Kodaikanal Lake (Kodai Lake), Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal Lake, also known as Kodai Lake is a
manmade lake located in the Kodaikanal city in Dindigul
district in Tamilnadu, India. Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the then Collector
of Madurai, was instrumental in creating the lake in 1863, amidst
the Kodaikanal town which was developed by the British and early missionaries from USA. The lake is
said to be Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist
attraction.
Over the years a boat club, boathouse and boat service
(with rowing boats and pedaling boats and a public ferry) for the public and
tourists has become fully functional and is of aesthetic significance for
tourism. Boat Pageants and Flower Shows are regular feature in the summer
season which attracts tourists.
Considered as one of the most popular geographic
landmarks and tourist attractions, this lake is located at a distance of 3 km
from the bus stand. Perched at an elevation of 2,285 m above sea level, this
lake is star shaped. Enclosing an area of around 60 acres, the lake has an
average depth of 3 m.
This star-shaped deep blue lake amidst the emerald green
wooded slopes sparkles like a jewel in the crown, it is spread over 60 acres
with a circumference of 6 kms and is rimmed by a lighted and paved promenade
and bicycle path around the lake. Kurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a unique
bright blue bell-shaped flower marks its presence in the catchment area of the
lake. Kurinji is the famous flower which makes the Nilgiri hills blue. Kurinji
blooms once in every 12 years, it is reported that it last bloomed in 2004 and
it is expected to blossom in 2016 next. The best time to visit Kodai Lake would
be in the early morning or just around sunset.
The lake is situated at 10 deg 14' n latitude and 77 deg
28' longitude at an elevation of 2285m above sea level and it looks magnificent
with star shaped glittering water, in the midst of evergreen lush slopes. The
hills receive the rainfall during North-East Monsoon months of October,
November and December. The lake is spread over 60 acres and surrounded by fine
tarred road of 6 kms length, the maximum depth in 1962 was 11.5m but it is now
about 9m due to siltation. The average depth is 3.0m. The boat club provides
boats for hire. There are luxury boats also. The famous Carlton hotel is facing
the lake and the hotel is having their boats for their customers.
Access
A railway line extended from Chennai to Tirunelveli with an intermediate station at Ammaianayakkanur
(later renamed Kodai Road) was built in 1875, to provide a gateway to
Kodaikanal town and there on to the lake through a foot trek of 18 km from
the railhead. The nearest railheads to the lake presently are the Kodai Road
railway Station at 80 km and the Palani Railway station at 64 km distance, from the
town. Madurai (at 121 km) and Coimbatore (at 135 km) airports are the closest to the
Lake.
Kodai Lake is well connected by road with regular bus
services operating to Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli, Kumily, Erode, Bangalore and Coimbatore.
History
The Kodaikanal Lake was created in 1863, by Sir Vere Hendry
Levinge, the Collector of Madurai, who settled in Kodai after his retirement. A
marshy lakeside was transformed by him into a spectacular lake by strengthening
its banks and by bringing the first boat from Tuticorin. He also stocked this
new lake with several species of local fish. He was the man of resource and
creative ideas for this lake. By spending his own money he converted the marshy
land with several streams of lake by constructing a strong bund and brought
boats from Tuticorin. It is reported that the foreign resident's even used to
swim in the lake.
The lake was developed as the heart of Kodaikanal, when
the town itself was being developed by the British and early missionaries from
USA. The Kodaikanal Boat Club was formed in 1890. Tourists today will find
three different Boat Clubs with a variety of boats available for hire.
Topography
The lake is star-shaped, centrally located in the town
of Kodaikanal and is surrounded by lush green hills of the northwestern Palani
Hills range, which is the
main watershed for the lake.
Hydrology
An earthen dam was constructed to create the lake in a
marshy where three streams flowed. The lake catchment experiences an average
annual rainfall of 1650 mm. The climate is salubrious with summer
temperatures of 19.8 °C (max) and 11.3 °C (min) and winter
temperatures of 17.3 °C (max) and 8.3 °C (min).[2] The out flow from the Lake forms the waterfall of
180 foot, called the Silver Cascade, 8 km downstream of the lake outlet.
