Hanna Lake

Geography

Hanna Lake one of the beautiful Lake nestles in the hills located a little short of the place where the Urak Valley begins ten kilometers in east of Quetta city.The reservoir was constructed during the British Colonial era on the land of local tribesmen in the year 1894, and is one of the main attractions in the city and a great historical bridge wall between two mountains the depths like battlements of a fort for storing of water. The hana lake another beautiful lake is also there in Kashmir, near Banjosa, Rawalakot.

Features

The greenish blue water of the Lake provides wealthy contrast to the sandy brown of the hills in background and around the island in the middle which make this place more attractive and beautiful for visitors. There is a lakeside restaurant with picnic tables shaded by pine trees at the end of the river where families can enjoy the food and weather on the eastern part the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA) the only rowing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing training center in Balochistan Province with provision of rough swimming facility. Hanna Lake is one of the most visited and accessible lake in Balochistan and is a pleasant and very good picnic spot for families and friends.

It is very attractive place for holidaymakers, This Lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides & gives very beautiful view the lake water is rich with Golden fish which often come near the edge. Tourists can hire a boat and paddle on the lake to take a peaceful tour of the island. Lake is crowded with hikers, campers and sports lovers they enjoy a lot at the Hanna Lake.

The Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy HDWSA, Hanna Lake Development Authority (HLDA) and Merck German Medicine Makers has planted various trees in the surroundings for healing of ECO system and beautification, protection of environment in Hanna Lake Mountains.

History

In 1894, the small action dam Surrpull (Red Bridge) was constructed on main Urak road to control flood and divert water catastrophically into Hanna Lake coming from the Zarghoon and Murdar Mountains streams, snow melting and rains through main its main canal,

In 1970 heavy flood destroyed the Murdar Mountains recharge linked canal on way to surrpull near Spin Kaarrez road which has not been (Restored) reconstructed till date.

Presently on May 2016 the heavy flood filled this small action dam Surrpull with mud and stones resultantly all the streams and floods water are going waste and there is no chance to regulate water conservancy to Hanna lake without the Restoration, Desilting of surrpull and both main cannels on the other hand the water level in Hanna Lake is going deadly low the natural eco system wild life , environment of the surrounding , natives along with hundreds of migrated birds and thousands of fish are and the future of the Athletes of Rowing / Canoeing in danger and very soon the Hanna Lake will be fully dried like in 1999 to January 2005 and in 2010.

The environmental scientists, Speleologists and the Conservationist are looking the future of the lake in most dangerous condition and the current harmful environment situations will badly effect the natural eco system, environment, underground water level of the surroundings, trees, wild life, hundreds of migrated birds and thousands of fish in Hanna Lake and valleys.

1990 Hanna Lake boat disaster

On July 6, 1990, 40 people were killed and 8 injured when an overcrowded boat capsized in Hanna Lake. Most of the victims were vacationers who were enjoying Eid-al-Adha holidays. Another boat was used to rescue the victims.

Present day

This channel nowadays needs repairs and is wasting water and recently the water level has become deadly low, up to three feet causing danger for thousands of fish. There is also a water channel which was constructed at the same time by the British to convert the snow and rain water near Spin Kaarez, coming from Murdar Mount, as surplus for filling the water in this lake. The channel was destroyed by a heavy flood in 1976 and has still not been re-constructed. The loss of the snow and rain water was wasted causing Hanna Lake to fully dry up between 1999 and January 2005. If the Hanna Lake Development Authority (HLDA), the custodians of Hanna Lake, do not take any measures to bring water through the surplus channel the lake will be soon dry again.

Establishment of Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA)

On Tuesday 22nd July 1986 Mr. Khair Muhammad Khan Kakar Son of Sarfaraz Khan Kakar gifted 2 Acre of land on the North West edge of Hanna Lake to Hayatullah Khan Durrani known for caving and Mountaineering Adventure sports in Balochistan. Hayatullah Khan Durrani established Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA) on the eve of 14th August Pakistan Independence-Day in 1986. Balochistan's first the one and only Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Swimming and boating academy where all facilities regarding Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Swimming training, events equipment’s and boating free of cost to its youth members at Hanna Lake Quetta in the largest National interest for the protection of young generation from drug abuse and harmful social activities. Hayatullah Khan Durrani (PP) is founder and Chief Executive of HDWSA and provides the said facilities and equipment's for training to the male female students canoe, kayak paddlers, Rowers and optimist sailors of the different Schools, colleges, Universities and also extend this facility to the members of BCA,BRA,PCKF,PRF, PSA and Oars and paddles events participants. Hayat Durrani water Sports Academy was considered as National Rowing and canoeing center in 1995 and first time in the history of Pakistan the National event of Rowing was conducted (Organised) in Hanna lake Quetta under the auspicious of HDWSA supervised jointly by the Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Rowing Federation on the eve of XXV National Games 1995 held in Quetta. Letter in 1997 HDWSA was considered as International canoeing paddling center and since National canoeing Championship has been organised in the eye feasting Hanna Lake graced with surrounding mighty mountains under the patronage of HDWSA supervised by Balochistan canoeing Association. The 2nd old building of HDWSA was replaced and modern building was constructed in 2007 and till date the renovation and construction work has made this center able Pakistan's first and only International level CanoeKayak, Rowing Olympic sports academy where athletes gets training of paddling and sculling Olympic sports free of cost without any fee just to involve young generation in the healthy way of life and for the development of these sports. Hayatullah Khan Durrani formed Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation to further develop the canoe and Kayak sports in the country to provide opportunities and exposure to the young canoekayak paddlers , Rowers of Pakistan to contest on International level. Hayatullah Khan Durrani was elected Director Asian Canoe Confederation (ACC) in the XVI congress meeting of Asian Canoe Confederation held in Samarkand.

Dry lake

From year 2000-2010 Hanna Lake dried up and the natives along with hundreds of migrated birds were in trouble.

Full lake

However, in 2011 the lake re-filled and once again gave rise to flora and fauna in its environment. The turquoise waters of the lake provide a rich contrast to the sandy brown of the hills in the background. One can promenade on the terraces or hire a boat and paddle on the lake and round the island in the middle.

Public transport

Public wagon service operates from city bus station side by the City District Government office. The transport can also be hired through the PTDC Tourist Information Center, Muslim Hotel, Jinnah Road Quetta.