Sambhar Lake:
Environmentalists have criticised the proposed 100 MW solar power project near Sambhar Lake, warning that even a relatively small installation could disturb the fragile wetland ecosystem.
- It is located in the districts of Nagaur and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
- It is the largest inland saltwater lake in India.
- This saline wetland is elliptical in shape.
- It is surrounded on all sides by the Aravalli hills.
- The waters of five streams feed the lake: Rupangarh and Mendha are the main ones, and the lesser ones are Samoad, Khari, and Khandela.
- It was designated as a Ramsar site in the year 1990.
- It is known for the production of brine/salt and also houses one of the largest salt manufacturing units in the country. It accounts for nearly 9% of the country’s total salt production.
- The specialized algae and bacteria growing in the lake provide striking water colours – colours that also impart their distinctive hues to the salt that is harvested – and support the lake’s ecology.
- It is the most important wintering area for flamingoes (both Phoniconaias minor and Phoenicopterus roseus) in India outside the Rann of Kachchh.
- Other migratory species like pelicans, common shelduck, redshank, and common sandpiper, black-winged stilt, Kentish plover, and Ringed plover, Ruff, and Sociable lapwing are also found here.
