The world-famous Dal Lake, known for its beauty, is stinking and there are thousands of small fish found dead floating in parts of the lake. The local&nbsp;dwellers on Dal Lake say that they have never seen so many dead fish&nbsp;floating in the lake, while the authorities are saying it's the thermal stratification that has caused the deaths.&nbsp;

The small fish numbering in thousands are dead and floating in various parts of the famous Dal Lake. The people living on the lake said that it was stinking all over due to the dead fish. Some residents say that they have never witnessed such a number of dead fish in the lake.&nbsp;

''The small fish&nbsp;have died and it's stinking all over. Fish used to die but they used to be few and mostly big ones, this time it's the small fish that have died in huge numbers. I have not seen this in my lifetime. God knows how these fish&nbsp;have died and now the authorities should look into it. Cleaning has been happening for two years, we have no idea how this has happened. If they died due to machines used to de-weeding, they should stop the machines and if it's any chemical, then they should answer how these fishes have died. It's a problem for everyone, especially the tourists, as the Dal Lake is stinking,'' said Abdul Rashid, a local.&nbsp;

However, the experts blame the growing pollution for the death of the fish. The water quality of Dal Lake has deteriorated over the last many years. The authorities have been cleaning the lake continuously, but the water quality has not improved yet. Experts say it will take a few more years to clean up the full lake.&nbsp;

''We call this phenomenon fish kill. Wherever there is a stagnant water body, lakes or wetlands, due to pollution load or organic load, there is a natural phenomenon that there will be oxygen depletion due to which fish can die. When the oxygen concentration falls, the fish will die. There are many reasons, it's a polluted water body, and this generally does not happen in clean water bodies. It is always found in those water bodies which have pollution. Dal has a lot of organic waste and a lot of weeds; decomposition increases in summer. Pollution is the main cause,'' said Dr Feroz Ahmad Bhat, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries at SKUAST-K.&nbsp;

The authorities looking after Dal Lake say that this mass death of fish happened due to thermal stratification — a change in the temperature at different depths in the lake. They are saying it is a normal phenomenon and people should not panic.&nbsp;

''We have done the preliminary analysis and found that it's the thermal stratification which has caused it. The lake has a temperature gradient, the lower layers of the lake sometimes have less oxygen due to which this phenomenon happens. There is no need to panic. It's an annual affair. It happened last year and a few years ago it happened on a massive scale in Nigeen Lake. No big fish has been affected. We have taken the samples and we are doing a detailed investigation to know the exact reason, but there is no need to panic. It also happens due to the temperature variation,'' said Bashir Ahmad Bhat, VC, Lakes and Conservation Management Authority (LCMA).

The authorities are now waiting for the final results to come to know the exact cause of the death of the fish in the lake.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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The world-famous Dal Lake, known for its beauty, is stinking and there are thousands of small fish found dead floating in parts of the lake. The local dwellers on Dal Lake say that they have never seen so many dead fish floating in the lake, while the authorities are saying it's the thermal stratification that has caused the deaths.

The world-famous Dal Lake, known for its beauty, is stinking and there are thousands of small fish found dead floating in parts of the lake. The local dwellers on Dal Lake say that they have never seen so many dead fish floating in the lake, while the authorities are saying it's the thermal stratification that has caused the deaths. The small fish numbering in thousands are dead and floating in various parts of the famous Dal Lake. The people living on the lake said that it was stinking all over due to the dead fish. Some residents say that they have never witnessed such a number of dead fish in the lake. ''The small fish have died and it's stinking all over. Fish used to die but they used to be few and mostly big ones, this time it's the small fish that have died in huge numbers. I have not seen this in my lifetime. God knows how these fish have died and now the authorities should look into it. Cleaning has been happening for two years, we have no idea how this has happened. If they died due to machines used to de-weeding, they should stop the machines and if it's any chemical, then they should answer how these fishes have died. It's a problem for everyone, especially the tourists, as the Dal Lake is stinking,'' said Abdul Rashid, a local. However, the experts blame the growing pollution for the death of the fish. The water quality of Dal Lake has deteriorated over the last many years. The authorities have been cleaning the lake continuously, but the water quality has not improved yet. Experts say it will take a few more years to clean up the full lake. ''We call this phenomenon fish kill. Wherever there is a stagnant water body, lakes or wetlands, due to pollution load or organic load, there is a natural phenomenon that there will be oxygen depletion due to which fish can die. When the oxygen concentration falls, the fish will die. There are many reasons, it's a polluted water body, and this generally does not happen in clean water bodies. It is always found in those water bodies which have pollution. Dal has a lot of organic waste and a lot of weeds; decomposition increases in summer. Pollution is the main cause,'' said Dr Feroz Ahmad Bhat, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries at SKUAST-K. The authorities looking after Dal Lake say that this mass death of fish happened due to thermal stratification — a change in the temperature at different depths in the lake. They are saying it is a normal phenomenon and people should not panic. ''We have done the preliminary analysis and found that it's the thermal stratification which has caused it. The lake has a temperature gradient, the lower layers of the lake sometimes have less oxygen due to which this phenomenon happens. There is no need to panic. It's an annual affair. It happened last year and a few years ago it happened on a massive scale in Nigeen Lake. No big fish has been affected. We have taken the samples and we are doing a detailed investigation to know the exact reason, but there is no need to panic. It also happens due to the temperature variation,'' said Bashir Ahmad Bhat, VC, Lakes and Conservation Management Authority (LCMA). The authorities are now waiting for the final results to come to know the exact cause of the death of the fish in the lake. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Thousands of fish dead in Dal Lake, authorities see thermal stratification as reason, experts blame pollution

