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he once-vibrant Namal Lake lies near the town of Rikhi and the Namal College in Mianwali. The serene water body is now turning into a muddy pond.
Once a vital source of fresh water, a thriving habitat for wildlife and a centre of local culture and economy, Namal Lake is now a pale shadow of its former self. The lake, which once sustained entire communities and ecosystems, has been pushed to the brink of extinction through water mismanagement and unchecked development in its catchment areas. Climate change has aggravated the problems.
The formation of Namal Lake dates back to the early 20th Century, when the British administration undertook efforts to construct small reservoirs and irrigation systems to support agriculture and settlements in arid regions. Around 1913, a small dam was constructed across a seasonal stream originating from the Salt Range hills. This dam led to the formation of Namal Lake—a shallow, rain-fed body of water primarily dependent on monsoon rains and runoff from surrounding areas.
The lake spanned approximately 5.5 square kilometers and served multiple purposes. It provided drinking water to nearby villages, supported agriculture through irrigation, sustained local fishery and was a seasonal home to migratory birds. Over time, the lake became an integral part of the lives of the people living in Rikhi, Kalri, Namal, Dhibaa, Dhurnaka and Ban Hafiz Ji.
For decades after its construction, Namal Lake played a pivotal role in sustaining life in this part of the Punjab. Its significance exceeded its physical size on account of the socio-economic benefits it provided.
Many farmers in Mianwali and surrounding areas depended on the lake for irrigating their lands. The runoff from the hills would fill the lake during the monsoon season. The water was used during dry periods.
Canals and watercourses carried this water to fields growing wheat, barley and other seasonal crops.
The lake supplied drinking water to several villages that lacked modern water supply infrastructure. For areas where groundwater is saline or inaccessible, Namal Lake was the only dependable freshwater source.
Namal Lake was a haven for biodiversity. During winters, it became a stopover for migratory birds from Central Asia. These included ducks, geese and cranes. Many auatic species including fish, frogs and water plants thrived in the ecosystem, creating a delicate balance that supported the local food chain.
In recent years, especially after the establishment of Namal College—founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan—the lake drew attention for its scenic beauty and tranquility. Visitors, students and tourists often found solace on its banks. It also became an eco-tourism destination.
Namal Lake is more than water reservoir—it is a symbol of ecological balance, community life and regional identity. Its decline reflects broader environmental crises facing Pakistan today.
Over the last two decades, Namal Lake has suffered due to the changing climate. Erratic weather patterns, longer droughts and delayed or weaker monsoons have reduced the frequency and intensity of water inflows into the lake. The Salt Range, once rich with rain-fed streams, is drying up due to deforestation and changing rainfall patterns.
The water level in Namal Lake is no longer getting replenished. Year after year, the water level has receded. For long stretches, its bed lies dry and cracked. This is a disheartening sight for communities that once relied on it for life and livelihoods.
While climate change has had a significant role in this, human activity—particularly the construction of small dams and check-dams in the lake’s catchment area—has drastically accelerated Namal Lake’s decline. Over the past 10-15 years, several dams have been built upstream, intercepting the natural flow of rainwater that would otherwise feed into Namal Lake.
The catchment area of Namal Lake extends deep into the Salt Range. In their attempt to harness water locally for agriculture and storage, authorities and local landowners have constructed dozens of small reservoirs and earthen dams. While these dams may have helped individual farmers or communities in the short term, they have diverted the lifeline of Namal Lake.
Water that once traveled downstream into the Namal basin is now held in upstream reservoirs or evaporates before reaching the lake. Even when there are heavy rains, the lake barely receives a trickle
The drying up of Namal Lake has far-reaching implications for the local communities that have depended on it. The immediate and long-term impacts are already being felt in several reas. Inhabitants of villages such as Rikhi, Kalri, Namal, Dhibaa, Dhurnaka, Ban Hafiz Ji and Musa Khel now face acute water shortages. They rely increasingly on groundwater extraction, which is not only energy-intensive but frequently yields brackish or contaminated water.
Apart from the serious implications for drinking and irrigation supplies, the drying up of lake has resulted in loss of biodiversity. The once-thriving bird population has dwindled. The dry lakebed no longer attracts migratory birds or sustains aquatic life. Fishermen, who once caught fish from the lake for both subsistence and trade, have lost their livelihoods.
The lake once held promise for eco-tourism and scenic development, particularly with Namal College nearby. As it dries up, that vision is fading.
The story of Namal Lake is not unique—many fresh water bodies across Pakistan and South Asia face similar threats. However, there is still hope if immediate, science-based and community-driven measures are taken. Authorities must revisit the water management plans for the region. An integrated watershed management approach can ensure that upstream reservoirs release adequate water downstream to replenish the lake during the monsoon. Besides, reforestation in the Salt Range and the removal of unauthorised barriers in the catchment area can help restore the natural flow of water. Efforts to maintain natural watercourses, enhance soil absorption and reduce erosion are essential.
The local community has been raising a voice for quite some time. For them, Namal Lake is more than a water reservoir—it is a symbol of ecological balance, community life and regional identity. Its decline reflects the broader environmental crises facing Pakistan today: water scarcity, climate change and poor resource management. If we act now, Namal Lake can be revived as a sustainable water source, a biodiversity haven and once again a source of pride for Mianwali. But the time to act is running out. If Namal Lake dies, a part of the region’s soul will go with it. So will the future of thousands of people who call this land home.
The writer is a staff reporter at The News.