Wular Lake Srinagar - Climate, How to Reach, Visit Timing

A Splendour Called Wular Lake

Wular Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia and the largest in India, is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in northern part of India. The 16 kilometre long and 10 kilometre wide lake is located 60 kilometres northwest of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Wular Lake acts as the natural flood reservoir for the Jhelum River, which feeds into it. In 1986, the lake was designated as Wetland of national Importance under the Indian government’s Wetlands Programme. In 1990, it was enlisted as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention of 1975.

Wular Lake

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is the northern-most province of India and is located largely in the Western Himalayan mountain system. The state has borders with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in the south, China in the north and east and Pakistan in the west. J&K is a territory of great political dispute between India and Pakistan and India and China. The state features three main areas, namely, Jammu, Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital while Jammu is the winter capital. J&K is quite rightly defined as the ‘Paradise on Earth’ for its sublime natural beauty.

Wular Lake is bestowed with an unparalleled natural beauty. The small island of Zaina Lank, which is said to be built by king Zain-ul-Abidin in the middle of the picturesque lake adds to its charm.

Geographical Aspect

Wular lake has an important role to play in the hydrographic system of the Kashmir Valley for it acts as a big absorption basin for the annual floodwater here. A number of local water bodies like Bohnar, Erin, Madamati and Ningal besides the Jhelum deposit huge amount of silts into the lake. The lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 metres above the sea level and has a depth of 14 metres.

Swans & Cows, Wular Lake [source]

Wular Lake Avifauna

A fascinating natural diversity at Wular Lake supports a wide variety of avifauna. Migratory species like Egzet, Shoveler, Common Pochard and Mallard can be spotted here. Besides, marbled Teal, Short-toed Eagle, Little Cuckoo, Monal Pheasant, Himalayan Pied Woodpecker, Pallas’ Fish eagle, black-eared kite, sparrow hawk, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Chukar Partridge, Blue rock pigeon, Alpine swift, Kashmir roller, common swallow and Golden oriole are some other commonly found in and around the Wular Lake. However, the increasing human encroachment and the consequent polluting of the water body and hunting have posed serious danger to these birds.

Aqua Fauna

Wular Lake is also home and habitat to a large number of fish species, some prominent among them being Cyprinus carpio, Gambusia affinis, Barbus conchonius, Crossocheilus latius, Schizothorax curvifrons and others. Wular lake yields more than 60 per cent of the fish catch in Kashmir Valley and is source of livelihood for great many fishermen.

Attractions in and Around Wular Lake

• Boating on the lake
• Bandipore town
• Hokersar wetland which is a magnificent place for birding
• Manasbal Lake
• Ningal Nullah
• salim ali national park
• Parihaspora
• Khir Bhawani Temple
• Imambara Goom
• Anchar Lake
• Kuker Bagh Lake
• Anatomy Museum

Climate at Srinagar

The climate at Srinagar is humid subtropical with hot summers. Summer extends from June through August while winter stays from December to February, which is also the time when the city experiences snowfall. Average annual rainfall is around 675 mm.

Best Time to Visit Wular Lake

Summer is the best time to visit Srinagar and the Wular Lake. April through June is the best time.

How to Reach Wular Lake

Reaching Srinagar (Wular Lake can be reached by road from Srinagar):

By air

Srinagar is well connected by air with New Delhi, Mujmbai, Chandigarh, Shimla as well as Leh in Ladakh.

By Rail

Srinagar itself has no railway station. Nearest railway station is Jammu which is 305 kilometres away. Jammu is connected with major Indian cities like New Delhi, Bangaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum. Taxi service is available from jammu to Srinagar.

By Road

Srinagar has road links with Jammu (266 km), Pehalgam (87 km), Sonamarg (80 km), New Delhi (808 km), Chandigarh (560 km), Leh (421 km), Kargil (202 km), Katra (249 km), Dalhousie (405 km) and other places. Tourist vehicles are available to tour different parts of J&K from Srinagar.

Accommodation

• Houseboat New Lucky Flower
• Hotel Broadway
• Hotel Vikram
• Green Acre Hotel
• Adoos Hotel
• Heevan Resort
• Hotel Paradise
• Hotel Dar-es-salam
• Swiss Hotel
• Pahaldam Hotel
• Hotel Shangrila
• Bloomingdale Hotel

Other places of attraction in Srinagar

• Dal Lake
• Mughal Gardens
• Kashmir Valley
• Temple of Shankaracharya
• Jama Masjid
• Khanqah-e-mollah
• Hazratbal shrine
• Shalimar Garden
• Pari Mahal