Dal Lake: J&K Shelves ₹416.72-Crore Restoration Plan
Why in the news
The Jammu and Kashmir government dropped its ₹416.72-crore plan to restore Dal Lake. In its place it proposed conservation on the spot, so that people living in the lake can remain there.
About Dal Lake
- An urban freshwater lake and wetland in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K.
- Nicknamed the “Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir”.
- Supports tourism, fisheries, floating agriculture and local livelihoods.
- Mughal gardens such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh lie around it.
Origin
- Belongs to the Kashmir Valley lacustrine system.
- Shaped by tectonic and glacial action on the Himalayan basin.
- Part of a bigger interlinked wetland complex.
Policy shift
| Earlier approach | New proposal |
|---|---|
| ₹416.72-crore restoration plan | In-situ conservation strategy |
| Plan now shelved | Residents allowed to remain in the lake ecosystem |
Exam angle
- Location: Srinagar.
- Gardens nearby: Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh.
- Term to know: in-situ conservation.