Tura, July 11: The residents of Tura have a new spot for their recreational needs and, no, it is not in a far-off remote corner but right in the heart of the bustling town. A once-private lake in the heart of Tura, Ira Lake has opened its doors to the public.

Ira Lake, which was named after Ira Marak, the person who dug it in the early 1970s or 1980s, is now open to visitors from 6 am to 2 pm for fishing and from 3 pm to 5 pm for boating.

The lake is located in Dakopgre and is surrounded by lush greenery. The water in the lake is clear and inviting, and there are a variety of fish species that can be found there. The lake opened for the public on July 10, 2023, and the entry is free at present.

The co-owner of the lake, Mikkimra Shira, who is Ira Marak’s grandson, spoke to Hub News about the decision to open the lake to the public. “This lake was built by my grandfather, and now I have taken charge of maintaining it and have decided to open it up for fishing and boating,” Shira said, adding, “We believe that this will be a great place for people to come and enjoy the outdoors.”

However, despite the property just opening up to public, Shira is mindful to not allow too many activities as it is still a private property and privacy for the family remains a major concern. “Many have given suggestions but some are not feasible at this location,” he said.

At the same time, fishing is a popular activity in the region and the lake, having variety of fish species, is seen as a tempting location to hold fishing competitions. But Shira said they have not decided on it yet. “We have not decided yet for giving it for fishing competition, and as it is a private property, we will see later on,” he maintained.

Presently, the charges for fishing at the Lake are Rs. 500 per hour, with the option to extend the duration at an additional cost of Rs. 200 per hour. Boating, on the other hand, is priced at Rs. 100 for a 20-minute session per boat; with the option to extend the same for an additional cost of Rs. 200 per hour.

Also, the current road used for entrance is a temporary private entry, as the main gate is currently under construction. Once completed, an entry fee will be implemented, and there are plans to establish an eatery joint beside the lake in the near future.

With limited recreational amenities available to the public in Tura, Ira Lake has the potential to become a popular hotspot for locals and visitors, particularly on weekends.

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