Manasbal Lake, Location, Features, Biodiversity, Challenges

Manasbal Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, in the Safapora area of central Kashmir. It is considered the deepest lake in India with a depth of about 13 metres (43 ft). The name is derived from Lake Manasarovar. It is surrounded by villages like Jarokbal, Kondabal, Nesbal and Gratbal. The lake is known for its clear waters, lotus blooms and historical Mughal garden built by Nur Jahan.

Manasbal Lake Features

Manasbal Lake is a high altitude valley lake with unique hydrology, geography and cultural importance in Kashmir.

• Location: The lake lies at an altitude of about 1,585-1,600 metres in the Jhelum Valley.
• Surroundings: It is surrounded by Baladar mountains, Karewa plateau in the north and Ahtung hills in the south used for limestone extraction.
• Hydrology and Water Source: It has a drainage basin of about 10 km² and lacks major inlet channels, being fed mainly by precipitation and over 1,200 springs, with outflow regulated into the Jhelum River.
• Physical Characteristics: The lake is monomictic with thermal stratification from March to November, thermocline depth of 9 metres and surface water temperature ranging from 6°C in winter to 27.5°C in summer.
• History: The Mughal garden Jaroka Bagh built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake, while nearby ruins of a 17th century fort and an ancient temple (800-900 AD)..

Manasbal Lake Biodiversity

Manasbal Lake supports rich aquatic biodiversity and is an important ecological habitat in Kashmir.

• Aquatic Flora: The lake hosts macrophytes (emerged, submerged, floating) and phytoplankton, with plankton biomass.
• Faunal Diversity: It supports zooplankton, benthos and fish species such as Schizothorax niger, S. esocinus, Cyprinus carpio and Neomacheilus latius, contributing to local fisheries and economy.
• Bird Habitat: Known as the “supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes,” it is one of the largest natural habitats for aquatic birds, making it an important birdwatching site.
• Lotus: Extensive growth of Nelumbo nucifera occurs along the periphery, blooming in July-August, with rootstocks harvested for food and commercial use by locals.

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Manasbal Lake Challenges

The Manasbal Lake faces ecological stress due to both natural and human induced factors affecting its sustainability.

• Eutrophication and Weed Growth: Increased nutrient levels have led to eutrophication, dense growth of Ceratophyllum demersum, reduced species diversity and formation of mono specific weed stands covering about 80% area.
• Water Quality Degradation: Dissolved oxygen levels drop to 2.2 mg/l at the bottom, pH varies between 7.7-8.8 and nitrogen concentration rises significantly, indicating deteriorating water quality.
• Human Induced Pressures: Illegal encroachment, sewage inflow, agricultural runoff and lack of wastewater treatment plants have accelerated pollution and conversion of lake edges into marshy areas.
• Restoration Efforts: The Wular-Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA) initiated restoration in 2007, including de-weeding, dredging, construction of STPs, regulating limestone extraction and developing an 11 km peripheral walkway.