Lake Saiful Muluk

Saiful Muluk (Urdu: جھیل سیف الملوک) is a mountainous lake in northern Pakistan, located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley, near the town of Naran in the Saiful Muluk National Park. At an elevation of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level, the lake is located above the tree line, and is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan.

Lake Saiful Muluk
The lake is notable for its picturesque setting in the mountains of northern Pakistan
Lake Saiful Muluk is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lake Saiful Muluk
Lake Saiful Muluk
Lake Saiful Muluk is located in Pakistan
Lake Saiful Muluk
Lake Saiful Muluk
LocationSaiful Muluk National Park, Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Coordinates34.876957°N 73.694485°E / 34.876957; 73.694485
Lake typeAlpine, glacial lake
Primary inflowsGlacial water
Primary outflowsStream (a tributary of Kunhar River)
Basin countriesPakistan
Surface area2.75 km2 (1.06 sq mi)
Max. depth113 ft (34 m)
Surface elevation3,224 metres (10,577 ft)[1]
SettlementsNaran

Location
The road to the lake traverses the mountains of the Kaghan Valley

Saiful Muluk is located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Naran,[2][3] in the northern part of Kaghan Valley. Malika Parbat, the highest peak in the valley is near the lake.[4]

The lake is accessible from the nearby town of Naran during the summer season but access during winter is limited, as heavy snowfall and landslides threaten to cutoff the lake from other regions.

Physical features

Saiful Muluk was formed by glacial moraines that blocked the water of the stream passing through the valley.[5] The Kaghan Valley was formed in the greater Pleistocene Period dating back almost 300,000 years when the area was covered with ice. Rising temperatures and receding glaciers left a large depression where glaciers once stood. Melting water collected into the lake.

Saif-ul-Muluk panorama in spring

Ecology

The lake has rich eco-diversity and holds many species of blue-green algae. Large brown trout are found in the lake, up to about seven kilograms.[6] About 26 species of vascular plant exist in the area, with Asteraceae the most commonly found species. Other species commonly found in the region are: Ranunculaceae, Compositae, Cruciferae, Gramineae, Apiaceae, Leguminosae, Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae.

Folklore

Main article: Prince Saiful Malook and Badri Jamala

The Lake Saiful Muluk is named after a legendary prince. A fairy tale called Saif-ul-Muluk, written by the Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, talks of the lake.[7][8] It tells the story of the Egyptian Prince Saiful Malook who fell in love with a fairy princess named Princess Badri-ul-Jamala at the lake.[9][10]

Hover the mouse click or tap on the following images to see their captions.

  • Lake Saiful Muluk under clouds
    Lake Saiful Muluk under clouds
  • A view of lake in Wortez
    A view of lake in Wortez
  • Lake Saiful Muluk in a sunny day
    Lake Saiful Muluk in a sunny day
  • A full view of Lake Saif-ul-Muluk
    A full view of Lake Saif-ul-Muluk
  • Lake Saif ul Malook in May 2017
    Lake Saif ul Malook in May 2017
  • The lake freezes over in winter
    The lake freezes over in winter
  • Saif Ul Muluk
    Lake Saif ul Muluk in December 2012
  • Tourist point with Lake
    Tourist point with Lake
  • A boat in Saiful Maluk Lake
    A boat in Saiful Maluk Lake
  • Lake Saif-Ul-Mulook, Kaghan Valley, Pakistan
    Lake Saif-Ul-Mulook, Kaghan Valley, Pakistan
  • Lake Saif-Ul-Mulook at night
    Lake Saif-Ul-Mulook at night
  • Lake Saiful Malook Pakistan
    Lake Saiful Malook Pakistan

See also

References
  1. "Surface Elevation of Lake Saiful Muluk". Dailytimes.com.pk. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. "Distance from Naran". Google Maps. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. Ali, Ihsan. "Natural Heritage of Kaghan Valley" (PDF). Mapping and Documentation of the Cultural Assets of Kaghan Valley, Mansehra (Report). Islamabad: UNESCO. p. 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  4. Hussain, Manzoor; Khan, Mir Ajab; Shah, Ghulam Mujtaba (5 March 2006). "Traditional Medicinal and Economic uses of Gymnosperms of Kaghan Valley, Pakistan". Ethnobotanical Leaflets. 10: 72. ISSN 1948-3570. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  5. Ehlers, J.; Gibbard, P. L. (29 July 2004). Quaternary Glaciations - Extent and Chronology (2 ed.). Elsevier. pp. 305–306. ISBN 978-0444515933. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  6. Muhammad Yaqoob (14 March 2003). "Production and culture of trout in the Northwest Frontier Province and Northern Areas of Pakistan, A review". In Peter, T.; Swar, S. B. (eds.). Cold water fisheries in the trans-Himalayan countries. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. p. 327. ISBN 978-9251048078. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  7. http://windsweptwords.com/2013/04/27/the-legend-of-Saif-ul-Muluk-part-iv/%5B%5D
  8. "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News". www.thenews.com.pk.
  9. Javed, Asghar (23 June 2002). "Pristine lakes of the north". Dawn. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  10. "Saif-ul-Malook: The Lake of Fairies". 22 April 2016.
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