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Khanpur Lake
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Some 50 kilometers north-west of
Islamabad, on the road from Taxila to Haripur, lies a lake so scenic
and awe-inspiring, that many visitors to it just cannot get enough
of it. Fed from the waters of the Haro River, Khanpur Lake is one of my favourite places on earth and my favourite photo in my entire collection (which spans many countries and snapshots I took over decades) was taken here at the Lake. The Asian Study Group, of which I am an active member, organizes a hike from Khanpur to Islamabad every year and several years ago I had the pleasure of participating in this 6 hour long hike across the Margalla Hills, which was strenuous but visually immensely appealing. Off course, every place has its share of problems from which Khanpur is not exempt. Concerns have been voiced lately about deforestation in the surrounding hills as the population of the settlements which have cropped up around the Lake increases. Rising levels of silt in the Lake are another cause for concern. On a more ominous note, several boaters have drowned there. Despite all this, whether you live in Islamabad or surrounding areas, or whether you are just visiting this region, be assured that if you don't visit Khanpur Lake, you are missing an experience you shouldn't!
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Khanpur Lake is an
important source of water in the region for both consumption and
irrigation purposes in the two adjoining provinces Punjab and
North-West Frontier Province. It has also become a popular tourist
destination where families and individuals can enjoy boating, go
picnicking, take extended walks along the lakeshore or observe
migratory birds in Winter. Some people have undertaken "
