After 2014 floods, Dal Lake witnesses abundant lotus bloom

Srinagar, Aug 02: The serene waters of Dal Lake have witnessed a remarkable transformation in the wake of the 2014 floods, as the blooming lotus flowers now grace its surface in greater abundance.
Farmers said the September 2014 floods had affected seeds of lotus stems, locally known as nadru, from Dal Lake, affecting the livelihood of thousands of people.
The growers said they worked hard to revive the crop there and took seeds from various other water bodies over the years to revive its cultivation afresh in the lake.
Mohammad Abass a farmer said they again sowed the seeds a year later and with the result the blooming lotus flowers has increased and now grace its surface in greater abundance.
“If all the seeds of lotus flower dry up in the lake then there will be more and more lotus flowers and it can add to nadru produce,” he said. The lotus flower starts blooming in April and May and these flowers are in full bloom at the end.
The Kashmiri Lotus stem known as Nadru prepared from the roots of the lotus flower is cultivated in various lakes of Kashmir valley and the major being Dal Lake in Srinagar.
“This time the flowers are in full bloom and we expect good produce this year. The post-flood period has seen an encouraging revival in the lotus population, painting the lake’s expanse with offering a heart-warming sight for both locals and visitors,” the farmer said.
Shahnawaz Hussain, a Nadru farmer of Akhone Mohalla, Dal Lake said this year the flowers and lotus stem are in greater abundance and it will add in the next ten days.
“There has been a lot of improvement over the years and we are expecting good nadru production this year,” he said.
Shahnawaz said when there is huge water in the lake it affects nadru. He said not only in 2014 floods but over the years in summer months the heavy rains and rise in water level has also affected the blooming lotus flowers.
The farmers also attributed the impact to global warming, climate change and several other factors that are responsible for affecting the lake over the past several years.