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Bhopal (Bhoj Wetlands)
General Information
| Description |
Upper Bhopal Lake is arguably the oldest man-made lake in India, and was created by Raja Bhoj in the 11th Century by constructing an earthen dam across the Kolans river. The Upper & Lower Bhopal lakes (also known as Bhoj Wetlands) are urban water bodies. The upper lake is a major source of potable water for the people of the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The lower lake was constructed much later on the down stream of the dam of Upper lake. |
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| Country |
India
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| Latitude |
23° 12' 0"
(23.2000) |
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| Longitude |
77° 18'
0" (77.3000) |
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Maps
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Bhopal Lakes global index map (LakeNet Explorer)
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Bhopal Lakes locator map |
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Lake Basin Management Initiative (LakeNet Explorer)
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Physical Characteristics
| Description |
The eastern catchment of Upper lake is urban whereas the western catchment is rural in nature. The Lower lake is surrounded from all sides by human settlements. |
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| Surface Area |
32.29 km2 |
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| Depth |
Maximum depth: 11.7 m
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| Age |
0 - 10,000 years before present
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| Origin |
Human Made
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| Type |
Fresh
Permanent
Reservoir
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| Catchment |
Catchment size: 371.00
km2
Catchment/surface area ratio: 11:1 |
Socio-Political
| Economic Value |
The Upper Lake is a source of potable water and meets 40% of the demand i.e. 29 MGD of drinking water for the city’s growing population. Its fishing rights have been given on long lease by the BMC to a fisherman co-operative consisting of some 500 fishermen families. The Lower Lake is mainly a recreational site. The livelihood of 250 washer-men families belonging to socio-economically weaker sections of the society is dependent on the Lower Lake. |
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| Major Cities |
Bhopal |
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| Population |
500,000 (2003) |
Watershed Management
| Description |
Several in-lake treatment measures have been taken to remove eutrophication and improve water quality including dredging and de-silting, de-weeding and water hyacinth removal. |
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| Watershed Action Plan |
Implementation underway |
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| Sub-basin Action Plan |
Implementation underway |
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| Issues |
Water scarcity has become the most serious problem facing hte Bhopal lakes. During the 20th Century anthropogenic degradation of the water supply has been attributed to human population growth, urbanization, industrialization and chemically-intensive agriculture. |
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| Invasive Species |
Moderate Impact |
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| Other Issues |
Erosion
Invasive Species
Lake Levels (water quantity)
Nutrient pollution
Point source pollution
Toxics
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| Monitoring |
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| Monitoring Programs |
In-Lake
Water Quality
Biological Resources and Habitats
Lake Use
Tributaries/Watershed
Water Quality
Biological Resources and Habitats
Land Use
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Biodiversity Conservation
| Description |
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| Designations |
Ramsar Site
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| Species of Concern |
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LakeNet Programs
Documents
Resources
News
Additional Data Sources
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Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The List of Wetlands of International Importance. |
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