Nigeen Lake (alternatively spelled as Nageen Lake) is a mildly
eutrophic located in
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 ...
,
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 sometimes considered a part of the
Dal lake and is connected to it via a narrow strait.
It is also connected to the
Khushal Sar and
Gil Sar lakes via a channel known as Nallah Amir Khan.
[Unni,K.S. ]
Etymology
The Nigeen lake is surrounded by a large number of
willow and
poplar trees. Hence, it has come to be referred as a "''nageena''", which means "''the jewel in the ring''". The word "''nigeen''" is a local variant of the same word.
Location
The lake is located adjacent to the
Hari Parbat hillock, to the west of the Dal lake.
To its north and west, lie the localities of Baghwanpora and
Lal Bazar while to its north east lies the locality of
Hazratbal, which is known for the famous
shrine.
Present status
The lake is a major tourist attraction in Srinagar, known for its relatively pristine waters as compared to the Dal lake.
Houseboats and
shikaras are a usual sight. Its also ideal for swimming, being deeper and less crowded than the Dal lake.
The colonial era Nigeen Club is situated on the eastern shore of the lake.
However, as is the problem with other water bodies in the
Kashmir Valley
The Kashmir Valley, also known as the ''Vale of Kashmir'', is an intermontane valley concentrated in the Kashmir Division of the Indian- union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The valley is bounded on the southwest by the Pir Panjal Range and ...
, the lake also suffers from encroachments which are deteriorating its water quality and also increasing the risk of floods. As such, the
government of Jammu and Kashmir is engaged in taking steps to help improve the condition of the lake and restore it to its original glory.
References
{{Kashmir Valley
Lakes of Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar
Tourist attractions in Srinagar