Kodaikanal Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Kodaikanal Lake
image_lake = Kodaikanal lake.jpg|200px
caption_lake = A view of Lake
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Kodaikanal
coords = 10.23 N latitude and 77.47 E longitude
type = Fresh water
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = India
length =
width =
area = 24 ha (60 acres)
depth = 3 m (9.7 ft)
max-depth = 11 m (35.6 ft)
volume =
residence_time =
shore = 9 km
elevation = 2133 m (6911 ft)
islands =
cities = Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal Lake, also known as Kodai Lake is a manmade lake located in the Kodaikanal city in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, India. Sir Vere Hentry Levinge, the then Collector of Madurai, was instrumental in creating the lake in the year 1863 AD, amidst the Kodaikanal town which was developed by the British and early missionaries from USAhttp://www.tamilnadutourism.org/hillstations/tnhillstations/HS_Kodaikkanal2.aspx?catid=c3&subcat1id=c3s1&subcat2id=c3s1s1] . [http://kodaihills.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html, Kodai hills] . The lake is said to be Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction.

Over the years a boat club, boathouse and boat service (with Rowing Boats and Pedalling boats and a public ferry) for the public and tourists has become fully functional and is of aesthetic significance for tourism. Boat Pageant and Flower Shows are a regular feature in the summer season which attracts touristshttp://dspace.iimk.ac.in/bitstream/2259/599/1/543-554.pdf Managing Lake Tourism: Challenges Ahead] .

Access

A railway line extended from Chennai to Tirunelveli with an intermediate station at Ammaianayakkanur (later renamed Kodai Road) was built in 1875, to provide a gateway to Kodaikanal town and there on to the lake through a foot trek of 18 km from the railhead. The nearest railheads to the lake presently are the Kodai Road railway Station at 80 km and the Palani Railway station at 64 km distance, from the town. Madurai (at 121 km) and Coimbatore (at 135 Km) airports are the closest to the Lake. Kodai Lake is well connected by road with regular bus services operating to Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Thiruchirapalli, Kumili, Erode, Bangalore and Coimbatore.

Topography

The lake is star-shaped, centrally located in the town of Kodaikanal and is surrounded by lush green hills of the Palani Hills range, which is the main watershed for the lake and it lies to the northwestern portion of the range.

Hydrology

An earthen dam was constructed where three streams flowed to create the lake. The lake catchment experiences an average annual rainfall of 1650 mm. The climate is salubrious with summer temperatures of 19.8ºC (max) and 11.3ºC (min) and winter temperatures of 17.3ºC (max) and 8.3ºC (min).The out flow from the Lake forms the waterfall of 180 foot, called the Silver Cascade, 8 km downstream of the lake outlet.

Flora

Kurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a unique flowering plant is reported from the catchment area of the Lake. It is reported that this flower last bloomed in 2004 and that it blooms once in 12 years. Hill-plantain fruits and plums are popular in the area. [http://www.kodaikanal.com/] . [ http://kurinji.in/Kurinji] .

Aqua fauna

The Lake has moderate to dense growth of macrophytes of all types. The littoral zone of the lake is reported to be rich in periphytic biota associated with macrophytes. Diatoms, protozoans and rotifers which are also associated with macrophytes are found in the lake. Many aquatic insect larvae and adults, molluscs, cladocerans and the fish Danio aequipinnatus, Rasbora daniconius and Gambusia affinis are reported. Rainbow trout and common carp are the main fish found in the lake. The fish yield as per past records was 5.3 kg/ha/year [http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/X2614E/x2614e06.htm Coldwater Fish and Fisheries in the Western Ghats, India]

Condition of the lake

A study of physico-chemical parameters of the lake water reveals [http://www.taal2007.org/downloads/abstracts/Poster2.pdf P261 Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Kodai Lake, Palni Hills of South India] that:

1) as per microbial analysis, the water is not potable and needs to be processed prior to domestic use;

2) several ecological factors have influenced the plankton diversity and abundance;

3) eight aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa have been identified;

4) Tourist and near by residents are causative factors for lake contamination and pollution;

5) encroachment of the banks of the lake by buildings by violating the court order which prohibits constructions within 200 ft from the banks of the lake;

5) the impact on the quality of water is transitory as compared to closed water body; and

6) high pollution loads of organic matter from hotels and other commercial establishments around the lake are causing pollution

Lake Conservation plan

The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India has initiated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), since June, 2001, on 70:30 cost sharing basis between the Central Government and the respective State Government, with the objective of restoring and conserving the polluted and degraded lakes in urban and semi urban areas in the country. On the basis of studies carried out, 62 lakes including the Kodaikanal Lake in Tamil Nadu have been identified as polluted and degraded requiring conservation .

Treatment and Eco-restoration works for the Kodaikanal Lake were undertaken by the Government of Tamil Nadu with funds provided by the Govt. of India, under the above stated cost sharing formula, by the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to abate pollution and, thereby benefit the local and floating population. The project envisaged Bio remediation, Sewage Treatment, Low cost sanitation Facilities, awareness, de- Weeding, Interception and Diversion Works, Fencing, Horse sheds, Data Collection and Dredging, at a total cost of about US $ 2.6 million(Rs 10.33 crores) [http://www.tn.gov.in/gorders/eandf/envi-e-33.htm. Govt. of Tamilnadu] . [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/PublicUtilities/graphics/PolicyNote0708-E.pdf. Environment & Forest Department, Policy Note 2007-08, page23] .

Gallery

Also see

* Kodaikanal
* Dindigul district
* Palani Hills
* Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

References