Man Sagar Lake

Man Sagar Lake
The Jal Mahal floating on the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur
Man Sagar Lake
Location	Jaipur
Coordinates	26.956°N 75.85°E / 26.956; 75.85
Lake type	Artificial
Catchment area	23.5 km2 (9.1 sq mi)
Basin countries	India
Surface area	139 ha (1.39 km2)
Max. depth	4.5 m (15 ft)

Man Sagar Lake is an artificial lake, situated in Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan in India. It is named after Raja Man Singh, the then ruler of Amer, who constructed it in c. 1610 by damming the Dravyavati river. The Jal Mahal is situated in the middle of the lake.

Topography

Aravalli hills in Jaipur

The lake, situated to the north of Jaipur city lies between Amer, the historic city and Jaipur, the provincial headquarters of Rajasthan state. It has a water spread area of 300 acres (121 ha) and is enclosed by the Aravalli hills on the north, west and eastern sides, while the southern side consists of plains that are intensely inhabited. There is the Nahargarh Fort (Nahargarh meaning home of tigers) in the hills that provides a commanding view of the Man Sagar Lake and the Jal Mahal palace, in addition to a beautiful view of the city of Jaipur. The lake was created by constructing a dam across the Darbhawati River, between Khilagarh hills and the hilly areas of Nahargarh, in the 16th century. The catchment area (watershed) for the lake is 23.5 square kilometres (9.1 sq mi) contributed by a semi-urban area as to 50% (generating in heavy rains unpaved street erosion) and hilly terrain accounting for the balance, being the largely-deforested or precipitous Aravalli hills, which also creates siltation. It is believed such deposition did not have to be fixed with dredging and filtration before the 20th century. Rainfall averages 657.4 millimetres (25.88 in) per year (90% of which occurs during June to September). The outlet end of the dam feeds a large irrigation system (obligatory water demand for this is reported to be 2,410,000 cubic metres during the five months from November to March). Two large nalas (streams) that also drain the surrounding Nahargarh hills and Jaipur are the Brahmpuri and Nagtalai, which bring in untreated sewage, in addition to sediment run-offs of unpaved streets.

The Aravalli hills surrounding the lake area, towards the north east of Jaipur, have quartzite rock formations (with a thin layer of soil cover). Rock exposures on the surface in some parts of the project area have also been utilised for constructing buildings. From the north east, the Kanak Vrindavan valley, where a temple complex sits, the hills slope gently towards the lake edge. Within the lake area, the ground area is made up of a thick mantle of soil, blown sand and alluvium. Forest denudation, particularly in the hilly areas, has caused soil erosion, compounded by wind and water action. Due to these human factors silt built-up in the lake raises the bed level of the lake annually by many centimetres.

Geology and soils

The hills surrounding the lake area, towards the north east of Jaipur, have quartzite rock formations (with a thin layer of soil cover), which is part of the Aravalli hills range. Rock exposures on the surface in some parts of the project area have also been utilised for constructing buildings. From the north east, the Kanak Vrindavan valley, where a temple complex is situated, the hills slope gently towards the lake edge. Within the lake area, the ground area is made up of a thick mantle of soil, blown sand and alluvium. Forest denudation, particularly in the hilly areas, has caused soil erosion, compounded by wind and water action. Due to this, silt built up in the lake resulting in a raising of the bed level of the lake.

During 1596 AD, a severe famine in this region was linked to an acute shortage of water. The then ruler of Amer was, therefore, motivated to build a dam to store water to overcome the severe hardships caused by the famine to the inhabitants. A dam was constructed, initially using earth and quartzite, across the eastern valley between Amer hills and Amagarh hills. The dam was later converted into a stone masonry structure in the 17th century. The dam, as existing now (see picture), is about 300 metres (980 ft) long and 28.5–34.5 metres (94–113 ft) in width. It is provided with three sluice gates for release of water for irrigation of agricultural land in the down stream area. Since then, the dam, the lake and the palace in its midst have undergone several rounds of restoration under various rulers of Rajasthan but the final restoration in the 18th century is credited to Jai Singh II of Amer. During this period, a number of other historical and religious places, such as the Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Khilangarh Fort, and Kanak Vrindavan Valley were also built in the vicinity. All of these places are now linked by a tourist corridor of roads.

