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{{Short description|Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Manasbal Lake
| image = Wula.jpg
| caption = View of Manasbal Lake
| alt = View of Manasbal Lake
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Manasbal lake within Jammu and Kashmir
| location = [[Ganderbal district]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
| coords = {{coord|34|15|N|74|40|E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| lake_type = Fresh water
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment = {{convert|33|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries = [[India]]
| length = {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/NWIA_Jammu_and_Kashmir_Atlas.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 July 2011 |archive-date=9 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009030215/http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/NWIA_Jammu_and_Kashmir_Atlas.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| area = {{convert|2.81|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|4.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|13|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| volume = {{convert|0.0128|km3|cumi|abbr=on}}
| residence_time = 1.2 years
| shore = {{convert|10.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| elevation = {{convert|1583|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities = Kondabal
}}

'''Manasbal Lake''' is the deepest [[freshwater lake]] found in [[Safapora|the Safapora]] area of [[Ganderbal District|Ganderbal district]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]. Named after the sacred [[Lake Manasarovar|Manasarovar]].<ref name="kas_lake">http://kashmir-tourism.com/jammu-kashmir-lakes-mansabal-lake.htm, Manasbal Lake</ref> The lake is encircled by four villages, viz., Jarokbal, Kondabal, Nesbal (situated on the north-eastern side of the lake), and Gratbal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-03-13|title=Neglect, of Manasbal Lake|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/neglect-of-manasbal-lake/|access-date=2020-10-10|website=Greater Kashmir|language=en-US}}</ref> It's renowned for its lotus blooms ([[Nelumbo nucifera]]) at the periphery of the lake (blooms during July and August) adds to the beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The [[Mughal garden]], called the Jaroka Bagh (meaning bay window), built by [[Nur Jahan]], overlooks the lake.<ref name=Jam_kash>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiainfoweb.com/jammu-kashmir/lakes/mansabal-lake.html |title=Manasbal Lake, Manasbal Lake in Jammu, Lakes in Jammu, Jammu Kashmir Lake Tours, Travelling in Jammu Kashmir |access-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214113038/http://www.indiainfoweb.com/jammu-kashmir/lakes/mansabal-lake.html |archive-date=2012-02-14 }} Mansbal lake</ref>

The lake is a good place for [[birdwatching]] as it is one of the largest natural spawning grounds of Aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the epithet "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes".<ref name=manas_bal>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-57.html |title=Manasbal Lake |access-date=2012-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303215814/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-57.html |archive-date=2012-03-03 }} Manasbal Lake</ref><ref>http://www.mascottravels.com/kashmirlakes.htm kashmir lakes</ref> The rootstocks of the lotus plant, which grows extensively in the lake, are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people.<ref name="kas_lake"/>

==Access==
The lake is approached from [[Srinagar]] by a {{convert|30|km|adj=on}} road via Shadipora, Nasim, and Ganderbal. The road to [[Wular Lake]], the largest lake in [[Kashmir]], passes through this lake via [[Safapora]].<ref name="kas_lake"/>
It is also easy to reach Manasbal from Sonmarg via Ganderbal.

==History==
It is believed to be an ancient lake by locals, but exact dating is yet to be done. Close to the northern shore of the lake are the ruins of a 17th-century fort, called the Jharokha Bagh, built by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]]s, used in the past by caravans traveling from [[Punjab region|Punjab]] to [[Kashmir]].<ref name="kas_lake"/><ref name = manas_bal/>

==Topography ==
The lake is surrounded by the Baladar mountains on the east, by an elevated plateau known as 'Karewa' comprising [[Lake|lacustrine]], [[fluviatile]], and [[loessic]] deposits on the north, and bounded by the Ahtung hills in the south, which are used for limestone extraction.<ref name = manas_bal/>

