MUSTANG, June 19: The existence of the mesmerizing Dumba lake located at Jomsom – 9 is in peril.

The rise in temperature, natural disasters and other human causes are being blamed for the depletion of water levels in the lake and deformation of soil in the surrounding areas. The lake situated at around 3,500 meters above sea level can be reached at an hour's walk from the district headquarters of Jomsom.

The lake which is 400 meters in length and one hundred meter wide is assumed to be 10 meters deep. The water level has depleted by half this year, according to local, Lakya Gurung.

"The massive earthquakes of April 25 and May 12 last year cracked the lake's rim from where the water gradually flowed outside," he said adding, "Now the lake looks much smaller." The locals have been trying to pump water into the lake but to no avail. The pristine lake has also played host to many movie scenes and documentaries.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) – Jomsom Chief, Niru Thapa, blamed the climate change accompanied with a rise in surface level temperature for causing the depletion of water level in the lake. "Today the alpine lakes and other lakes are facing crisis, and Dumba lake is no exception," Thapa shared. "We need to be aware in time to save it," she added.

Thapa called for plantation of trees around the lake and holding other awareness programmes for conservation. RSS