In a rare discovery, the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) have discovered a rare kind of fish for the first time in Dal Lake. According to the experts, the fish is called an 'Alligator Gar' fish.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) was cleaning the world-famous Dal Lake ahead of the G20 meeting&nbsp;since the venue is near the lake.

While the officials undertook the cleaning, they found the rare fish in the Dal Lake. The officials with the government said that the fish has a crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth.

The 'Alligator Gar' fish is native to North America.

"Our machines were carrying out de-weeding in Dal Lake and suddenly this fish appeared on the machine. For the first time we have seen such a type of fish which is known as the Alligator Gar. It was surprising for all of us, and no one had seen a fish like this which resembles the crocodile. Most of us were shocked. We are analysing the situation and we are seeking support from the fisheries department. We will see if there are more of these fish in the lake," said Masood Ahmad, an expert from J&amp;K LCMA’s research and monitoring department.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<img alt="Alligator Gar Fish" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f28cc69e-04d1-41b2-9065-58c2639b73e7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Image%20%281%29_5.jpeg" />

(Image: Idrees Lone)

Social media is abuzz with videos of the rare fish 'Alligator Gar' being discovered in Dal Lake. The people in the valley and specially those who live on the Dal Lake have shown concern about finding a rare fish in the lake. Some of them even expressed concern and said that the fish could be an invasive species and a threat to natural aquatic life of Dal Lake.

"The Alligator Gar fish has been sighted for the first time in Kashmir. This fish is not harmful, but we don't have any research on it as this is the first time it has been seen here in the Dal Lake,” said Dr Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Dean at the Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kashmir.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-lg-manoj-sinha-inaugurates-first-smart-city-projects-591715 ">Jammu &amp; Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurates first smart city projects</a>

This is not the first time that rare fish have been spotted in the Dal Lake. In 2016, a Grass Carp fish was found, while another was found in Manasbal Lake.

Government officials said that they will look into how and where has the fish come from and how long it has been here. Proper research will be carried out to determine how it reached the lake or whether it poses any danger to&nbsp;the local fish varieties in the Kashmir valley.&nbsp;

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In a rare discovery, the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) have discovered a rare kind of fish for the first time in Dal Lake. According to the experts, the fish is called an 'Alligator Gar' fish.

In a rare discovery, the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) have discovered a rare kind of fish for the first time in Dal Lake. According to the experts, the fish is called an 'Alligator Gar' fish. The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) was cleaning the world-famous Dal Lake ahead of the G20 meeting since the venue is near the lake. While the officials undertook the cleaning, they found the rare fish in the Dal Lake. The officials with the government said that the fish has a crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth. The 'Alligator Gar' fish is native to North America. "Our machines were carrying out de-weeding in Dal Lake and suddenly this fish appeared on the machine. For the first time we have seen such a type of fish which is known as the Alligator Gar. It was surprising for all of us, and no one had seen a fish like this which resembles the crocodile. Most of us were shocked. We are analysing the situation and we are seeking support from the fisheries department. We will see if there are more of these fish in the lake," said Masood Ahmad, an expert from J&K LCMA’s research and monitoring department. (Image: Idrees Lone) Social media is abuzz with videos of the rare fish 'Alligator Gar' being discovered in Dal Lake. The people in the valley and specially those who live on the Dal Lake have shown concern about finding a rare fish in the lake. Some of them even expressed concern and said that the fish could be an invasive species and a threat to natural aquatic life of Dal Lake. "The Alligator Gar fish has been sighted for the first time in Kashmir. This fish is not harmful, but we don't have any research on it as this is the first time it has been seen here in the Dal Lake,” said Dr Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Dean at the Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kashmir. Also Read | Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurates first smart city projects This is not the first time that rare fish have been spotted in the Dal Lake. In 2016, a Grass Carp fish was found, while another was found in Manasbal Lake. Government officials said that they will look into how and where has the fish come from and how long it has been here. Proper research will be carried out to determine how it reached the lake or whether it poses any danger to the local fish varieties in the Kashmir valley. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

