Anchar Lake
| Anchar Lake | |
|---|---|
  Anchar Lake  Anchar Lake | |
| Location | Soura, J&K, India |
| Coordinates | 34°09′N 74°47′E / 34.150°N 74.783°E |
| Type | lake |
| Primary inflows | from Sind River from northern end Khushal Sar from southern end |
| Primary outflows | to Shallabugh Wetland through small outlet channels |
| Surface area | 6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) |
| Max. depth | 1.7 m (5.6 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,583 m (5,194 ft) |
| Frozen | During severe winter |
| Settlements | Anchar, Soura |
Anchar Lake (Urdu pronunciation: [ɑ̃ːt͡ʃɑːr] ; Kashmiri pronunciation: [ãːt͡ʃaːr]) ; lit. 'Pickle') is a lake located in Soura in the Srinagar district of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
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 the Dal is diverted here.[1]
The Shallabugh Wetland extends to include Anchar Lake, which serves as a vital water source for the interconnected wetland ecosystem. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of aquatic life and promoting environmental harmony in the region. This wetland serves as a connecting link between Anchar Lake and the Sind River.[2]
Deterioration
[edit]Once a popular tourist destination, as tourists on shikaras and houseboats used to travel here from Dal Lake, over the years it has deteriorated owing to pollution, large-scale encroachment, and illegal constructions in its surroundings.[3] In the 1990s, when the Nallah Mar was covered to build the Mearplan highway around the western side of Dal, six-foot pipes were laid under the new road to allow Dal to continue to drain into the Anchar lake system, however, the pipes soon clogged due to waste and debris.[4]
Like the Dal Lake and Wular Lake, it is home to the Hanji community, which lives near the lake in an area called Anchar among the locals.
Conservation and Restoration Efforts
[edit]Recognizing the ecological and cultural importance of Anchar Lake, various initiatives have been undertaken to restore and conserve the waterbody:
- Government Initiatives: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has earmarked a ₹4.86 crore project for the restoration and rejuvenation of Anchar Lake. This includes dredging, desilting, and the removal of encroachments.[5]
- Academic Contributions: Researchers from institutions like the University of Kashmir and the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education have conducted studies on the lake's ecological status, providing data to inform restoration strategies.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Floods in Kashmir, Army called out". The Times of India. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Shallabugh Wetland Grows as Eco-Tourism Spot, Urges Collective Conservation". Kashmir Life. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ "Anchar Lake near Srinagar on the verge of extinction". Newstrack India. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "To save a lake: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has launched an ambitious effort to save the Dal lake in Srinagar". Frontline. Vol. 15, no. 11. Frontline. 23 May – 5 June 1998. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Dying Anchar Lake: Rs 4.86 cr project earmarked for restoration". Brighter Kashmir. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ Lone, Aamir Nazir; Bhat, Sheeraz Saleem; Ahmad, Suheel; Mir, Nazim Hamid; Regu, Atufa; Saxena, Anurag; Tariq, Syed; Shabnam, Fayzana (October 2024). "Anchar Lake: Environmental Crisis and Conservation Strategies" (PDF). Agri Articles. 4 (5): 1143–1148. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
External links
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| Glaciers | ||
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| Hill stations and Mughal gardens | ||
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