Kashmir Lake and Mountains

The nearest tarn to the city is that of Harwan on the slopes of Mahadev Mountain about a mile and a half further away from the Moghul garden –Shalimar. The source of its fresh water is Tarsar, a lake on the Amar Nath Mountain.

Harwan looks beautiful in its sylvan surroundings. This tarn is the chief source of water supply to the city. Besides the above enumerated lakes and lakelets, there are scores of tarns and glaciers found in the mountain ranges around the Gurais valley, Ladakh and Karakorams. Kashmir is rich in forests. A variety of spruce, stately trees some of which are towering masses, grow in them such as Blue Pine, silver Fir, Himalayan spruce, Birch, Maple, Beech, Hazel, wild Oak. Almost all the mountains are coated with dense forests, which, besides lending charm and healthful fragrance to the atmosphere,

Phugthal, the most spectacular monastic foundation Zanskar Valley.
Is a great factor of revenue to the country? The best varieties of pine and Deader are found in the dense forests of Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. The Lolab valley too is thick with them. These forests are regular haunts of lovers of sports. Ibex, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Wolves, red Bear, Markhor, Backbear, Barasingha etc can be found in these forests. Ibex is a wild goat with very long horns. Snow leopards are found in high forests. The country also holds a variety of winged game, such as duck, goose, chakor, monal pheasant, Patridge and Snipe.

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