1. It is famous for its lakes, clear water 11 .4 km2,
Streams, green turf, magnificent trees and mighty mountains.
The Dal Lake is situated in the heart of Srinagar city on the
foothills of the Zabarwan hills.
This lake is one of the main source of attraction for tourists.
This lake is also main source of income for many people living
in its catchment area.
This lake is natural habitat of for many species.
This lake is home for many migratory birds which came here
after covering a long distance from Siberia during winter.
Macrophyte flora recorded in the lake's aquatic and marshland
environment consists of 117 species, belonging to 69 genera
and 42 families
Unfortunately this like is at the brink of extinction due to
various reasons.
DAL LAKE- SOME FACTS
2. The total population living within the outer
catchments of Dal Lake has been estimated at
1,78,000.
There has been a substantial population
growth of the people living in the Lake area
also.
The number of people living in the hamlets
within the Dal Lake is estimated to be about
50,000 comprising 6000 families.
3.
4. Erosion of mountainous Catchment results in heavy quantities of
silt flowing into the lake system 80,000 tonnes per year 40,000 to
50,000 tones of dead weed
17 drains
18 tons of P, 25 t of N/year
The results revealed higher values for nitrogen, showing the
excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the floating gardens of
the lake and agricultural fields
Phosphate values also remained on the higher side indicating the
eutrophic nature of the lake.
The values for iron were also high, while as the results for
alkalinity revealed that the lake waters fall under the category of
hard waters
REASONS OF POLLUTION AND AGING
11. Alisma plantago-aquatica, also known as European
water-plantain, common water-plantain or mad-dog
weed, is a perennial flowering plant widespread across
most of Europe and Asia
Alisma plantago-aquatica is a hairless plant that grows
in shallow water, consists of a fibrous root, several
basal long stemmed leaves 15–30 cm long, and a
triangular stem up to 1 m tall.
It has branched inflorescence bearing numerous
small flowers, 1 cm across, with three round or slightly
jagged, white or pale purple petals.
12. The flowers open in the afternoon. There are 3 blunt green sepals, and
6 stamens per flower. The carpels often exist as a flat single whorl. It flowers from
June until August
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Alismataceae
Genus: Alisma
Species: A. plantago-aquatica
Binomial name
Alisma plantago-aquatica
13. Proposed strategy
Ecological approach: Afforestation,
Checking soil erosion in catchment areas using all the
engineering and agronomic measures Setting up
water desiltation and treatment plants on all the
drains
Educating and training the farmers about the scientific use
of weeds for composting/ vermicomposting
Checking the encroachments strictly which needs a
political will
Dredging the weeds from the bottom
Spot application of herbicides needs to be evaluated
Encouraging organic farming in the catchment areas