Dal Lake

Srinagar is called a city of lake; the Dal Lake Is the very famous lake situated here, it’s connected, with a number of other lakes of the Kashmir Valley. Its approximately 500 Victorian-era wooden houseboat, it was originally built as vacation homes for British administrators during the British rule in the Indian Subcontinent.The Dal Lake covers 18 square kilometers, and is divided by causeways into four basins, called Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin. Lokut-Dal and Bod-Dal have an island each in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.Along most of the shore of the lake is a boulevard, lined with Mughal-era gardens, parks, and hotels. During the winter season the lake sometimes freezes over.

The lake has some interesting flora and fauna. The flora include lotus flower, water lillies and water chestnuts. Notable birds are kingfishers and heron.Apart from the houseboats, the Lake and Waterways Dal Authority allows kayaking, canoeing, water surfing and licensed angling on the lake.Wi-Fi internet access was implemented across the lake in November 2003, making it the first lake in the world to provide wireless internet connectivity. Uncontrolled macrophytic growth, introduction of exotic species like azolla , salvinia etc and silt are major problems affecting the lake.