Udaisagar Lake, one of the five prominent lakes of

Udaipur Udaipur () (ISO 15919: ''Udayapura''), historically named as Udayapura, is a city and municipal corporation in Udaipur district of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is the administrative headquarter of Udaipur district. It is the historic capit ...

, is situated around 13 km in the east of Udaipur. This lake was built by

Maharana Udai Singh Udai Singh II (4 August 1522 – 28 February 1572) was the Maharana of Mewar and the founder of the city of Udaipur in the present-day Rajasthan state of India. He was the 12th ruler of the Udaipur State, Kingdom of Mewar. He was the fourth so ...

in 1565. Udai Sagar Lake is around 4 km in length, 2.5 km in width and 9 meters deep at the maximum. It is fed by the

Ahar River The Ahar River is a tributary of the Berach River (itself a tributary of Banas River, which in turn is a tributary of Chambal river, itself a tributary of Yamuna River, which in turn is the most important tributary of Ganges River). The rive ...

History

In 1559, Maharana Udai Singh constructed a dam on Berach River to ensure adequate supply of water in his kingdom. Udai Sagar Lake was developed as an outcome of this dam. This dam at Udaisagar Lake drains about 479 km², and covers an area of 10.5 km².

Threats to the lake

According to a study made on the environmental pollution of Udaisagar, Udai sagar lake's water revealed high phosphate contents, due to discharge of pollutants from surrounding phosphorite mines, chemical factories, distillery, sewage and domestic waste from settlements and hotels. All these pollutants, reaching this lake through the River Ahar, make the water unhygienic for human consumption and unfavourable for survival of aquatic life.

Lake restoration works

The task of restoration and transformation of the Lake Udai Sagar and Goverdhan Sagar is taken up by National Lake Conservation Program (NLCP). Udaipur is the first city in the state where all 4 lakes will be developed under the NLCP. The key undertakings under this program include: * Curbing pollution in the lakes. * Restrictions on disposal of waste products and sewerage in the lakes. * Restrictions on mining activities in the catchment areas. * Conservation of wildlife around the lakes. * Protection of birds as well as heritage properties.

References

{{Udaipur Reservoirs in Rajasthan Lakes of Udaipur Tourist attractions in Udaipur 1565 establishments in India

History

Threats to the lake

Lake restoration works

See also

References