Indian Lakes

Keoladeo National Park: This is an important habitat for waterfowl. It is the only wintering site in India for the central and western Asian population of Siberian cranes, a highly endangered species. The population of Siberian Cranes has decreased in the last two decades. In a programme now underway, reared Siberian crane chicks are being brought to Keoladeo from USA and Siberia. Loktak Lake. The measures undertaken for the conservation of Loktak Lake so far, include afforestation of indigenous species including fruit trees; control of silt; catchment area treatment; removal of floating lands locally called phumdis in some pockets of the lake; and generating awareness about the values and functions of the wetland.

Several measures have been adopted to control the prolific growth of phumdis and water hyacinth. Weevils have been introduced for biological control of water hyacinth.Harike Lake: This wetland sustains a large number of waterfowl. Demarcation of the wetland has been attempted, and fencing has been carried out of some ponds. Afforestation of catchment area has been carried out in some critical areas to control siltation. One of the major problems faced by this wetland is the prolific growth of water hyacinth.

Wular Lake: This wetland is the source of drinking water for Srinagar, and also acts as an absorption basin for floodwater. It is an important waterfowl habitat. However, Wular Lake is subject to heavy siltation due to loss of vegetal cover in the surrounding area. Sambhar Lake: Located in the arid zone of Rajasthan, the Sambhar Lake is one of the largest inland saline lakes in India. This wetland is one of the most important wintering areas for flamingoes and pelicans. Salt extraction is one of the major activities in the wetland.

The Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh : It consists of two man-made lakes (upper and lower lakes). The upper lake was created in the 11th century by constructing an earthen dam across the Kolans river and the lower lake was constructed nearly two centuries ago. The wetland supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. Diverse flora provide ideal habitat for a large number of avifauna. Biotic interaction and natural selection have led to the development of a characteristic relationship between vegetation and the avifauna.