Dal Lake

Dal is a lake in the picturesque Kashmir valley in northern India at an altitude of 1,583 m. above sea level, an amazing blue expanse stretches. Dal Lake is considered urban, 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 Indian Venice. 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 the lake is 18 square kilometers. If we take into account the surrounding marshes, this figure will be 22-24 square kilometers. It is 7.44 km long and 3.5 km wide. There are additional lakes next to the main lake, which are connected to it by canals, and they can only be accessed by boat.

The coastline is about 15.5 km long and is surrounded by a historic boulevard. Mughal era gardens 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 houseboats. Residents of Kashmir are proud of the handmade products made here: luxurious cashmere shawls and clothes.

It offers comfortable hotels, including on the water. Those who wish can go boating, rafting by canoe. 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 income items of local residents. Fruits grow in abundance, which, after appropriate processing, are sold as dried fruits. Fishing is one of the main ways of earning money for local residents. There are many fish in the lake, the main food base of which is zooplankton and benthos.

Houseboats-Chic Boats

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, unique comfortable cabins 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 of cedar wood, decorated with elaborate carvings, spacious and comfortable, the Chicars proved 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.