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Context:

• The iconic island Char Chinari in the middle of the Dal Lake, is in the spotlight again.
• Recently, two tall chinar trees were planted on the picturesque island with the Zabarwan hills in the backdrop.
• The 2014 floods left two mighty chinars damaged.

Dal Lake:

• About: Dal is a lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an urban lake, which is the second largest in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Other name: It is named the "Lake of Flowers", "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel". The lake is noted in particular for its Nelumbo nucifera (lotus flowers) which bloom in July and August. Asia’s largest Tulip garden is on the banks of Dal Lake.
• Location: The lake is located within a catchment area of Zabarwan mountain valley, in the foothills of the Shankaracharya Hill, which surrounds it on three sides.
• Islands of Dal lake: The wetland is divided by causeways into three islands; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal.
• Islands with Chinar trees: Of the three 3 islands, 2 are marked with beautiful Chinar trees: Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.
• Mughal Gardens: Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are on the banks of Dal Lake.

The Islands with Char Chinar:

Roph Lank

• The island located on the Lakut Dal (small Dal) is known as Roph Lank (Silver Island).
• It is marked with the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four corners, thus known as Char-Chinari (Four Chinars).
• Murad Baksh, brother of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, constructed the Roph Lank.

Sone Lank

• The second Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank (Gold Island), is located on the Bod Dal (Big Dal).
• It overlooks the holy shrine of Hazratbal.

Also Read: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/important-lakes-in-india

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