Flora
Kurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a unique flowering plant is reported from the
catchment area of the Lake. It is reported that this flower last bloomed in
2004 and that it blooms once in 12 years. Hill-plantain fruits and plums are
popular in the area.
Aqua fauna
The Lake has moderate to dense growth of macrophytes of all types. The littoral zone of the lake
is reported to be rich in periphytic biota associated with
macrophytes. Diatoms, protozoans & rotifers which are also associated with macrophytes are
found in the lake.
Many aquatic insect larvae and adults, molluscs, cladocerans and the fish Danio aequipinnatus, Rasbora daniconius and Gambusia
affinis are reported.
Rainbow trout and common
carp are the main fish found in the lake. The fish
yield as per past records was 5.3 kg /ha/year. Recently two new
species of diatom was found in this lake.
Attractions
Tourists visiting this artificial lake can take a walk
around this lake or can enjoy several activities such as cycle rides and horse
rides. In addition, fishing can also be done at this lake; however tourists
need to obtain permission from Inspector of Fisheries. Boating can also be
enjoyed on this lake, for which boats are provided by Tamil Nadu Tourist
Development Corporation and Kodaikanal Boat & Rowing Club. Pony rides by
children and adults walking around the lake are part of Kodai Holiday.
The lake at Kodai is beautifully landscaped and it
appears to be de rigueur for Indian families to get out on a boat. Both the
Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club and Tamil Nadu Tourist Development Corporation
hire similar boats for similar prices: Rs. 20 to 40 for a two-seater pedal boat
to Rs. 125 (including boatman) for a kasmiri shikara (covered gondola - like
boat) for 30 minutes.
Tourists spend the majority of the time in and around
Kodai Lake, enjoying boat rides and other water sports. A must do for all
visitors is to take an invigorating and refreshing walk along the road which
rims the Lake. Tourists can rent a paddle or row boat to hit the water themselves.
Or just sit on the edge of the lake and relish the paradisiacal view.
Children will be extremely happy to enjoy the pony rides
or just play around on the lush banks. Cycling and horse riding are other
choices available to tourists.
Fishing and swimming are permitted for members of the
Kodaikanal Boat Club in the lake, which is commonly not the case in other
lakes. During a part of the year, provisional membership is given to guests.
Standing by the lake and watching the sunset is an unforgettable experience.
If tourists want to take back souvenirs, there are
several small shops and restaurants that are located within walking distance
from the lake. Visitors can stop by and shop for delicious cheese and homemade
chocolates.
Flower
Show:
Look out for Boat Pageant and Flower Shows which are a
regular feature in the summer season that attract tourists.
Condition of the lake
Human health risk assessment of the physico-chemical
parameters of the lake water reveals that:
· As per microbial analysis, the water is not potable and needs to be
processed prior to domestic use.
· Several ecological factors
have influenced the plankton diversity and abundance.
·
Eight aquatic macro
invertebrate taxa have been
identified.
· Tourists and nearby residents are causative factors for
lake contamination and water
pollution;
· Encroachment of the banks
of the lake by buildings has violated the court order which prohibits
constructions within 200 ft from the banks of the lake;
· The impact on the quality
of water is transitory as compared to closed water body.
·
High pollution loads
of organic matter from hotels and other commercial establishments
around the lake are causing pollution.
· A study conducted by the
Department of Atomic Energy confirmed that Kodaikanal Lake has been contaminated
by mercury emissions.
Lake conservation plan
The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India has initiated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called
the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), since June, 2001, on 70:30 cost
sharing basis between the Central Government and the respective State
Government, with the objective of restoring and conserving the polluted and
degraded lakes in urban and semi urban areas in the country. On the basis of
studies carried out, 62 lakes including the Kodaikanal Lake in Tamil
Nadu have been identified as polluted and degraded
requiring conservation.
Treatment and eco-restoration works for the Kodaikanal
Lake were undertaken by the Government of Tamil Nadu with funds provided by the
Govt. of India, under the above stated cost sharing formula, by the National
Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to
abate pollution and, thereby benefit the local and floating population. The
project envisaged Bio remediation, Sewage Treatment, Low cost sanitation
Facilities, awareness, de- Weeding, Interception and Diversion Works, Fencing,
Horse sheds, Data Collection and Dredging, at a total cost of about Rs 10.33
crores (US $2.6 million).
