Ecological Degradation Puts Namal Lake’s Future at Risk

APP

Mianwali: Once a shimmering jewel of the Salt Range, Namal Lake in Mianwali now faces an existential crisis.

Decades of ecological degradation, changing weather patterns, and the construction of allegedly illegal mini dams in its catchment areas have pushed this century-old reservoir to the brink of depletion.

Constructed by the British in 1913, Namal Dam gave birth to Namal Lake, a natural haven and lifeline for the surrounding communities.

Just 30 minutes from Mianwali city, the lake has long served as a source of irrigation, drinking water, and habitat for migratory birds, while also sustaining villages such as Namal, Dhurnaka, Rikhi, Karli, Ban Hafiz Jee, and Musakhel.

But the lake’s surface area tells a sobering story. Once spread across 5.5 square kilometers, it has shrunk to just 2.2 sq km.

Officials from the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA), who inspected the site last week, attributed the decline to siltation and the proliferation of upstream mini dams, which have choked the natural water flow.

Over the years, inflows from its main tributary streams—Tarapi, Golar, and Raghera Nullahs—have receded drastically. Reduced rainfall linked to climate change has further strained the lake’s ecosystem.

According to the Namal Lake Restoration and Management Plan (2022–2027), urgent interventions are required: removal of silt, afforestation drives, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, and the establishment of a monitoring system.

Without such measures, experts warn, rising temperatures could erase Namal Lake entirely.

Alarmed by the threat, locals and overseas Pakistanis have mobilized under the “Save Namal Lake” campaign.

Spearheaded by Saghir Ahmed, a native of Namal, the campaign has rallied community leaders, activists, and political figures to press for government action. They have urged the Punjab Government to implement the restoration plan, secure funds, and seek support from international environmental agencies.

The campaign recently received backing from Coordinator to the Prime Minister Rana Ihsan Afzal, who termed the situation “an alarming environmental crisis.”

In a letter to provincial authorities, he emphasized that Namal Lake—seen as a potential Ramsar Convention wetland site—faces grave threats from unregulated water extraction, encroachments, biodiversity loss, and the absence of coordinated conservation.

Community delegations have also met with the Deputy Commissioner of Mianwali, who assured them of pursuing the matter with relevant departments.

Beyond its ecological value, Namal Lake carries social and economic significance. Once a source of livelihood for local fishermen and boatmen, the lake also holds promise as a tourism hub.

With its picturesque hills and wildlife, it could serve as a major stopover for travelers journeying between Karachi, Islamabad, and the northern areas. Already declared a game reserve by the Punjab Wildlife Department, the site is rich in biodiversity and offers untapped potential for eco-tourism.

For residents of Mianwali, the message is clear: Namal Lake is not just a body of water it is heritage, livelihood, and hope. The “Save Namal Lake” campaign has made a fervent appeal for urgent steps to restore its ecological balance and protect its natural beauty for generations to come.