The 141-hectare Ansupa Lake is a horseshoe shaped fresh water lake on
the left bank of the river Mahanadi ,
opposite Banki
sub-dividision in Cuttack district, Odisha ,India. It is
bounded by Saranda hills on the western side and Bishnupur hills on its
northern side, part of eastern Ghat region and enclosed by bamboo tree greenery
and mango trees. This lake has assumed international importance, as it is home
to several migratory birds from far Siberia,
Europe etc in the wintry weather season (until recent past) as well as
domiciled birds.
According to the inland wetlands of India
report, there were 11,860 individuals from 42 bird species The lake is of
national importance due to its unique bio diversity character. The Ansupa Lake
is declared a Community Reserve according to the amendment made in the Wildlife
Protection Act (1972) in 2003. Nearby Saranda
Hill was a home for many animals like peacocks, boars etc. Now the Hill has
turned bald due to tree felling. Peacocks have vanished. Lake is fast buried
with soil erosion form the hill. Due to various environmental
degradations like siltation, decrease in flow circulation of water, closer of
inlet and outlet mechanism of flow of water, highly entropic condition, weed
infestation, the lake is degrading very fast threatening the eco system. As a
result, the fishery and tourism potentials were adversely affected. A recent
study of 2007, done using Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite has indicated
that about 30% of the total 317 ha lake area has been completely occupied for
agriculture, while nearly aquatic weeds infest 12%. Heavy exploitation of
vegetation from the nearby hills accompanied with siltation, increased growth
of water hyacinth, and algae are turning the lake into a swamp. Reclamation of
land for fishing and agriculture is going unhindered, making the situation
worsened. Both the lake and the hill are dying.
Realizing the importance of
conserving the lake, the State Govt. has initiated an Integrated Sustainable
Environmental Management Program. Let people
come up for conservation of the beautiful lake.
| Premananda Mohanty |
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