Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake is located about 30 km north of
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir State. It has
predominantly rural surroundings with three villages, Kondabal, Jarokbal
and Gratbal overlooking the lake. Manasbal is considered as the 'supreme
gem of all Kashmir lakes' with lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) nowhere more
abundant or beautiful than on the margins of this lake during July and
August. It is the deepest lake of Kashmir valley and perhaps the only one
that develops stable summer stratification. Manasbal is classified as warm
monomictic lake and circulates once in a year for a short time.
The other lakes in the region either have
weak stratification or are polymictic. Close to the northern shore are the
ruins of a fort which was built in 17th century by a Moghul king to cater
the needs of caravans that used to travel from Panjab to Srinagar. On the
south, overlooking the lake is a hillock-Ahtung which is used for
limestone extraction. The eastern part is mainly mountainous and towards
the north is an elevated plateau known as 'Karewa' consisting of
lacustrine, fluviatile and loessic deposits.
The lake has no major inflow channels and the water
supply is maintained through spring water inflow and precipitation. An
outlet channel connects the lake with the Jhelum River. The outflow of
water is regulated artificially.
The local population uses the lake as a source of
water, for fishing and for obtaining food and fodder plants. Many people
are involved in harvesting and marketing of lotus rootstocks which are
extensively eaten in the State. In recent years, tourism has caught up
with the Manasbal Lake in a big way and as a consequence there are lots of
pressure on the terrestrial ecosystem which is being exploited at many
places.
The origin of the lake is still unresolved but
there is no denying the fact that Manasbal is very ancient. The local
people believe in the legend that the lake is bottomless. Over the years
as a result of human pressure the lake has become eutrophic. The water
body is virtually choked with submerged weeds particularly during summer
which is the high tourist season. The deep water layers become anoxic with
considerable accumulation of hydrogen sulphide.
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