Dal Lake

Dal is a lake in the picturesque Kashmir valley in northern India at an altitude of 1583 m above sea level, with an amazing blue surface stretching out. Dal Lake is considered an urban lake; it is located in one of the most romantic cities in India - Srinagar. For its extraordinary beauty and abundance of water, Srinagar is sometimes called the Venice of India. And the pond is a jewel in the crown of Kashmir and a lake of flowers. It is one of the most frequently recommended places to visit in India.

Infrastructure

The area of Lake Dal is 18 sq. km. If we take into account the surrounding swamps, this figure will be 22-24 sq. km. It stretches 7.44 km in length and 3.5 km in width. Next to the main lake there are additional ones, which are connected to it using canals, and can only be reached by boat.

The coastline is approximately 15.5 km long and is surrounded by a historical boulevard. The gardens of the Mughal era are also located here. The city of Srinagar is surrounded by picturesque mountains, it is famous for its beautiful nature, embankments and parks, gardens and colorful floating houses. The people of Kashmir are proud of their handicrafts, including luxurious cashmere shawls and clothing.

Comfortable hotels are available, including ones on the water. Those who wish can go boating or canoeing. In some winters, when the air temperature drops to -11°C, the water surface freezes, and tourists get a unique opportunity to ski in India. If you wish, you can go on an excursion - there are many historical monuments and attractions around Dal Lake.

Ecosystem

The flora and fauna of the surroundings of Dal Lake are very rich and diverse. In July, 30% of the water surface is covered with blooming lotuses. Aquatic plants and algae, which are in great demand among tourists, are one of the sources of income for local residents. Fruits grow in abundance, which, after appropriate processing, are sold in the form of dried fruits. Fishing is one of the main ways of earning money for local residents. The lake is home to a lot of fish, the main food supply of which is zooplankton and benthos.

Shikara houseboats

Unusual houseboats appeared on Dal Lake by accident. The Maharaja did not allow the sale of land to Indian employees who worked for the British, as he feared the strengthening of British influence in the city. Then the British began to build floating palaces, equipped with all the achievements of technological progress. The first houseboat was built in 1888. With the development of tourism, the unique comfortable Shikars began to be in great demand among guests, who had the opportunity to live on the water, using all the amenities of a luxury hotel. Made from cedar wood, intricately carved, spacious and comfortable, Shikaras have proven to be a good source of income for their owners. There are hundreds of houseboats along the shores of Dal Lake. The vast majority of them are stationary.