Beautiful Satpara Lake, Pakistan
Satpara Lake, Pakistan
“Is this the place where they say that the fairies land in the moonlight?” inquired my friend Mukadas. “Yes, my dear!” I replied and we gave each other a big smile.
We had finally arrived at the place we had been hearing about for so long. We travelled by the Karakoram Highway, Astore, Rama and Deosai Plains to reach this beauty. From far away, it looked like a big silver flying saucer in the middle of the valley. Upon our arrival, we discovered that it wasn’t silver at all. It was lush green with a big eye-like piece of land in between.
Drowned in the depths of its beauty, for a few seconds, we did not feel the need to talk or speak a word until Khobaib broke the mesmerizing effect. “I think they land on that island so that nobody can reach them”. And we started laughing….
That was the beautiful Satpara Lake in front of our eyes. Dark green in colour with some bluish shades, surrounded by brown naked mountains, a cluster of trees in its centre, and with the sun gone somewhere out of sight, it touched our souls and gave us a soothing effect to calm down our tired bodies.
Satpara Lake (also known as Sadpara Lake), is one of the largest freshwater lakes in our country. It offers ample opportunity for trout fishing, boating and rowing. It provides fresh water to the neighbouring population of Skurdu which is located almost 9KM away from it. From Skurdu, it will take you only 20 minutes to reach this lake by Jeep. And if you are coming from the high Deosai Plains, the second largest plateau of the world with its altitude of 16000 feet, then get ready to see some amazing sights and sounds of nature.
We were already overwhelmed with the beautiful Deosai and its wildflowers when the winding valley leading towards Satpara Lake gave us delightful feelings by welcoming us with the green fields, loaded trees of fruits and of course the local habitants with big smiles on their beautiful faces.
If you want to stay there, the staff at PTDCL’s built Motel will welcome you. The location of the Motel is ideal, and because it is built jutting into the lake, you can really enjoy having a cup of tea in its open cafeteria. The location allows you to feel the cool breeze mixed with the sweet smell of flowers & trees and the pleasant rhythm of the waves made by the deep water.
You can ask the authorized staff members to take you surfing on the paddle boats. In the day time, when the sunlight plays with the green lake it seems that you are looking at a big bowl containing millions of diamonds. In 2002, the Government of Pakistan decided to build a dam on Satpara Lake. The Government allocated Rs. 600 million ($10 million) for the Satpara Dam project in the 2004's financial year. The progress on the project, however, has been slow and the construction is still in progress.
Go there once in a lifetime with your family, friends and loved ones. Before I drop my pen… I must tell you that this land of ours has very beautiful colours to show, so explore this land of striking people and places. Discover the green, blue, white, brown and millions of other colours of this “sohni dhurti” and let your souls sail the divine rhythm of nature!
Muji Muj
August, 2006