Along the course of the [[Jhelum River]], the Manasbal Lake falls under the third series of high altitude lakes of the [[Himalayas]] (designated concerning their origin, altitudinal situation and nature of biota they contain) as the valley lakes ([[Dal Lake|Dal]], [[Anchar Lake]], Manasbal etc.) situated at the altitudinal zone of {{convert|1585|–|1600|m|ft|abbr=on}}; the other two types being the high altitude [[wetlands]] (altitude {{convert|1585|-|4000|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}} amsl) of the second series of lakes (Nilnag) in the lower fringes of [[Pir Panjal]] ranges right amid [[pine]] forests, and the glaciated lakes of the first series situated on the inner Himalayas between {{convert|3000|–|4000|m|ft|abbr=on}} amsl (Alipathar, [[Sheshnag Lake|Sheshnag]], Kounsarnag, [[Tar Sar]], [[Marsar Lake|Marsar]], [[Vishansar Lake|Vishansar]], [[Gangbal]], [[Krishansar Lake|Kishan Sar]], [[Tso Kar|Kyo Tso]], [[Pangong Tso]], etc.) which have probably originated during the third Himalayan [[glaciation]].<ref>http://www.ramsar.org/wurc/wurc_mgtplan_india_wular.pdf Comprehensive Management, Action Plan for Wular lake, Kashmir</ref> A fissure is reported to be running from east to west at the centre of the lake.<ref name = ski_sport>http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Jammu-and-Kashmir/Manasbal-Lake-15415.htm Manasbal Lake</ref>

===Land use===
[[File:Manasbal lake3.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Manasbal lake]]
Important vegetation in the catchment of the lake comprises Orchards ([[apple]], [[mulberry]]), some [[Platanus]] (Chinar trees), and [[Salix]] trees. Safar, adjacent to Safapur, contains an extensive grove of [[Platanus orientalis|Chinar]] trees, known as Badshah Boni, royal Chinar, and was planted in imitation of the [[Naseem Bagh|Nasim Bagh]] in Srinagar. [[Maize]], [[Mustard plant|mustard]], and [[wheat]] are generally the main crops grown in the agricultural lands of the catchment. In recent years, land use patterns have changed with more land used for horticulture and also diversion of land for construction purposes.<ref name = manas_bal/><ref name = Jam_kash/>

==Hydrology==
The [[drainage basin]] for the lake, covering an area of {{convert|10|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, has no major inlet channels and is thus fed mainly by precipitation (rain and snow fall) and springs (more than 1,200 springs).<ref>http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/07nov26/news.htm{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Dal look for Manasbal lake soon</ref> Lake water outflows to the [[Jhelum River]] through a regulated outflow channel. The lake is the source of water for fishing and for obtaining food and fodder plants.<ref name="kas_lake"/>

The lake not only provides a source of water but also offers facilities for [[navigation]] and transportation, [[fisheries]], harvesting of economically useful plants, sightseeing, tourism, and recreation.<ref name = manas_bal/>

==Water quality issues==
Some of the [[water quality]] parameters reported relate<ref name = manas_bal/> to:

*The lake is [[monomictic|a monomictic]] mixing type and develops [[thermal stratification]] from March to November. The maximum depth of the [[Thermocline]] is {{convert|9|m}}. [[Hypolimnion]] temperature ranges from {{convert|8.5|C}} to {{convert|11|C}}.
*pH value varied from a maximum of 8.8 on the surface to a minimum of 7.7 at {{convert|11|m}} depth in year over the 12 months.
*DO [mg l-1] value varied from a maximum of 10.4 on the surface to a minimum of 2.2 at the bottom in year over the 12 months.
*Maximum [[Nitrogen]] Concentration (NH4-N [micro l-1] of 13 on the surface and 120 at the bottom of the lake has been reported.
*The lake water temperature varied from a minimum of {{convert|6|C}} in January to {{convert|27.5|C}} in June/July at the surface and correspondingly {{convert|6|C}} and {{convert|19|C}}, at the bottom of the lake.