India: Rare Alligator Gar Fish found in Dal Lake of Kashmir

The government of Jammu and Kashmir is working hard to restore the beauty and water quality of the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. After decades, the government is opening 20 navigation channels in the Dal Lake, which will help to improve the quality of water and free movement of locals and tourists into the interiors of the lake. The government is also laying a sewage system for the houseboats to dispose of the waste in the treatment plant.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Dal Lake is considered the Jewel in the Crown of the Kashmir Region, but the Lake has been dying a slow death due to Pollution and Illegal Encroachments over the years. And now finally, the government and Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) are working on the restoration of the Lake to its pristine water quality and opening of the navigation channels which have been closed for decades. Around 20 navigation channels are being opened and restored in Dal Lake. This will help the people to navigate freely in the lake while also improving the quality of the water.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
''We are working on 20 navigation channels at the moment, work on seven of the channels has been completed and work is going on for 13 more. We are hoping that the work will be completed by the end of this year. Navigation channels are very important for the inhabitants living on the lake, It helps them to move easily. The tourists get to see the interiors of the lake and moreover have an in-depth look into the lake. The water quality also improves due to the opening of these navigation channels, these channels help water to circulate. Dal Lake has a lot of aquatic life, the more these channels would be opened the more the aquatic life would spread. The work on these channels has been started after around two decades,'' said Tanvir Ayub, AEE, Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-army-and-police-bust-militant-terrorist-hideout-in-jks-kishtwar-540001">Indian Army and police bust militant terrorist hideout in J&amp;K’s Kishtwar</a> 
&nbsp; 
Opening these Navigation channels around the Dal Lake will not only help the local inhabitants of the lake but also the tourists coming to Srinagar. Dal Lake is among the most frequently visited places by tourists in the Kashmir region and by opening these channels, tourists can get to see the interiors of the lake.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
''It helps the lake as well as the inhabitants of the lake. Their manoeuvring, they can navigate easily plus the tourists can see the inner side of Dal Lake, the water circulation would be better, and the quality of water will improve as well. Almost all the channels were blocked. We are opening them and widening them as well. We are getting support from locals in helping us to beautify the lake,'' said Masood Ahmad Khan, Official LCMA.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The locals living on the lake say this will help them further in taking tourists to the interiors of various areas of the city via Dal Lake.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
''It will help us a lot to move around the lake. Tourists can also visit the interiors of the lake after opening of these channels. It will beautify the lake and its great work being carried out by the authorities. Due to the opening of these channels, we will be able to move around easily on the lake,'' said Suhail Ahmad, Local. 
&nbsp; 
One of the Major pollutants for the Lake has been the sewage coming from the houseboats on the Lake. With more than 600 houseboats on the lake, there has not been a proper sewage system in place for these houseboats. Most of the waste coming from these houseboats has been dumped in the lake. &nbsp;And now the government is laying a sewerage network for these houseboats. Floating pipes have been laid from where all the waste would be collected at a chamber and later shifted to the closest treatment plant. This will help clean the lake and to nurture the aquatic life in the lake.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-police-bust-extortion-racket-in-south-kashmir-five-arrested-539466">India: J&amp;K Police bust extortion racket in South Kashmir, nab five; toy guns &amp; pistols seized</a> 
&nbsp; 
''There are around 600 houseboats on Dal Lake, they have been divided into eleven clusters and initially we are taking the sewerage network of the houseboats for cluster number two in which we have around 70 houseboats to check the inflow of sewage into the lake. We have laid 200 mm HD Pipes, the network will be all floating, finally the sewage generated by the houseboats will be collected in a chamber from where it will be lifted to the nearest sewer line where it will be treated. The sewage generated by the houseboats used to go into the lake, and now with these steps the water quality will improve. The houseboat owners have to understand that it has to be a joint effort between people and the government. The waste has to be disposed of properly, '' said Tanvir Ayub, AEE, Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA).&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The houseboat community living on the lake is extremely excited about the step taken by the government. They say that it will keep the lake alive for generations to come.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
''This was extremely important, and it will add to the charm of the Lake. It will be like the old days. The Dal Lake is famous, and our tourists always used to ask about the drainage system of these houseboats and now with these sewage pipes and system in place, it will be a cleaner lake. It's a great step for all of us. It's great for the new generations as well. Dal lake is the pride, and we need to do everything to save the lake, '' Farooq Ahmad Dar, Local.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Srinagar has been named among the top places to visit in 2023 and Dal Lake has been called the most exquisite sight to visit.&nbsp;

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The government of Jammu and Kashmir is working hard to restore the beauty and water quality of the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. After decades, the government is opening 20 navigation channels in the Dal Lake, which will help to improve the quality of water and free movement of locals and tourists into the interiors of the lake.

