Uchalli Lake (Punjab)

 

Uchalli Lake is the largest saltwater lake with lifeless water in Soon Valley in the Salt Range on the foot of Mount Sakesar, located at the distance of 17km from Naushehra on Khushab-Sakesar road, the main town in the Soon Valley. The main sources of its water are the surrounding streams in the area and rainwater due to the lack of a drainage system there.

Instead of its lifeless water, it attracts a number of different migrating birds from Central Asia, which is the main attraction of the lake and gives picturesque and romantic views to visitors.

About Soon Valley

The Soon Valley is one of the beautiful valleys in the Punjab Province in the Salt Range and can be accessed through Khushab-Mianwali road via the Khushab district at a distance of 288 km from Lahore. It can also be accessed via Kaller Kahar on Islamabad-Lahore Motorway M2. It extends from Padhrar village to Sakesar having a length of 56 km and an average width of 14 km.

Naushehra is the main town in the Soon Valley, which has all of the facilities for tourists such as hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. It is located at 56 Km from the Khushab city.

Soon Valley offers a very attractive scenic beauty, with lakes, forests, waterfalls, and natural ponds. Mount Sakesar is the highest peak in this area at 5,010 feet above sea level. In the winter season, the temperature falls below the freezing point, and sometimes it receives snowfall around the area near Sakesar. It is the only Mountain in the Soon Valley which receives snowfall in the winter. The Pakistan Air Force has installed a radar station on the top to observe the airspace. Instead of that, Pakistan Television Corporation also built a television transmission center over there. Tourists are not allowed to visit the Sakesar top without prior permission.

The Soon Valley was settled in ancient time by the Awan tribe, which are still the major of the population in this area. They also serves high rank positions in the British Army as well as Pakistan Army after independence.

There are a number of attractive and picturesque saltwater lakes such as Uchhali, Khabikki, and Jahlar, which attract thousands of migratory birds each year including rare white-headed ducks from Central Asia. The waters of these lakes are lifeless. Uchchali lake is situated on the foot of the Sakaser Mountain. Khabikki lake is also a spelendid picnic point for families and situated in southern Salt Range. Jahlar lake is located in a remote village and not easy to access. But its gives more fascinating picturesque view within the calm and peaceful environment.

Kanahti Garden is the the heart of the Soon Valley. It is garden full of fruit trees of different kinds. A trek in the center of the garden leads toward the Kanahti Waterfall with small lake.

Akrand Fort of Janjua is an historical location in the Soon Valley. A trek leads toward the fort from the Kanahti Garden.

Amb Shareef Hindu temple, a ruin of ancient Hindu Temple, is located near Amb Shareef village on the Mountain Sakesar. There are two temples facing each other, but their condition is not better.