Govt promises to preserve Char-Chinari in Dal Lake

Rifat Mohidin

Srinagar, October 9

After failing to preserve most of the heritage places in Srinagar, the government today said it was taking all possible steps to protect Char Chinari— a heritage island inside the Dal Lake — to make it a fresh attraction for tourists.

Char-Chinari is a small island with four chinar trees at four corners surrounded by dense and crystal clear waters of Dal Lake with reflection of trees and Zabarwan Mountains visible in the waters.

From decades, the site used to be one of the major attractions for tourists visiting Srinagar but due to the negligence of the government, the place had turned just another ghost place waiting for attention from authorities.

After facing criticism repeated for its failure to protect the heritage places of historic importance in city, the government in the Assembly today said it was taking all possible steps to preserve Char-Chinari.

“The renovation of the park is under progress and we have introduced modern musical concerts at the site. We are also setting up a light and sound show at Char-Chinari and the allotment for same has been already made,” said Minister of Tourism in the Assembly.

The island located inside the Dal Lake is also known as Rupa Lank (silver island) and is marked with the mighty chinar trees at the four corners for which it got the name Char-Chinari.

It is believed that the island has been constructed by Murad Bakhshi, brother of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

The second chinar island, known as Sona Lanka (Gold Island), is located on the other side of the Dal Lake that overlooks the holy shrine of Hazratbal. The two islands have been the major tourist places in the summer capital.