The government of Jammu and Kashmir is working hard to restore the beauty and water quality of the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. After decades, the government is opening 20 navigation channels in the Dal Lake, which will help to improve the quality of water and free movement of locals and tourists into the interiors of the lake. The government is also laying a sewage system for the houseboats to dispose of the waste in the treatment plant. Dal Lake is considered the Jewel in the Crown of the Kashmir Region, but the Lake has been dying a slow death due to Pollution and Illegal Encroachments over the years. And now finally, the government and Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) are working on the restoration of the Lake to its pristine water quality and opening of the navigation channels which have been closed for decades. Around 20 navigation channels are being opened and restored in Dal Lake. This will help the people to navigate freely in the lake while also improving the quality of the water. ''We are working on 20 navigation channels at the moment, work on seven of the channels has been completed and work is going on for 13 more. We are hoping that the work will be completed by the end of this year. Navigation channels are very important for the inhabitants living on the lake, It helps them to move easily. The tourists get to see the interiors of the lake and moreover have an in-depth look into the lake. The water quality also improves due to the opening of these navigation channels, these channels help water to circulate. Dal Lake has a lot of aquatic life, the more these channels would be opened the more the aquatic life would spread. The work on these channels has been started after around two decades,'' said Tanvir Ayub, AEE, Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA). Also read | Indian Army and police bust militant terrorist hideout in J&K’s Kishtwar Opening these Navigation channels around the Dal Lake will not only help the local inhabitants of the lake but also the tourists coming to Srinagar. Dal Lake is among the most frequently visited places by tourists in the Kashmir region and by opening these channels, tourists can get to see the interiors of the lake. ''It helps the lake as well as the inhabitants of the lake. Their manoeuvring, they can navigate easily plus the tourists can see the inner side of Dal Lake, the water circulation would be better, and the quality of water will improve as well. Almost all the channels were blocked. We are opening them and widening them as well. We are getting support from locals in helping us to beautify the lake,'' said Masood Ahmad Khan, Official LCMA. The locals living on the lake say this will help them further in taking tourists to the interiors of various areas of the city via Dal Lake. ''It will help us a lot to move around the lake. Tourists can also visit the interiors of the lake after opening of these channels. It will beautify the lake and its great work being carried out by the authorities. Due to the opening of these channels, we will be able to move around easily on the lake,'' said Suhail Ahmad, Local. One of the Major pollutants for the Lake has been the sewage coming from the houseboats on the Lake. With more than 600 houseboats on the lake, there has not been a proper sewage system in place for these houseboats. Most of the waste coming from these houseboats has been dumped in the lake. And now the government is laying a sewerage network for these houseboats. Floating pipes have been laid from where all the waste would be collected at a chamber and later shifted to the closest treatment plant. This will help clean the lake and to nurture the aquatic life in the lake. Also read | India: J&K Police bust extortion racket in South Kashmir, nab five; toy guns & pistols seized ''There are around 600 houseboats on Dal Lake, they have been divided into eleven clusters and initially we are taking the sewerage network of the houseboats for cluster number two in which we have around 70 houseboats to check the inflow of sewage into the lake. We have laid 200 mm HD Pipes, the network will be all floating, finally the sewage generated by the houseboats will be collected in a chamber from where it will be lifted to the nearest sewer line where it will be treated. The sewage generated by the houseboats used to go into the lake, and now with these steps the water quality will improve. The houseboat owners have to understand that it has to be a joint effort between people and the government. The waste has to be disposed of properly, '' said Tanvir Ayub, AEE, Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA). The houseboat community living on the lake is extremely excited about the step taken by the government. They say that it will keep the lake alive for generations to come. ''This was extremely important, and it will add to the charm of the Lake. It will be like the old days. The Dal Lake is famous, and our tourists always used to ask about the drainage system of these houseboats and now with these sewage pipes and system in place, it will be a cleaner lake. It's a great step for all of us. It's great for the new generations as well. Dal lake is the pride, and we need to do everything to save the lake, '' Farooq Ahmad Dar, Local. Srinagar has been named among the top places to visit in 2023 and Dal Lake has been called the most exquisite sight to visit. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dal Lake: 20 navigation channels opened after decades, sewage pipes laid for houseboat waste disposal

One of the most endearing sights of Kashmir that draw tourists to this valley are the houseboats on the Dal and Nagin lakes.

The story of houseboats in Kashmir | One-of-a-kind living experience | Dal Lake

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Thousands of fish dead in Dal Lake, authorities see thermal stratification as reason, experts blame pollution

India: Rare Alligator Gar Fish found in Dal Lake of Kashmir

Dal Lake: 20 navigation channels opened after decades, sewage pipes laid for houseboat waste disposal

The story of houseboats in Kashmir | One-of-a-kind living experience | Dal Lake