Kashmir’s Dal Lake to get five new tourist villages

The picturesque Dal Lake in Kashmir’s Srinagar will get five new tourist villages–Kachri Mohalla, Sofi Mohalla, Tinda Mohallah, Akhoon Mohalla and a vegetable market–with homestay facilities for tourists, and basic facilities for both tourists and locals.

This project comes under the Tourist Villages Development programme, a Mission Youth initiative.
Dal Lake is already a very popular tourist destination, and locals will also get more opportunities to earn livelihoods with this new initiative. It is aimed to help strengthen the local rural economy. Also, these new tourist villages will be promoted as potential film shooting sites.
Each of the five villages have their own USPs, and each of them will get their uniqueness highlighted so that visitors can have wholesome experiences in these new tourist villages.


Many regions in Jammu and Kashmir are lagging behind when it comes to tourism infrastructure. Under this new initiative, all these potential sites will be developed in the best ways possible so that the locals can also benefit. The best ways are through homestays and local handicrafts. For handicrafts, the concerned department will also provide the local youth with proper training, help them hone their skills and help them find ways to find the right market for their products.
Why Dal Lake?
Dal Lake in Srinagar is the second largest lake and one of the most popular destinations in the state. Tourists are not the only ones who visit this lake. Locals too make use of the lake area for recreation.

Major attractions are the colourful traditional houseboats, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh,
and the floating lotus gardens. The Dal lake area is also one of the best places to see the beautiful chinar trees during the fall season. With the surrounding areas and villages developed, the visitors can experience a lot more than what is available now.

1. Are tourists allowed to do fishing in Dal Lake?
   No, tourists are not allowed fishing in the lake. Fishing in Dal Lake is a commercial activity.
2. When is the best time to visit Dal Lake in Srinagar?
   May through September is the best time to visit and enjoy Dal Lake.
3. When is the best time to enjoy chinar trees in Srinagar?
   October to November is when chinar trees’ leaves turn bright red, mauve, amber and yellow, before shedding. This is the most beautiful time to be in Srinagar.