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The Dal Lake in Kashmir’s Srinagar is more than a natural marvel, it is a site of paradise itself. For centuries, poets have described its beauty, framed by the majestic Zabarwan Mountains.

Conflict has now taken centre stage. The valley has witnessed unimaginable violence, with countless lives lost, and now new political turmoil continues. Still, the lake remains, a shimmering body of water along the picturesque Boulevard Road, bearing silent testimony to the time that passes.

In recent years, reports have noted how the Dal Lake has fallen into distress. Pollution chokes its shallow waters which are overgrown with weeds. The lake is dotted with houseboats and shikaras (small wooden boats) that still aim to give tourists a taste of its former glory. But careless and insensitive........

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