Manasbal Lakes

About Manasbal Lake

• Manasbal Lake: It is the deepest natural freshwater lake in Jammu and Kashmir and is known as the “Supreme Gem of all Kashmir Lakes.”
• Location: The lake is located in Ganderbal district, Srinagar, at an altitude of about 1,585–1,600 metres in the Jhelum Valley.
• Surroundings: The lake is surrounded by the Baladar mountains, the Karewa plateau in the north, and the Ahtung hills in the south.
• Size and depth: The lake covers about 2.81 km² and reaches a depth of up to 13 metres (43 feet).
• Water Source: The lake has a drainage basin of about 10 km² and receives water mainly from precipitation.
• Outflow: The outflow of the lake is regulated into the Jhelum River.
• Thermal Stratification: The lake is monomictic, which means it circulates once in a year for a short time.
  • It shows thermal stratification from March to November, with a thermocline depth of 9 metres.
• Ecology and Biodiversity:
  • Rich Aquatic Flora: The lake supports macrophytes, phytoplankton, and extensive growth of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), which blooms during July and August.
  • Diverse Fauna: The lake is home to zooplankton, benthos, and fish such as Schizothorax niger, Schizothorax esocinus, Cyprinus carpio, and Neomacheilus latius.
  • Important Bird Habitat: The lake is one of the largest natural habitats for aquatic birds and supports many migratory birds, making it an important birdwatching site.
• Economic Significance: The lake supports local livelihoods through fishing, water supply, tourism, and the harvesting and marketing of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) rootstocks for food and commercial use.
• Cultural Heritage: The lake has the ruins of a Mughal garden built by Nur Jahan.
  • Near the lake, there are also the ruins of a 17th-century fort and an ancient temple dating to 800–900 AD.