- Keetham Lake
Infobox lake
lake_name = Keetham Lake
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basin_countries = India
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frozen =Keetham lake is a scenic
lake just outsideAgra on theAgra -Delhi highway (NH 2). The Keetham lake is also known as the Sur Sarovar. It is a tranquil spot, ideal for a relaxed outing. A wide variety of fish and water-birds add to the lake's natural charm and beauty.Location
This scenic lake, is about 20 KM from
Agra and is located within the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. Keetham Lake is linked by Railway track at Keetham Railway Station and has was declared as National Bird Sanctuary in 1991 by U.P. Forest Department. The riverine belt of River Yamuna surrounds the area of Sur-Sarovar.Climate
The climatic conditions of the lake area is typical of
Uttar Pradesh plains with hot windy summers and extremely cold winters. The average temperature ranges between 1.5 C to 49 C. The monsoon season occurs during July to September.Area
The entire lake is formed in a catchment area of 7.13 km². Keetham Lake is pentagonal in shape. There are artificially created islands for shelter and breeding grounds to the migratory birds.
Water Management
The raw water for Keetham Lake is obtained from
Agra Canal originating from Okhla barrage on RiverYamuna inDelhi . At Delhi Agra road, the Agra Canal water is diverted through Jodhpur branch near BMAS Engineering Collage located about 2 km from Keetham. The lake water of Keetham is also used as raw water intake for Mathura Refinery Water Treatment Plant located in vicinity of Keetham LakeDevelopment
U.P. Forest Department has created woodlands and developed shallow areas near lake, making it a natural habitat for birds nesting sites.
Attractions
More than 106 species of migratory and resident birds are known to have their resting habitats at Sur Sarovar. The entire lake area gets covered by profuse growth of macrophytic vegetation of water hyacinth (Eichornia sp.) and Potamogeton sp. during summers. The water quality of Keetham lake supports wide range of
avifauna during winter season. The important aquatic birds inhabiting Keetham lake are
*Little Gerbs
*Cormorants
*Darter,
*Grey Heron
*Purple Heron
*Paddy Bird
*Cattle Egrets
*Large Egrets
*Smaller Egrets
*Little Egrets
*Night Heron
*Indian Reef Heron
*Black necked Stork
*white Ibis
*Spon Bill
*Greying Goose
*Bar headed Goose
*Lesser Whistling Teal
*Ruddy Shelduck
*Pintail
*Common Teal
*Spot Billed Duck
*Gadwall, Wigeon
*Shovler
*Comb Duckee also
*
Patna Bird Sanctuary
*National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary References
* [http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/agra/excursions-from-agra/keetham-lake.html http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/agra/excursions-from-agra/keetham-lake.html]
* [http://cpcbenvis.nic.in/newsletter/birdsanctury/ch40703.htm http://cpcbenvis.nic.in/newsletter/birdsanctury/ch40703.htm]
* [http://cpcbenvis.nic.in/newsletter/birdsanctury/ch30703.htm http://cpcbenvis.nic.in/newsletter/birdsanctury/ch30703.htm]
* [http://www.up-tourism.com/tour/agra_braj_circuit.htm http://www.up-tourism.com/tour/agra_braj_circuit.htm]
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