet of water about 200 feet. There are lakelets varying in size from mere ponds to sheets of water a mile or so in length and around a quarter mile in breath. Most of these occur at a height of around 11500 feet.
The lakes and Lakelets on the upper valley around Harmukh Mountain are Gangabal, LoolGul and sarbal. They are at an elevation arrounding 12000 ft surrounded by three peaks. It is said to be a source of Jhelum. In the spring the water is almost 40 feet higher than in winter.
• Dal lake:- It is the most majestic and prettiest of all the lakes in vale of Kashmir. Here at Dal lake, there is a hugeinflux of tourists around the year. Maximum film shooting have been done in and around the vicinity of this lake. It is the second largest lake in Kashmir valley and is around 6km by 3km in size. The main attraction of the lake is surrounded by towering mountains, blooming gardens and orchids all around with house boats and ‘shikaras’ which make the lake peerless and mesmerizing. Further beatifying scenery are two hillocksand well known shrines of ‘Shankaracharya’ and ‘Hari Parvat’ temples. With the passage of time the The Dal has turned dull because of encroachment which in other round has shrunk the lake water bodies. The growth of the weeds within the lake has made it filth ridden. It as such warrant periodic wedding out and unwanted growth of weeds as to give the lake vibrancy and bring back to its pristineglory and grandeur so as to attract more and more tourists, apart from producers, Directors and cine stars. All these factors in combination shall open up avenues for employment which shall go a long way in improving local economy as well.
• Nagin Lake: This lake is subsidiary of Dal lake and is considered as a separate Lake. Boating, swimming and diving are the most prominent attractions of this lake. Its most enchanting picturesque spots consist of Shankaracharaya hill, HariParvat and multihued popular and willow trees which make more charming the road ways around the lake. It is located to the east of Srinagar city at the foot of Zabawan mountain. The reflection of popular and willow trees in the lake make it still more enchanting. A most fascinating feature of this lake is of bathing boats as well as water ski and motor launches are also available for hire at the lake order.
• Mansabal Lake: Located around 28Kms far away from city itself is the most charming insofar taunts of aquatic birds are concerned. Mansabal is a derivative of the fact that it is surrounded by three villages vizJacrabal, Kondabal Kiln place which is located on the north-eastern side of the lake.
Lakes of Ladakh
• Pangong Tso: This is one of the spectacular lakes in Ladakh in Pangong Tso which lies across the Changla pass from leh. This is situated at an elevation around 4500 from mean sea level (MSL). This lake is about 8 Kms wide and about 134kms long which is quite imaging .More striking is the fact, that it is remnant of ice-age formed by dead ice. The lake spraws over both Ladakh and Tibetan territory and it runs across the territory of Tibet (China)
Most of fresh water enters into the lake from Tibetan side.
• TSO Morari Lake: This is one of the largest lake in Ladakh and is almost like an island sea. It is situated at an elevation around 4900 meters from mean sea level (MSL) this lake is 22 Kms. 7x8 kms (length and width) and 30 mts deep at the deepest point. This lake is reported to be left over from the ice age and is formed by the melt waters of ice masses. The water from surrounding area drain down into this lake. The huge amount of water present in the lake at the outset gets evaporated and fresh water turns brackish and finally salty . This water is unfit for the human consumption.
• Kyaghr Lake: This is a small lake situated around 10 kms to the morth of TSO Marari Lake. It is 3x1.5 kms (length and width) with a maximum depth arounding 22 mts. The water is brackish and not fit for human consumption. Concluding, therefore, it is worthwhile to mention that our state is beset with beautiful lake which warrant due care for preservation and conservation.
The author is Dy. Conservator
of forest J&K
Email; glkhajuriafor@gmail.com
Mobile: 9797683140