Panoramic view of "Jal Mahal in Jaipur"

In recent years, with the urbanisation of Jaipur city and areas surrounding the lake, the ecological system of the lake and its vicinity deteriorated drastically. It became heavily silted thereby reducing the surface area of the lake. The silt deposited (estimated to be about 2,500,000 cubic metres) was contaminated with effluents (untreated sewage) from the city's drainage system causing intense eutrophication. The ground water surrounding the lake was also found to be highly contaminated and created serious health hazards. The rainwater combined with sewage water flow from the city resulted in the lake water giving off a foul smell. Water samples collected from the lake were tested and found to clearly show that the water quality was not uniform. It was extremely poor in southeast, south and southwest due to the influent nalas. The water quality parameters of BOD and total nitrogen recorded were 20 mg/L each. BOD values indicated high levels of organic matter. COD showed a very high level of oxidisable chemicals. Nitrate and phosphate content were excessive. Coliform counts was more than 500 times the norm. The Chloride content was found to be fatal to plants and fish.

A view of the Nesting Islands along the banks of Mansagar Lake, Jaipur

Hydrology

The fresh water draining into the lake is seasonal during the rainy months of July to September. This flow originates from 325 small and large streams that drain from the hilly catchment of the lake. The two municipal nalas from Jaipur city contribute a perennial flow to the lake. The volume of water in the lake has been assessed as 3,130,000 cubic metres at the maximum water level. During the dry season, from October to June, it is said to be about 360,000 cubic metres. The depth of water at the deepest location in the lake is recorded at a maximum of 4.5 metres (15 ft) and a minimum of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). In addition, the stored water is also used for irrigation at the downstream end of the lake during the summer months resulting in a drying up of the lake during these months.

The lake is a fetid polluted body of water that stinks all year round.

Flora and fauna

The hills surrounding the lake area, towards the north east of Jaipur, have quartzite rock formations (with a thin layer of soil cover), which is part of Aravalli hills range. Rock exposures on the surface in some parts of the project area have also been utilised for constructing buildings. From the north east, the Kanak Vrindavan valley, where a temple complex is situated, the hills slope gently towards the lake edge. Within the lake area, the ground area is made up of a thick mantle of soil, blown sand and alluvium. Forest denudation, particularly in the hilly areas, has caused soil erosion, compounded by wind and water action. Due to this, silt built up in the lake resulting in a raising of the bed level of the lake. The flora is dictated by the subsidiary Edaphic type of dry tropical forests in the catchment; the total forest area of 9.01 square kilometres (3.48 sq mi) comprises dense forest cover of 6.45 square kilometres (2.49 sq mi) area, degraded forest of 0.95 square kilometres (0.37 sq mi) and encroachment of 1.61 square kilometres (0.62 sq mi). The dominant floral species found in the area is Dhauk (Anogeissus pendula), which has lean foliage. The low vegetation cover and steep gradient of the hills causes substantial erosion and the eroded material flows into the lake. On the western side, beyond the urbanised area, the Nahargarh hills on the western side are also denuded, which has reduced its moisture retaining capacity.

Flamingo

Common moorhen

The reserve forest area of the lake catchment has several wild life species such as deer, jungle cat, striped hyena, Indian fox, Indian wild boar and leopards.

The lake used to be a bird watcher's paradise in the past and was a favourite ground for the Rajput kings of Jaipur for royal duck shooting parties during picnics. The lake was natural habitat for more than 150 species of local and migratory birds that included large flamingo, great crested grebe, pintail, pochards, kestrel, coot, redshank, marsh sandpiper, ruff, herring gull, red-breasted flycatcher, grey wagtail, but their numbers declined with the deterioration of the lake. Now, with restoration works undertaken, the birds have started visiting the lake again, though not to the same degree as in the past. In order to attract attention to the lake's condition, a private initiative of holding an annual birding fair was started in 1997. It is reported that the common moorhen, a resident species has started breeding in large numbers at the lake. The other birds seen now are the grey heron, white-browed wagtail and blue-tailed bee-eaters. The lake was also home for a large species of the aquatic ecosystem such as fish, insects, microorganisms and aquatic vegetation.

Birds of Man Sagar Lake

Throughout the year, more than 180 species of birds (www.birdlife.net) have been recorded at the Birding Fair site, making it as a great attraction to bird watchers. As the lake is being restored and islands have been created for bird nesting, more species in bigger number are expected to settle here.

