Nigeen Lake

Last updated

Nigeen Lake
Nagin Lake (Srinagar).jpg
Nigeen lake and Hari Parbat hill in the background
India Jammu and Kashmir UT adm relief map.svg
Red pog.svg
Nigeen Lake
Location Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates 34°06′50″N74°49′56″E / 34.11389°N 74.83222°E / 34.11389; 74.83222
Primary outflows Nallah Amir Khan
Basin  countriesIndia
Max. length2.7 km (1.7 mi)
Max. width0.82 km (0.51 mi)
Surface elevation1,582 m (5,190 ft)

Nigeen Lake (alternatively spelled as Nageen Lake) is a mildly eutrophic [1] lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is sometimes considered a part of the Dal lake and is connected to it via a narrow strait. [2] It is also connected to the Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes via a channel known as Nallah Amir Khan. [3]

Contents

Etymology

The Nigeen lake is surrounded by a large number of willow and poplar trees. Hence, it has come to be referred as a "nageena", which means "the jewel in the ring". The word "nigeen" is a local variant of the same word. [2]

Location

The lake is located adjacent to the Hari Parbat hillock, to the west of the Dal lake. To its north and west, lie the localities of Baghwanpora and Lal Bazar while to its north east lies the locality of Hazratbal, which is known for the Hazratbal Shrine. [2]

Present status

The lake is a major tourist attraction in Srinagar, known for its relatively pristine waters as compared to the Dal lake. Houseboats and shikaras are common. It is also used for swimming. [2] The colonial era Nigeen Club is situated on the eastern shore.[ citation needed ]

As with other water bodies in the Kashmir Valley the lake suffers from encroachments which are deteriorating its water quality and also increasing the risk of floods. The government of Jammu and Kashmir is taking steps to help improve the condition of the lake and restore it to its original condition. [4]

Nigeen Lake pano (edited).jpg
Panoramic view of the houseboat-lined west bank of Nigeen lake with Hari Parbat in left foreground and snow capped Pir Panjal in the background. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Srinagar</span> City in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory. It lies in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River, and the shores of Dal Lake and Anchar Lakes, between the Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya hills. The city is known for its natural environment, various gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like the Kashmir shawl, papier-mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving, and jewel making, as well as for dried fruits. It is the second-largest metropolitan area in the Himalayas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jhelum River</span> River in India and Pakistan

The Jhelum River is a river in the northern Indian subcontinent. It originates at Verinag and flows through the Indian-administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir, into Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, then the Pakistani province of Punjab. It is the westernmost of the five rivers of the Punjab region, and flows through the Kashmir Valley. It is a tributary of the Chenab River and has a total length of about 725 kilometres (450 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dal Lake</span> Lake in Srinagar, India

Dal is a freshwater lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is an urban lake, the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals. It is integral to tourism and recreation in the Kashmir valley and is variously known as the "Lake of Flowers", "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel". The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazratbal Shrine</span> Muslim shrine in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Hazratbal Shrine, popularly called Dargah Sharif, is a Muslim shrine located in Hazratbal locality of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It contains a relic, Moi-e-Muqqadas, believed to be the hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is situated on the northern bank of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, and is considered to be Kashmir's holiest Muslim shrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shikara</span> Type of boat

The shikara is a type of wooden boat found on Dal Lake and other water bodies of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Shikaras are of various sizes and are used for multiple purposes, including transportation. A usual shikara seats six people, with the driver paddling at the rear. Like the Venetian gondolas, they are a cultural symbol of Kashmir. Some shikaras are still used for fishing, harvesting aquatic vegetation, and transport, while most are covered with tarpaulins and are used by tourists. A Shikara ride in Dal Lake is a great way to experience the beauty of Dal Lake and get a glimpse into the life of the locals. Some are used as floating homes.

Bandipore or Bandipora is the headquarters of district of Bandipore in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wullar Lake—the second-largest freshwater lake in Asia. Also highest Mountain peak of Kashmir Valley Mt Harmukh is in Bandipora.Bandipora has a terraced garden similar to that of Nishat Bagh in Srinagar. Bandipora is bound by mountains on three sides and by Wular Lake on the fourth. As per folklore, the name of Bandipora originated either from Bund of Wular as Bund e pur, from the local folk-singing bands (bāṇd) as Baand e pur or from the enclosed (band) geographical location as Bandh e pur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chashme Shahi</span> Mughal garden

Chashme Shahi, Chashma i Shahi, or Cheshma Shahi, also called Chashma Shahi or Cheshma Shahi, is one of the Mughal gardens built in 1632 AD around a spring by Ali Mardan Khan, a governor of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as per the orders of the Emperor, as a gift for his eldest son Prince Dara Shikoh. The garden is located in the Zabarwan Range, near Raj Bhawan overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tota Rani

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nishat Bagh</span> Terraced Mughal garden near Dal Lake, in Srinagar, Indian Administered Kashmir

Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden built on the eastern side of the Dal Lake, close to Srinagar in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. Nishat Bagh, is also located on the bank of the Dal Lake. 'Nishat Bagh' is Urdu, and means the "Garden of Joy," "Garden of Gladness" and "Garden of Delight."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir</span>

Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, with its renowned Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Bhaderwah, Patnitop and Jammu. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had a significant impact on the state's economy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manasbal Lake</span> Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Manasbal Lake is a freshwater lake located in Safapora area of Ganderbal District in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The name Manasbal is said to be a derivative of Manasarovar. The lake is encircled by four villages viz., Jarokbal, Kondabal, Nesbal and Gratbal. The large growth of lotus at the periphery of the lake adds to the beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The Mughal garden, called the Jaroka Bagh, built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Char Chinar</span> Island in Dal Lake, Srinagar

Char Chinar, also sometimes called Char Chinari, Ropa Lank, or Rupa Lank, is an island in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The island located on the Lakut Dal is known as Roph Lank and is marked with four Chinar trees growing at the corners, thus known as Char Chinari. A second chinar island, known as Sone Lank, is located on the Bod Dal and overlooks the shrine of Hazratbal.

Anchar Lake is a lake located in Soura in the Srinagar district of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreshore Road</span> Road in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Foreshore Road is one of the prestigious roads in the city of Srinagar. The notability of the road lies in the fact that the entire road lies on the banks of Dal Lake. The road starts from Hazratbal, Srinagar and ends at Nishat. The famous Mughal Gardens of Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh are situated on the road. The economy of the people living here greatly depends on tourism. The road is also connected to the Boulevard road. Driving on the road provides glances of the beautiful Dal Lake and views of the sunset can be enjoyed from this road. In the summers the cool breeze of Dal Lake provides respite to the people resting on the roadside. From 13 April every year, government officials open the Mughal Gardens for visitors around the world. Due to this, tourists can be seen on the way to visit these places. The Foreshore and Boulevard roads also host largest number of hotels for tourists in Srinagar and is maintained by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir regularly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazratbal</span> Town in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Hazratbal is the notified area situated in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the Srinagar city center. The area became famous after the construction of Hazratbal Shrine, where hundreds of thousands of people visit every year because many relics related to the Islamic prophet Muhammad are believed to be there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lal Bazar</span> Locality in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Lal Bazar is a locality in the municipal committee of Srinagar in the Indian administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It comes under the Zadibal constituency of the Srinagar Legislative Assembly. Lal Bazar is a well known posh area in the upper downtown area of Srinagar. The Pincode of Lal Bazar is 190023. Considered amongst the best residential areas in Srinagar the area has many amenities such as major banks and schools along with University of Kashmir,NIT Srinagar, Institute of Technology, University of Kashmir, Zakura Campus, Sher - i - Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences close by, roughly 2 km from Lal Bazar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nallah Mar</span> Canal in Srinagar, India

Nallah Mar or Mar Canal was a navigational canal running through the old city of Srinagar in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It connected the Brari Nambal lagoon to the Khushal Sar lake and thus provided navigability between the Dal and Aanchar lakes. It was filled up and converted to a road in the 1970s.

Brari Nambal, also known as Bab DemborBaba Demb, is a small freshwater lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is connected to the Dal lake via a channel and is therefore sometimes referred to as a lagoon of the Dal lake. Until the 1970s, it had a primary outflow in the form of the Mar Canal, but after the landfilling of this canal, the lake began to lose its glory. It is currently in highly deteriorated condition while efforts to revive it are on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khushal Sar</span> Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Khushal Sar is a lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is in a highly deteriorated condition and has been encroached upon at many places with illegal construction and landfilling. The lake once stretched from Zoonimar up to the Aali Masjid but now it is considerably reduced. It is connected to the Anchar lake via a small channel. Another smaller lake, known as Gilsar, is connected to the Khushal Sar via a narrow strait, which is spanned by a bridge known as Gil Kadal. The Gilsar lake is in turn connected to the Nigeen lake via the Nallah Amir Khan. Until the 1970s, the Mar Canal drained into this lake providing navigability up to Ganderbal via the Anchar lake. After the filling up of the Mar Canal, the condition of the lake deteriorated further.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gil Sar</span> Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Gil Sar is a freshwater lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is in a highly deteriorated condition. The lake is sometimes considered a part of the Khushal Sar lake but is separated from it by a narrow strait, which is spanned by a bridge known as Gil Kadal. The Gilsar lake is connected to the Nigeen lake via the Nallah Amir Khan.

References

  1. "Nigeen lake turned eutrophic". 11 August 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Nigeen Lake-JK Tourism" . Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  3. Unni,K.S. Conservation and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems , p. 122, at Google Books
  4. Press Trust of India (10 June 2015). "J&K govt to take steps for beautification of Nigeen lake". Business Standard. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  5. Peter, Jeff. "Kashmir great lakes trek" . Retrieved 21 June 2023.