Nilnag (; ; ) is a

freshwater Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. Although the term specifically excludes seawater and brackish water, it does include ...

lake away from Yousmarg in

Budgam Budgam (), known as Badgom (; ) in Kashmiri language, Kashmiri, is a town in Budgam district in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), Jammu and Kashmir, India. In the 2001 census, it was recorded as having a notified area ...

district of

Jammu and Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir may refer to: * Kashmir, the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent * Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), a region administered by India as a union territory * Jammu and Kashmir (state), a region administered ...

, India. It is around away from

Srinagar Srinagar (English: , ) is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is known for its natu ...

, the summer capital of the union territory. The lake is famous for its turquoise water. The route from Yousmarg is rather difficult and unmotorable and goes through a dense forest. The lake's crystal-clear blue water gave it its name: ''nag'' stands for lake (or a spring) and ''nil'' for the blue colour. The location is a great for picnic spot.

History

The lake was Eric Biscoe's favourite destination. Biscoe (died in 1949), who was the founder of Tyndal Biscoe school in Jammu and Kashmir, wanted to be buried by the lake side. To honour his wishes, his ashes were brought and buried there. Hugh Tyndale-Biscoe in his book states:

Access

Nilnag is easily accessible from

or Srinagar Airport (SXR), in under 2–3 hours from car or bus. The routes of Nilnag are from

Chadoora Chadoora ( کٲشُر: ژوڈُر) is a town and a Municipal committee in Budgam district Budgam district is a district in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Created in 1979 with its headquarters at Budgam, it ...

, and then to Buzgu via Nagam. The total distance is about .

By road

Nilnag can be reached in from under 2 hours by car or taxi from Srinagar. The roads have recently been reconstructed, however, at certain places, the roads may be uneven. Another route is from Yousmarg to Nilnag, however, it is only pliable by motorbikes.

By air

The nearest airport is the Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport (Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir). Nilnag is at a distance of from the airport, and it takes about 2 hours by car.

Recent developments

The lake basin in going through shallowing owing to siltation, an indicator of which is the emergent vegetation cover "in the lake littorals". In 2017, Yousmarg Development Authority (YDA) undertook

dredging Dredging is the excavation of material from a water environment. Possible reasons for dredging include improving existing water features; reshaping land and water features to alter drainage, navigability, and commercial use; constructing da ...

of the lake basin. The boundaries were also widened, and huts were built for monitoring.

References

{{reflist Lakes in Jammu and Kashmir Tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir