Like other water bodies of Jammu and Kashmir, the sacred Surinsar lake near Jammu is also being polluted by government functionaries who have laid a broad pipe to flush filth of the nearby village into the waters of the lake. This has been done out of the funds provided by the Centre and the state government for beautification of the lake.

A separate development authority for the twin sacred lakes of Surinsar and Mansar was set up a few years ago but instead of spending the financial grants for beautification of the tourist spot, infrastructure to spoil the sanctity of the lakes was being created.

To reach Surinsar, tourists and pilgrims have to drive through half-built roads that have not been repaired for the past many years. All sorts of garbage, including plastic bottles and mud, is seen flowing into the lake through a broad pipe that has been laid by the development authority.

Haphazard construction of shops was going on in the locality that has started attracting a large number of tourists.

Surinsar is a picturesque spot with a lake surrounded by wooded hills making it a perfect photography destination. Surinsar and Mansar have developed as tourist destinations because of their own beauty as the J&K government virtually gives step-motherly treatment to these places which hardly find any space in the official tourism campaign.

The Surinsar and Mansar lakes were designated as part of the Ramsar Convention in November 2005. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the Convention was signed in 1971.

People visiting here feed the large number of “sacred” fish with flour balls. Selling raw flour rolls has become an attractive business for some local boys and elderly persons.

A local villager, Ramesh Kumar, says on Sundays and other holidays he earns about Rs 2500 out of a bag of flour that he purchases for around Rs 300. He sells each roll for Rs 10 and makes about 450 such rolls out of each bag.

Surinsar and Mansar lakes have been included in the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP) for financial assistance. These lakes also get funds under the scheme for conservation and management of wetlands. A sum of Rs 1.78 crore received under the PMRP was spent on development of these lakes between 2008 and 2015.

The boundary of this lake is surrounded by thick mangroves, looming pine trees and beautiful hills. An island situated in the middle of this land is home to thousands of bats.

As per Hindu mythology, the origin of Surinsar Lake goes back to the time of Mahabharat. It is said that the brave Pandava warrior Arjun shot an arrow into the ground at Mansar which emerged far away at Surinsar. This is how both lakes came into existence.

Situated at a distance of 42 km from Jammu, Surinsar lake’s beauty and natural splendor can be compared with the magnificence of Dal and Nagin Lakes of Srinagar. The Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled in the midst of both the lakes and supports three mammalian species and 15 avifauna species, including crane.

Surinsar lake, with its abundant natural beauty, is an ideal getaway for someone looking for tranquility and peace of mind. The quietness of forests around adds to the serenity of this lake that is dominated by floating lotuses in summer. Boating and swimming in this lake is restricted due to religious beliefs. A bird sanctuary around the lake is a favourite among bird watchers.

Two ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narasimha as also a temple of Durga are situated in the vicinity of the Mansar lake. People take a holy dip in the waters of the lake on festive occasions.