- Location: Sasthamkotta Lake (also known as Sasthamcotta Lake) is the largest natural freshwater lake in Kerala, situated in the Kollam district along the southern part of India’s west coast. It lies about 29 km from Kollam town.
- Type: Freshwater lake, Inland wetland.
- Area: Sasthamkotta Lake covers an area of about 375 hectares.
- Ramsar Site: It has been designated as a Ramsar site since November 2002.
- Name Origin: Named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage centre) situated on its bank.
- Queen of Lakes: Sasthamkotta Lake is popularly called the “Queen of Lakes” because of its serene, spring-fed waters, surrounding lush hills and valleys on three sides, and adjoining paddy fields.
- Ecology: It is a lentic ecosystem (still water) rather than a lotic one (flowing water)
- Water Supply: It is largely fed by underground springs.
- Water Quality: The lake is famous for the presence of a larva called “Cavaborus (larvae)” that consumes bacteria, maintaining the purity of the water.
- Drinking Water Source: It fulfills the drinking water needs of nearly half a million people in the Kollam district.
- Flora:
- The eastern shore of the lake hosts the insectivorous plant Drosera species.
- Vegetation within the lake is minimal, with rooted and floating plants being largely insignificant.
- The surrounding banks support crops such as paddy.
- Plantation crops grown nearby include cashew, tapioca, and plantain.
- Aquatic Fauna:
- The lake supports 27 species of freshwater fish, including pearl spot (Etroplus suratensis) and catfish.
- Two genera of prawns are also found in the lake.
- About 21 species of herrings and sardines belonging to the Clupeidae family are present.
- Common fish such as Calichrous bimaculatus and Wallago attu are found, characterized by whisker-like barbels around their mouths.
- The common teal (dabbling duck), the smallest migratory bird, is also observed in the lake.
- Threatened Species: Several species reported by WWF in the Sasthamkotta lake area fall under threatened categories:
- Critically Endangered: Puntius ticto punctatus
- Endangered: Horabagrus brachysoma
- Vulnerable: Parambassis thomassi
FAQs
Q. Sasthamkotta Lake is in which district?
A. Sasthamkotta Lake is located in the Kollam district of Kerala, India.
Q. Is Sasthamkotta Lake natural or artificial?
A. Sasthamkotta Lake is a natural freshwater lake.
Q. Is Sasthamkotta Lake a Ramsar site?
A. Yes, Sasthamkotta Lake has been designated as a Ramsar site since November 2002.
Q. Sasthamkotta Lake is fed by which river?
A. Sasthamkotta Lake is not fed by any river; it is mainly fed by underground springs.
Q. Which lake is called the “Queen of Lakes”?
A. Sasthamkotta Lake is popularly known as the “Queen of Lakes.”
Q. What is the shape of Sasthamkotta Lake?
A. Sasthamkotta Lake has an irregular shape with gently curving boundaries surrounded by hills and plains.
Q. What is the speciality of Sasthamkotta Lake?
A. The speciality of Sasthamkotta Lake lies in its naturally pure water, which is maintained by Cavaborus larvae that consume bacteria, and its role as a major drinking water source for the Kollam district.