The checklist of birds at around man sagar is below:

1.	Great Crested Grebe
2.	Little Grebe
3.	Greater Flamingo
4.	Lesser Flamingo
5.	Eurasian Spoonbill
6.	White Necked Stork
7.	Painted Stork
8.	Great White Pelican
9.	Dalmatian Pelican
10.	Great Cormorant
11.	Indian Cormorant
12.	Little Cormorant
13.	Oriental Darter
14.	Grey Heron
15.	Pond Heron
16.	Night Heron
17.	Cattle Egret
18.	Great Egret
19.	Median Egret
20.	Small Egret
21.	Ruddy Shelduck
22.	Lesser Whistling Duck
23.	Wigeon
24.	Garganey
25.	Pintail
26.	Mallard
27.	Gadwall
28.	Shoveler
29.	Spotbill Duck
30.	Common Teal
31.	Cotton Teal
32.	Redcrested Pochard
33.	Common Pochard
34.	White eyed Pochard
35.	Tufted Pochard
36.	Barheaded Geese
37.	Black Shouldered Kite
38.	Pariah Kite
39.	Brahminy Kite
40.	Shikra
41.	Eurasian Sparrowhawk
42.	Lesser Spotted Eagle
43.	Short toed Eagle
44.	Marsh Harrier
45.	Osprey
46.	King Vulture
47.	White Backed Vulture
48.	Egyptian Vulture
49.	Eurasian Hobby
50.	Laggar Falcon
51.	Common Kestrel
52.	Grey Francolin
53.	Common Quail
54.	Jungle Bush Quail
55.	Common Peafowl
56.	Brown Crake
57.	White breasted
58.	Common Moorhen
59.	Common Coot
60.	Pheasant tailed Jacana
61.	Bronze winged Jacana
62.	Common Snipe
63.	Painted Snipe
64.	Pied Avocet
65.	Black winged Stilt
66.	Red wattled Lapwing
67.	White tailed Lapwing
68.	Little ringed Plover
69.	Kentish Plover
70.	Common Redshank
71.	Common Greenshank
72.	Marsh Sandpiper
73.	Wood Sandpiper
74.	Common Sandpiper
75.	Green Sandpiper
76.	Little Stint
77.	Temminck's Stint
78.	Dunlin
79.	Ruff
80.	Black tailed Godwit
81.	Herring Gull
82.	Brown headed Gull
83.	Whiskered Tern
84.	Indian River Tern
85.	Little Tern
86.	Gull billed
87.	Green Pigeon
88.	Blue Rock Pigeon
89.	Ring Dove
90.	Red turtle Dove
91.	Little Brown Dove
92.	Rose ringed Parakeet
93.	Plum headed Parakeet
94.	Koel
95.	Common Hawk Cuckoo
96.	Pied Crested Cuckoo
97.	Greater Coucal
98.	Spotted Owlet
99.	Indian Jungle Nightjar
100.	House Swift
101.	Palm Swift
102.	Pied Kingfisher
103.	Common Kingfisher
104.	White breasted
105.	Blue tailed Bee-eater
106.	Blue cheeked Bee-eater
107.	Green Bee-eater
108.	Indian Roller
109.	Common Hoopoe
110.	Common Grey Hornbill
111.	Coppersmith Barbet
112	Black rumped
113.	Yellow crowned
114.	Plain Martin
115.	Sand Martin
116.	Dusky crag Martin
117.	Wire tailed Swallow
118.	Red rumped Swallow
119.	Grey Shrike
120.	Bay backed Shrike
121.	Long tailed Shrike
122.	Golden Oriole
123.	Black Drongo
124.	White bellied Drongo
125.	Large Cuckooshrike
126.	Common Woodshrike
127.	Brahminy Starling
128.	Pied Starling
129.	Rosy Starling
130.	Common Starling
131.	Common Myna
132.	Bank Myna
133.	Indian Tree-pie
134.	House Crow
135.	Indian Pitta
136.	Small Minivet
137.	White bellied Minivet
138.	Common Iora
139.	Redvented Bulbul
140.	White cheeked Bulbul
141.	Common Babbler
142.	Large Grey Babbler
143.	Jungle Babbler
144.	Paradise Flycatcher
145.	Red breasted Flycatcher
146.	Grey headed Flycatcher
147.	White browed Fantail
148.	Grey breasted Prinia
149.	Rufous fronted Prinia
150.	Ashy Prinia
151.	Plain Prinia
152.	Oriental White eye
153.	Common Tailor Bird
154.	Lesser White throat
155.	Common Chiffchaff
156.	Indian Robin
157.	Magpie Robin
158.	Black Redstart
159.	Brown Rock Chat
160.	Pied Bushchat
161.	Common Stonechat
162.	Orange headed Thrush
163.	Yellow Wagtail
164.	Yellow headed Wagtail
165.	Grey Wagtail
166.	White Wagtail
167.	Large pied Wagtail
168.	Tawny Pipit
169.	Indian Tree-Pipit
170.	Paddyfield Pipit
171.	Rufous tailed Lark
172.	Oriental Sky Lark
173.	Purple Sunbird
174.	Grey Tit
175.	House Sparrow
176.	Chestnut shouldered
177.	Baya Weaver
178.	White rumped Munia
179.	Indian Silverbill
180.	Crested Bunting