Dal Lake : In News
Labourers from the Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) recently removed weeds from the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Dal Lake is an urban freshwater lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains.
- It is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
- It is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir after the Wular Lake.
- It is one of the world’s largest natural lakes and also known as the Lake of Flowers.
- The lake gets its water mainly from the Telbal stream. This stream flows from the Jhelum River.
- The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered an independent lake).
- Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank, respectively.
- The floating gardens, locally known as “Rad,” are a spectacular highlight of the lake.
- These are patches of land that float on the water.
- Farmers grow vegetables and flowers on them.
- It blossoms with lotus flowers during July and August.
- It is also popular for the floating market, where vendors have their own Shikaras/wooden boats and approach tourists.
