DAL LAKE
◇ Dal is a lake in Srinagar, the capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Dal Lake is a misnomer as Dal in Kashmiri means lake.
◇ It is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
◇ It is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.
◇ It covers an area of 11 to 18 square kilometres and is part of a natural wetland including its floating gardens.
◇ The floating gardens, known as “Raad” in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August.
◇ The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin. Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.
◇ The houseboats (Shikaras) are closely associated with Dal Lake which provide accommodation to tourists in Srinagar.