Sukhna Lake: In News
The MSME Development and Facilitation Office (DFO), Ludhiana, and the Chandigarh tourism department recently launched a three-day pilot market access initiative at Sukhna Lake.
- Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake located in the city of Chandigarh at the foothills of the Shivalik hills.
- It came into existence in 1958 when the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream originating from the Shivalik Hills, was dammed.
- Initially spanning 230 hectares, the lake’s area diminished to approximately 154 hectares by 2007 due to siltation, leading to the creation of the Sukhna Lake Reserve Forest.
- Over time, the water level dropped from 5 meters in 1958 to 2 meters by 2004, exacerbated by significant soil erosion from the 4,200-hectare catchment area.
- The water flowing into the lake is heavily loaded with silt. Due to higher run-off, there is an accelerated pace of erosion in the catchment areas, resulting in the higher rate of sedimentation in the reservoir of Sukhna Lake and streambeds.
- The lake is fringed by a golf course to the south, and the famous Nek Chand Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west.
- The lake is declared a National Wetland by the Government of India.
- During winter, Sukhna Lake transforms into a haven for diverse migratory birds such as Siberian ducks, storks, and cranes, hosting around 30 resident and migratory species.
- The lake is also a part of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Sukhna Lake has the longest channel for rowing and yachting events in Asia.
