Context
Security arrangements were recently reviewed at Mansar Lake, a key tourist site in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.
About Mansar Lake
- Mansar Lake is a freshwater lake located about 62 km from Jammu city and 19 km from Samba town, situated in the foothills of the Shivalik range.
- The lake is oval-shaped, surrounded by lush green hills and forests, and is among the largest lakes in the region, measuring roughly 1 km in length and 0.5 km in width.
- It is primarily fed by rainwater and underground springs, maintaining its freshwater ecosystem.
- Mansar Lake holds strong religious and cultural significance, attracting devotees for generations.
- The Sheshnag Temple on its eastern bank is a major site where devotees offer milk & prayers to serpent deity, along with other nearby shrines like Durga Temple & Umapati Mahadev Temple.
- Ecologically, the lake is rich, supporting around 207 species of algae along with diverse fish and waterfowl species.
- Along with its twin Surinsar Lake, it was designated a Ramsar Wetland site in 2005, recognising its ecological importance.
