Srinagar, Sept 21 (NationPress) Over one-third of the renowned Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city has been revitalized, expanding the lake's area to 20.3 sq km in the past five years, according to L-G Manoj Sinha on Sunday.

On the same day, the L-G participated in a cleanliness initiative at the Dal Lake, focusing on the removal of weeds and unwanted aquatic vegetation.

In a post shared on X, he stated, "As part of Sewa Parv, I joined the Dal Lake Cleanliness Drive. In the past five years, efforts to preserve Dal-Nigeen Lake and its surrounding catchment area have been executed in a mission-oriented manner. The lake is now cleaner and drawing numerous domestic and international tourists.

"More than one-third of the lake has been rejuvenated, with extensive areas cleared of Lilies, increasing the open expanse of Dal Lake to over 20.3 sq km for the first time. I urge citizens to engage in the conservation of lakes, rivers, and other water bodies through community participation," his post continued.

Known as the natural lungs of Srinagar, which hosts over 1.26 million residents, the Dal Lake serves as the primary tourist attraction and sustains aquatic life while supporting the livelihoods of thousands.

It is an urban lake, recognized as the second largest in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most frequented site in Srinagar by both tourists and locals. It plays a crucial role in tourism and recreation within the Kashmir Valley, often referred to as the 'Lake of Flowers', 'Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir', or 'Srinagar's Jewel'.

The lake also serves as a vital resource for commercial fishing and aquatic plant harvesting. Its shoreline, approximately 15.5 km long, is adorned with a boulevard featuring Mughal gardens, parks, houseboats, and hotels.

Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the lake from the shoreline and Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, which were created during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, as well as from houseboats navigating the lake on colorful Shikaras.

In winter, temperatures can plummet to as low as -11 degrees Celsius, causing the lake to freeze. It spans 18 sq km and is part of a natural wetland covering 21.1 sq km, including its floating gardens.

The floating gardens, known as "Raad" in Kashmiri, bloom with lotus flowers during the months of July and August. This wetland is divided by causeways into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nigeen (the latter is often regarded as a separate lake).

Both Lokut Dal and Bod Dal feature islands at their centers, identified as Rupa Lank (also known as Char Chinari) and Sona Lank, respectively.

Currently, the Dal Lake and the surrounding Mughal gardens are undergoing extensive restoration to combat significant eutrophication issues.

The union government is investing around Rs 11 billion to restore the lake to its former glory.