Ucchali Lake

Ucchali Lake

Complex: Tucked in the southern periphery of the Salt Range and hemmed in by its higher cliffs, is a cluster of natural lakes — Ucchali, Khabbeki and Jhallar in district Khushab. These lakes are said to be 400 years old, maybe more. The lakes are a prime sanctuary for the migratory birds and were declared a protected sanctuary for the native and migratory avifauna on the appeal of World Wildlife Fund. Nestled at about 800 meters above the sea, lakes have some marsh vegetation and are mostly surrounded by cultivated land, which is picturesquely intersected by hillocks. The lakes are fed by the spring, seepage from adjacent areas, and run off from the neighbouring hills of the historic Salt Range. The lakes are one of the most important wintering areas for the rare white-headed ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) in Pakistan that comes here from Central Asia. Locals believe that there is a volcano hidden beneath the surface of the Ucchali Lake due to which the colour of the water keeps changing. The appearance of a vert broad and brightly coloured rainbow in 1982 for consecutive 15 days is also attributed to this analogy. in 1982, a strange phenomenon was observed in the villages Ucchali and Dhadhar. The lakes’ water is also said to cure gout and skin diseases. People have been taking the water from the lakes as far as Lahore and Karachi. People think that a pure white winged creature called Great egret, from Grus family, found in the area is a symbol of longevity.

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Saif ul Muluk Lake

                               Saif ul Muluk Lake in Kaghan Valley

The lake is located in the northern end of Kaghan Valley. At an altitude of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level, it is amongst one of the highest lakes in Pakistan. The lake rests under the foot hills of mighty Malika Parbat mountain, whose reflection shines in the lake and gives an awesome captivation. It is speculated that an underground river empties into the lake; which is why its depth is unknown. Malika Parbat at 5,290 metres (17,356 ft) is the highest mountain in Kaghan valley. The lake is accessible by a 14 km jeep road from Naran (which is accessible by a metalled road from Mansehra via Balakot and Kaghan) during the summer months. On foot, the trek from Naran to the lake takes about 4-6 hours. The water is clear with a slight green tone. The clarity of the water comes from the multiple glaciers all around the high basin feeding the lake which provides a good scenery. The lake also lies on the path of another high altitude lake called Ansoo Lake or Ansoo Jheel. The lake is famous for its fairytale of Saiful Maluk written by the famous poet Mian Muhammad Baksh.

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Manchar Lake

                                                       Manchar Lake
 
Manchar Lake located at a distance of about 18 kms from Sehwan Sharif, district Dadu, west of the River Indus is by far the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan and one of the largest in Asia. It is a vast natural depression flanked by the Khirthar hills in the west and the Laki hills in the south. The area of the lake fluctuates with the seasons from as little as 350 km² to 520 km². The lake collects water from numerous small streams in the Kirthar Mountains and empties into the Indus River. It provided a livelihood for a large number of fishermen, irrigation water for various crops and aquatic plants including lotus. The lake was created in the 1930's when the Sukkur Barrage was constructed on the river Indus. The lake is fed by two canals , the Aral Wah Canal and the Danister Canal from the river Indus. Until recently the lake supported thousands of fisher folk who depended on the freshwater fish they caught in the lake. However, the lake is now undergoing environmental degradation resulting in the water becoming saline killing off the fish and forcing the fisher folk to look elsewhere for employment. Until recently, the lake was a stop-off on the Indus flyway for Siberian migratory birds, but now the numbers have fallen from 25,000 birds counted in 1988 to just 2800 bird counted in 2002, because the lake no longer provides the birds' main food, the lake fish. In the place of the birds, the lake now hosts a saline water reed.

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Hana lake - Quetta

Hana lake - Quetta 

Balochistan province is otherwise a water starved province, hence no big wetlands can be seen. With the coming up of a number of dams, however, the number may increase. Presently Hana Lake near the capital city of Quetta is the life line for inhabitants of Quetta and surrounding areas - located ten kilometres from Quetta at the confluence of Urak Valley. The picturesque lake with its greenish- blue water portrays a rich contrast to the sandy brown of the hills in the back ground. The Lake had its tourist attraction and boats are available to row around the lake. In sever weather conditions, the lake dries up and threatens the very existence of human and animal life.

The Norther Areas and the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan is a Heaven on Earth. It provides spectacular view of some of the beautiful and breathtaking sceneries around the world. Its lakes with crystal clear blue icy waters are wonders of their own kind - no where found anywhere else.

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Haleji Lake

             Haleji Lake

 Located in Thatta District, 70 km (about 52 miles) from Karachi, the lake is Asia's largest bird sanctuary where every winter, thousand of migratory birds come from as far as Siberia. The migratory birds include Dalmatian Pelican, European Wigeon and Black Coot. Thousands of Black-crowned Night Heron roost in the area.  As many as 223 bird species have been recorded in the environs of Haleji lake. For instance, osprey, Pallas's fish eagle, Buzzards, Harriers, falcons, Wigeon, coot, shoveller, pintail, Teals, Mallard, heron, Jacana, flamingos and some times Bewick's swan.

In Punjab province there are a number of man made and natural lakes that are essential for the stopover of the migratory birds beside a source of natural vegetation, fisher and provision of water for the locals.

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Dudipatsar Lake

Dudipatsar Lake
 The lake lies in the extreme north of Kaghan Valley at a height of 3,800 meters amid green hills reaching up to 4,800 meters. The Lake sits amid snow clad mountains and presents a heavenly scenery. The word "dudi" means white and "sar" means lake. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow at surrounding peaks. In summer the water of lake reflects like a mirror. Its not easy to visit this lake as there is tough hike. It takes about four to six hours to reach the lake after tough hiking and trekking from the last defocussing point. See some of its spectacular pictures. Its water is beautiful greenish blue and very cold too Dudipatsar is also close to another major Lake lulusar which is main contributory to Kunhar river that runs through Kaghan valley. At a distance from the lake lies the Babusar top or the Babusar Pass which is the end of 150 km long Kaghan valley.

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