NASIR YOUSUFI
Srinagar: Despite the captivating magnificence surrounding, the lake mesmerizing the on-lookers, the nearly deserted lawns, mute surroundings and the empty Shikaras also form a part of day’s look of the Manasbal Lake. Situated about 30 kms from Srinagar in the Ganderbal district, the lake is surrounded by three villages, Kondabal, Jarokbal and Gratbal.
Believed to be the deepest lake of the Kashmir Valley, Manasbal Lake is also known as the “Supreme gem of all Kashmir lakes”. On the northern shore of the lake stand the ruins of Mughal fort built in 17th century.
From the south, there is a hillock-Ahtung that overlooks the lake. Precipitation and spring water inflow are the major water sources of the lake. Despite the lake having been developed as a tourist destination, Manasbal still yearns for the tourism activity to its optimum potential.
Amidst the serene and inspiring surroundings, unlike Mughal gardens and Dal lake, there is very less presence of visitors at the destination. The big lush green lawns around its shore are almost sans people. As there is absence of any eminent footfall of visitors, the Shikaras docked on the shore side seem stagnant. In contrast to Dal lake, the water taxis or Shikaras look shabby and quite unattended.
“There is hardly any work for us in most part of the year. It is only during few months of summer we get some work. In times when there is a record footfall of tourists in the valley, many of the days pass without getting a customer,” rues Ghulam Mohammad Dar, a Shikara Wala from Safarpora, Manasbal. “I have served for almost 30 years as a rowing Shikara for the visitors. But now for past many years, there is a lack of any work here and I have been rendered workless.”
“At this stage of life what else can I do?” asks Dar. “Switching work, I tried to work as a labourer at construction sites, but my health did not permit. I have to support the family of five members.”
Apart from working as a Shikara Wala, Ghulam Mohammad Dar also functions as a president of Shikara Wala Association in Manasbal.
Since the place already receives a meager number of visitors, it has left the tourism dependent people in lurch. Hameed Manasbali, a Shikara Wala and a vice president of the Manasbal Shikara Wala Association also deplores the lack of work.
“This place is used to receive lesser number of tourists and that too only in the few months of summer,” Manasbali says. According to Manasbali, among the tourists visiting the destination, most of the people are local visitors. There are very few tourists from outside valley, who throng the place, adds Manasbali. “Local visitors seldom board our Shikaras, so our all hopes of work are with the tourists. But unfortunately they are as few… We hardly earn Rs 800 to Rs 1000 for a ride or two in a day, while passing the most of the months idle,” explains Manasbali.
Grappling with the lack of regular work and that too in the peak season of summer, the Shikara wallas have to face the traditional joblessness during winters.
“As soon as the month of November approaches, you can hardly see any visitors to this place. The destination is virtually shut till April,” says Mushtaq Ahmad, another Shikara owner from Manasbal. In order to keep the pot boiling at home, we have to switch to other works to earn some living, Mushtaq says. “As most of us, pass the six months at our houses doing some chores just to pass the time, a very few among us switch to some menial works like needle work. Though needlework is available most of the time, its returns are so meager to run the household,” Ahmad laments. In a bid to promote the place as a world class tourist destination, government has already constituted Manasbal Development Authority , an agency to look after and develop the place as prime tourist destination.
According to Hamied Manasbali, the authority should strive to make Manasbal an all weather destination. “It is very important, as the same would help in assuring the constant tourism activity in the area.”
Manasbali says that we appeal the concerned authorities to provide financial assistance and launch welfare schemes to help the tourism related fraternity in the area.
Last year the department distributed some life saving equipments among the Shikara Wallas. “But only a half of them were benefitted, As there are about 90 Shikara Wallas registered with the Association,” Ghulam Mohammad says.
“Our Shikaras need repairs and renovation. Without money, how can we do it?”asks Ghulam Mohmmad, the president of Manasbal Shikara wala Association while appealing the concerned authorities to come to the rescue of the heritage trade.