Dal lake fair begins
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 27
The three-day Dal lake fair began with fervour after inauguration by Minister
for Industries Kishan Kapoor. Motivated by religious devotion, a large number of
devotees from across the district transcended to the lake despite its water
being drained by the district administration for de-silting operation.

The devotees had to content themselves with taking bath in small "kunds"
(natural water sources).

The minister, while speaking on the occasion, said a master plan had been
envisaged to develop the entire Dal lake area. Over the year, the depth of the
lake had reduced due to silting from adjoining hills. The lake was now being
de-silted up to a level of about 10 feet, he added.

The administration also has the proposal for flooring the bottom of the lake.
However, many people are critical of the proposal. They are of the view that it
might reduce the water seeping from hills into the lake. In many cases, ponds in
hills, that were provided with concrete lining, failed the objective of storing
water.

The mid-altitude Dal lake is located at a distance of about 11 km from
Dharamsala in Tota Rani village.

The lake, which is a natural water body at a height of 1,775 metres from the sea
level, is surrounded by deodar trees and is a tourist attraction. Local
residents consider it sacred as there is a Shiva temple located on its banks.