With no water left, Dal Lake’s aquatic life faces grim future

Once a cynosure of all eyes and a top tourist attraction in Dharamsala, Dal Lake at Naddi has gone completely dry. With no water, the serene reflections of the towering deodar trees, which used to grace its greenish waters, have vanished. The lake, considered one of McLeodganj’s most picturesque spots, holds immense cultural and religious importance.

As recently as September 11, after the rainy season, devotees gathered at the lake for the sacred Radha Ashtami bath. Known as ‘Mini Manimahesh’, Dal Lake was a place of religious significance for those who couldn’t undertake the arduous Manimahesh Yatra. It’s believed that until the late 1970s, the lake’s bed was covered in soft, green grass, a fact supported by the presence of the Durveshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on its banks.

Prem Sagar, a traveller and historian, highlighted the lake’s historical importance, especially for the Gaddi community. He recalled how, until the early 1980s, the lake’s water remained clear. However, construction activities in the surrounding areas led to silting, though the lake’s bed remained firm, even withstanding heavy rains. Sagar noted that in 2010, the lake’s water retention capabilities began to decline after plans to introduce boating and increase tourism were disrupted by heavy rainfall, which locals attributed to an angry Nag Devta (serpent deity).

Subsequent efforts to revive the lake, including an ill-planned excavation by the Public Works Department, caused further damage. Recently, the Jal Shakti Department attempted to stop the lake’s seepage by using sand from Rajasthan, but the attempt failed, leaving the lake dry once again. Adding to the tragedy, Dal Lake once teemed with diverse fish species that were never caught due to a local curse. With no water left, the lake’s aquatic life now faces a grim future.

The desolation of Dal Lake not only marks a loss of natural beauty but also raises concerns about the diminishing heritage of Dharamsala and its once-thriving ecosystems.