| Singanallur Lake | |
|---|---|
  Singanallur Lake | |
| Location | Singanallur,Coimbatore,India |
| Coordinates | 10°59′20.59″N77°1′21.88″E / 10.9890528°N 77.0227444°E /10.9890528; 77.0227444 |
| Primary inflows | Noyyal River canal |
| Basin countries | India |
| Surface area | 1.153 km2 (0.445 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 4.25 m (13.9 ft) |
| Water volume | 52,270,000 m3 (0.01254 cu mi) |
| Shore length1 | 3.1 km (1.9 mi) |
| Settlements | Coimbatore |
| 1 Shore length isnot a well-defined measure. | |
Singanallur Lake is alake inSinganallur,Coimbatore,South India. It is spread over an area of 1.153 km2 (0.445 sq mi) and has an average depth of 4.25 m (13.9 ft).[1] It is one of the 9 large lakes in the city.
The lake is fed by canals derived fromNoyyal River. The lake also receives water from Sanganur drain and sewage water. The water can be released through two sluice gates on the lake.[1] In 2010, pipes were laid to connecting the lake toValankulam Lake to drain excess water during floods.[2]
Eichornia crassipes is the main aquatic plant species causingeutrophication of the lake. The insect species included four ordersOrthoptera,Coleoptera,Hemiptera andOdonata.[3]
The lake supports a rich bio-diversity consisting of plankton, butterflies, resident and migratory birds. Various species ofbutterflies includingcommon Mormon,joker butterfly,glassy tiger andplain tiger have been spotted in the lake.[4] Over 110 species of birds have been spotted in the lake. Thespot-billed pelican,painted stork,openbill stork,ibis,Indian spot-billed duck,teal andblack-winged stilt visit the lake during their migration. Various families of birds recorded includecormorants,herons,storks,ibis,kites,ducks,francolin,crakes,jacanas,plovers,sandpipers,terns,doves and pigeons,parakeet,cuckoos,owls,swifts,kingfishers,bee-eaters,rollers,barbets,woodpeckers,larks,swallows,wagtails,shrikes,bulbul,robin,babblers,warblers,flycatchers,flowerpecker,sunbirds,munias,sparrows,weavers,myna,orioles,drongos andcrows.[5]
Fishing is carried out by local fishermen and enthusiasts. In the 2000s, due to encroachment and the fishes were infected with metals and pathogens from polluted waste water discharged from the sewage.[1]
A railway track connectingPodanur andIrugur passes over the lake.[1]
In 2006, the lake was encroached bywater hyacinth and contaminated due to effluents released into the lake.[6] In 2014,Coimbatore Corporation unveiled a plan to clear the encroachments and use the lake for recreation. In January 2015, the lake was cleared and made ready for commercial tourism purposes.
Singanallur boat house was opened in 2005 and was closed in 2009 due to poor maintenance.[7] In 2014, after theCoimbatore Corporation plan to de-silt the lake, the boat house was renovated.[8] TheGovernment of Tamil Nadu will introduce water sports and boating on the lake.[4] Despite the increased inflow of tourists since renovation, tourists complain of unavailability of boats.[7]
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