=== Flora===
Within the lake water, the [[flora]] recorded comprises the following.<ref name = manas_bal/>

*Emerged [[macrophyte]]s, floating macrophytes, submerged macrophytes, and [[phytoplankton]]. In the reported period, the [[biomass]] production due to [[plankton]] was a maximum of 864.9 milligrams/cm2 in June, with a minimum of 54 milligrams/cm2 in December.

==Fauna==
The fauna recorded in the lake includes [[zooplankton]], [[benthos]], and [[fish]]. The economically important fishes reported are:<ref name = manas_bal/>

*Schizothorax niger, S. esocinus, Cyprinus carpio specularis+, C. carpio communis+ and Neomacheilus latius.
Note: + considered economically important

[[Cyprinus]], an exotic species, has proliferated extensively after its introduction in 1956. A decline in the population of indigenous species due to rapid changes in the environment was reported.

== Deterioration of the lake ==
[[Eutrophication]] was recorded and confirmed by the test results in the lake. [[Ceratophyllum demersum]] recorded an increase in the lake area. Dense mono-specific stands have been created by the [[weed]]s. Further, a decrease in species diversity has occurred, an increase in the period of [[Hypoxia (environmental)|anoxic]] conditions, and accumulation of H2S in deeper waters have been reported. [[Pollution]] has also taken place due to a lack of wastewater treatment plants.<ref name = manas_bal/>

[[World Wide Fund for Nature]] (WWF), which conducted an extensive survey of the lake in 1997, attributed the reasons for the deterioration of the lake, particularly on its banks, gradually turning it into a stinking [[marsh]], to the following.<ref name = shafi_wani>http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=23_8_2007&ItemID=57&cat=1, Community participation makes it possible, Arif Shafi Wani</ref>

# Large-scale illegal encroachment on the periphery of [[Ganderbal]] and Qazibagh sides in the form of hundreds of trees, vegetable gardens, toilets, residential structures, garbage dumping sites
# Siltation due to noxious run-off from adjoining fields, stone quarries, and lime kilns;
# The flow of [[sewage]] and the use of [[fertilizers]] in the agricultural fields in its adjoining villages
# 80 per cent of the lake was seen under the thick blanket of weed

WWF recommended several measures to be undertaken for the restoration of the lake.

==Lake restoration works==
It was only in the year 2007 that lake restoration measures could be undertaken with the formation of the Wular-Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA) under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name = shafi_wani/>

WMDA undertook the following measures for restoration and to improve the general environment of the lake.

*Removing the illegal constructions;
*Pedestrian walkway/pathway construction around the lake periphery of {{convert|11|km|mi|abbr=on}}
*Manual de-weeding
*[[Dredging]]
*Demarcation of the lake
*Construction of STPs and
*Regulation of [[limestone]] extraction and [[afforestation]] of mountains to restore the lake's glory
[[File:Manasbal lake2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Manasbal lake from the shade of a Willow tree]]
The chief executive officer of the WMDA has been reported as stating that:
{{Blockquote|It was after long deliberations with locals that we could start work on the lake. We made the locals understand that Manasbal’s conservation was imperative not only from tourism point of view, but for their livelihood too. Now, there is community participation in the restoration process.}}
A [[Shikara]] operator of the Lake area has reported that "there has been a lot of improvement in its condition".

