Ecological status and PhytoPlanktonic Enumeration of Dal lake , Kashmir.

Dal has been the cradle of Kashmiri civilization from times immemorial. Kashmir, the beautiful state is known as the paradise of India. People have linked the climate of the valley to that Switzerland until the end of May, and of southern France in July and August .Dal is a Himalayan urban lake which is mainly used for tourism. Fishery and agriculture is of secondary importance. It is one of the most beautiful lakes of India and the second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Dal Lake is unique in having hundreds of house boats which afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Besides the Moguls gardens and campus of the University of Kashmir is also located along the shores of the lake. Overlooking the lake are two hillocks which house the famous temples of Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat. A perennial inflow channel enters the lake from the north and supplies about 80% of the water. Towards the southwest side an outflow channel drains the lake water into a tributary of the River Jhelum. Parallel to this exit is a stone-lined canal which connects the lake with the tributary. This channel is used for movement of boats in and out of the lake and prevents inundation of floating gardens during high floods. The author intends to give an insight in to the spatiotemporal trends in the tourist flow and changes in the ecology and environment of the lake. The sustainability of the Dal Lake depends on the management and ecotourism