Published on, Aug. 18 -- August 18, 2025 4:43 AM

The scenic Namal Lake in Mianwali is gradually facing an extinction owing to ecological degradation and construction of allegedly illegal mini dams by farmers in its catchment areas.

Built by the British in 1913, Namal Dam had led to formation of Namal Lake, a 30-minutes drive from Mianwali. It was a source of drinking water, irrigation of down stream areas of Mianwali, potable water to its surrounding villages like, Namal, Dhurnaka, Rikhi, Karli, Ban Hafiz Jee, Musakhel and their agriculture, besides a natural habitat for local and migrating birds.

Nestled in an idyllic setting Namal's lake initial surface area of 5.5 sq km has now shrunk to 2.2 sq km, due to decades- long ecological de...