Bhojtal
| Bhojtal | ||
|---|---|---|
| Upper Lake | ||
Primary inflows Kolans River | | |
| Catchment area | 361 km2 (139 sq mi) | |
| Basin countries | India | |
| Max. length | 31.5 km (19.6 mi) | |
| Max. width | 5 km (3.1 mi) | |
| Surface area | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) | |
| Settlements | Bhopal | |
Bhojtal, also known as Upper Lake,
History
According to the local folklore, Bhojtal is said to have been built by the
The lake was created by constructing an earthen dam across the Kolans River. An eleven gate dam called the
The lake was known as the Upper Lake or Bada Talab ("Big Pond") until March 2011 it was renamed to Bhojtaal in honour of the Great King Raja Bhoj who built it.[5] A huge statue of Raja Bhoj, standing with sword, was also installed on a pillar on one corner of the lake to cement the name of Bhopal as the city of lakes[6]
Geography
Bhojtal is situated on the west central part of Bhopal city and is surrounded by
Social and cultural significance
Since the construction of the lake in the 11th century, Bhopal city has grown around it. The people are religiously and culturally attached to the lakes. The lakes meet their needs of water supply and they wash clothes in them (very harmful for the lake ecosystem), cultivate water chestnut in Bhojtal and lotus in Chhota Talaab. The idols of gods and goddesses are also immersed in the lake during religious festivals, though the local administration is advising devotees not to do so. The Takia island in Upper lake has a tomb of the Shah Ali Shah, which has religious and archaeological significance.[7]
Economy and entertainment
The fishing rights to Bhopal have been given on long lease by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation to a co-operative consisting of some 500 fishermen families. Fishing is mainly done on its south-eastern shores. The lake also serves as the source of water for irrigating a large area. There are 87 villages in its catchment area in the Bhopal as well as Sehore districts. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for people in these areas and most farmers have livestock as well. While some farmers have large landholdings, many farmers are small and marginal farmers with only a few acres of land.[8]
Bhojtal attracts tourists due to its scenery. The National Sailing School was established at the Boat Club[9] on its eastern side. This club offers various water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, rafting, water skiing, parasailing etc. A number of operators provide facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle and motor boats.[10] Van Vihar National Park, situated on the south-eastern side of the lake, attracts tourists. The road passing through it has on one side the animals in their natural habitats, and on the other side is the lake.
The other major attraction close to the lake is the Bhopal Zoo on the bank of the lake. The zoo is kept in quite natural way.[citation needed]
Biodiversity
The two lakes support flora and fauna. White stork, blacknecked stork, bareheaded goose, spoonbill etc., that have been rare sightings in the past, have started appearing. A recent phenomenon is the gathering of 100-120 sarus cranes in the lake. The largest bird of India, sarus crane (Grus antigone) is known for its size, majestic flight and lifetime pairing.[11]
Flora
106 species of Macrophytes (belonging to 87 genera of 46 families), which includes 14 rare species and 208 species of Phytoplankton comprising 106 species of Chlorophyceae, 37 species of Cyano phyceae, 34 species of Euglenophyceae, 27 species of Bacilariophyceae and 4 species of Dinophyceae.[11]
Fauna
105 species of zooplanktons, which includes (Rotifera 41, Protozoa 10, Cladocera 14, Copepoda 5, Ostracoda 9, Coleoptera 11, and Diptera 25). There are 43 species of fish (natural and cultured), 27 kinds of birds, 98 species of insect and more than 10 species of reptiles and amphibians (including 5 species of tortoise).[11]
Threat
The lake is shrinking and being polluted due to human activities in recent times. The waste and drainage generated by nearby city of Bhopal is dumped in lake affecting its ecology.[12]
Gallery
-
Bhojtal 1961 with Yacht club -
Takia Taapu and Bhojtal. -
Situated at the Bhojtal, the Boat Club offers facilities for various water sports and tourism. -
VIP Road and Bhojtal. -
A view of the Bhojtal & Raja Bhoj Road. -
Gohar Mahal Near Bhojtal. -
Bhojtal as viewed from Manav Sangrahalaya. -
Bhojtal and Raja Bhoj Statue -
Noha Installation -
Noha Installation front view
References
- ^ Bhojpal, not Bhopal? Chouhan sparks debate
- ^ "Source of potable water". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ a b "WWF Bhoj Wetland". Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ "Legend of Bhoj". Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ "भोपाल की बड़ी झील का नाम हुआ भोजताल". OneIndia (in Hindi). 26 March 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ Bhopal May Become Bhojpal Soon Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Outlook, 1 March 2011.
- ^ "Social & cultural values". Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ "Fishermen". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ "National sailing club". Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ "Boat rides". Archived from the original on 23 May 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ^ a b c "Flora and fauna". Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
- ^ Nair, Pallavi (16 February 2014). "Study presents grim tale of shrinking Upper Lake". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 May 2015.