Nigeen Lake

Last updated

Nigeen Lake
Nagin Lake (Srinagar).jpg
A view of the Nigeen lake with the 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 famous 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 a usual sight. Its also ideal for swimming, being deeper and less crowded than the Dal lake. [2] The colonial era Nigeen Club is situated on the eastern shore of the lake.

However, as is the problem with other water bodies in the Kashmir Valley, the lake also suffers from encroachments which are deteriorating its water quality and also increasing the risk of floods. As such, the government of Jammu and Kashmir is engaged in taking steps to help improve the condition of the lake and restore it to its original glory. [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.

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 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 Pakistani-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 lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. 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.

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. 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">Ganderbal</span> Town in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Ganderbal is a town and a municipality committee in Ganderbal district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the headquarters of Ganderbal district.It is in Central Kashmir, it has an average elevation of 1,619 metres. It is bordered by district Srinagar in the south, Bandipore to the north, Kargil in the northeast, Anantnag to the south-east and Baramulla in the south-west.The current District Magistrate of Ganderbal is Mr. Shyambir Singh.District Ganderbal is known for its beauty,there are many beautiful places in Ganderbal.Sonmarg is the most famous place in Ganderbal, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is also done in Ganderbal.

<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.

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

Beerwah also pronounced as Beeru is a subdistrict, tourist destination and one of the oldest towns of Jammu and Kashmir and a municipal committee in Budgam district in the Indian administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also one of the oldest tehsils of Jammu and Kashmir with one of the largest towns in Budgam district. Beerwah is 27 km (17 mi) away from the summer capital Srinagar via Bemina, 31 km (19 mi) via Magam, 33 km (21 mi) via Soibugh and 35 km (22 mi) via Budgam. Beerwah subdistrict has 4 tehsils namely Beerwah, Magam, Narbal and Khag. Beerwah is located along the banks of River Sukhnaag.

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

Ramban is a town in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, which is the district headquarters of Ramban district. It lies on the banks of the Chenab river in Chenab Valley on the National Highway-1A at about 120 km from Jammu and about 130 km from Srinagar, making it almost the central point on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

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

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> Tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir

The valleys of Jammu and Kashmir include the Kashmir Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh Valley, and Lidder Valley. Srinagar, with its renowned Dal Lake and Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Bhaderwah, Patnitop, and Jammu are all popular tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the sacred temples of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath each year, which has a substantial impact on the state's economy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganderbal district</span> District in Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Ganderbal (گاندربل) district, or more formally District Ganderdal, is an administrative district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. Ganderbal town is administrative headquarters of district. It was formed in 2007 and has 6 subdistricts (tehsils): Kangan, Ganderbal, Tullamulla, Wakura, Lar, and Gund.

<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">Lolab Valley</span> Valley in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir

The Lolab Valley is a Himalayan valley located in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The entrance to the valley lies 1 km (0.62 mi) east of Kupwara, and the centre of the valley lies 114 km (71 mi) northwest of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an oval-shaped valley 15 miles (24 km) long with an average width of 3 miles (4.8 km). Valley is at an altitude of 1,590 metres above the Sea level.

Anchar Lake is a lake located near Soura area, near the city of Srinagar in Srinagar district of Kashmir, India. Situated close to Ganderbal, the lake is connected with the famous Dal Lake via a channel "Amir Khan Nallah" which passes through Gilsar and Khushal Sar. The lake is in a highly deteriorated condition. In case of flooding, the excessive water of Dal is diverted here.

Pattan is a sub-district, town and a municipal committee in Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

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

Nallah Mar or Mar Canal was a navigational canal running through the old city of Srinagar, 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 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.

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

Khanpursar is a shallow, non-mictic lake in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It lies 24 km north-west of Srinagar city in the village of Khanpur on the right bank of the Jehlum River. The famous Manasbal Lake lies 6 km in the north.

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.