== Hindu temple==
[[File:Anicient Temple.jpg|thumb|An ancient Hindu temple near the eastern and western shores of Manasbal Lake in Kashmir]]
Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority has reported the unearthing of an ancient [[Hindu]] temple on the eastern shore of the Manasbal Lake, built in the traditional architectural style of ancient [[Kashmir]]. The lower half of the temple, which was buried in the earth, was found during the restoration works undertaken for the lake. Dated to 800-900 AD, during [[Avantivarman (Utpala dynasty)|Avantivarman]] or [[Sankaravarman]] rule, based on epigraphic writings, the temple, constructed in local grey stone, has a unique pyramid-shaped rooftop with [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] or floral motifs. It is stated to be a new pilgrimage attraction for pilgrims who visit the cave shrine at [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath]] and the [[Kheer Bhawani]] temple at Tulmulla in [[Ganderbal]] district.<ref>http://news.webindia123.com/news/ar_showdetails.asp?id=711180334&cat=&n_date=20071118 Unique eighth century Hindu temple restored in Kashmir</ref> Other tourist attractions in the lake area are the Manasbal Temple, the ruins of a terraced Mughal garden and sculptured stones of some [[Sufi shrine]]s on the banks of the lake.<ref name = ski_sport/>

==Naval training of NCC==
[[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]] (NCC) started its activities in Kashmir in 1965, but the training facility at Manasbal Lake was abandoned in 1989 due to the deterioration of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/news/jk-indian-navy-to-begin-ncc-training-at-manasbal-lake-after-3-decade-gap-101663160265205.html|title=Indian Navy resumes NCC cadet training at Kashmir's Manasbal lake after 33 years}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/manasbal-lake-restored-after-33-years-for-ncc-naval-wing-training-camp/1128972/|title=Manasbal Lake restored after 33 years for NCC Naval Wing training camp |website=[[ThePrint]] }}</ref> In September 2022, [[Indian Navy|the Indian Navy]] revived its naval training of the [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]] at the Manasbal lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-naval-training-centre-at-manasbal-lake-in-ganderbal-revived-after-33-years-3343822|title=Naval Training Centre At Jammu And Kashmir Lake Revived After 33 Years}}</ref> 100 NCC cadets, including girls from various colleges of Jammu and Kashmir, participate in the camp. A suitable camping site along with adequate infrastructure has been provided by the Manasbal Development Authority on the lakefront. The cadets are trained in various activities like boat pulling, sailing, signalling, and ship modelling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/after-33-years-kashmirs-pristine-manasbal-lake-opens-for-ncc-cadets-again/article65890337.ece|title=After 33 years, Kashmir's pristine Manasbal Lake opens for NCC cadets again|website=[[The Hindu]] }}</ref> Earlier, due to closure, these activities were carried out in [[Nagrota]] and [[Mansar Lake]], Jammu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/after-33-yrs-navy-training-starts-at-manasbal-lake-431729|title=After 33 years, Navy training starts at Manasbal Lake in Ganderbal district}}</ref>

== Water skiing ==
The weather is pleasant in May and August, when the lake offers water [[skiing]], which is now becoming an increasingly popular activity in many rivers and lakes in India. Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department (JKTD) provides essential [[water skiing]] equipment and trained instructors to adventure seekers.<ref>http://www.vacationsindia.com/water-skiing-in-india.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323170605/http://www.vacationsindia.com/water-skiing-in-india.html |date=23 March 2015 }}, Water Skiing in India</ref> The lake's surface sheen and its long length and width attract tourists to the water skiing sport.<ref name = ski_sport/> However, the noise and turbulence of waterskiing boats will change the environment of this last quiet lake and could risk taking away one of its main attractions: Peace. There is still a discussion going on whether or not a more environmentally sensitive form of [[sustainable tourism]] would be more appropriate for this special lake, not to turn it into a second Dal Lake.

==See also==
{{Portal|Lakes}}
*[[Nigeen Lake]]
*[[Nundkol Lake]]
*[[Khanpursar]]
*[[Wular Lake]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* Kondabal http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Kondabal.html
* https://www.myfeeling.in/2021/12/the-secret-of-manasbal-lake.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930215052/https://www.myfeeling.in/2021/12/the-secret-of-manasbal-lake.html |date=30 September 2022 }}

{{Kashmir Valley}}
{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Waters of South Asia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lakes of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Ganderbal district]]
[[Category:9th-century Hindu temples]]

Manasbal Lake - Revision history

Andreasyrt at 00:10, 26 September 2025