Vembanad Lake

The famous lake located in Kerala is Vembanad Lake. It is also popularly known as Vembanad Kayal or Kochi Lake. The lake is quite popular as it is situated in the heart of Kerala Backwaters. Several resorts are located at its bank, making it one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala.

The Vembanad Lake is the largest in Kerala and is known to be the longest lake in India.

About the Vembanad Lake

• Vembanad Lake also goes by the names Vembanad Kol, Kochi Lake (in Kochi), Vembanad Kayal, and Punnamada Lake (near Kuttanad)
• It stretches over multiple districts in Kerala, encompassing an area of more than 2033.02 km2
• The Achankovil, Manimala, Pampa, and Meenachil rivers all join into this lake.
• It is a significant backwater in Kerala, which is separated from the Arabian Sea by a thin barrier island
• The Indian Government has designated the Vembanad wetland as part of the National Wetlands Conservation Programme
• Snake Boat Race, known as Vallam Kali or the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, is an annual event that takes place at the Vembanad Lake in August
• Willingdon Island, a seaport in Kochi's metropolis, was carved out of Vembanad Lake in 2019
• Thanneermukkom, a 1252 m long saltwater barrier created to prevent saltwater intrusion into Kuttanad, is one of the lake's most notable features
• It was made a part of the list of wetlands of international significance in the Ramsar Convention in 2002
• After the Sundarbans in West Bengal, it is India's second-largest Ramsar site
• On the east side of the lake is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Vembanad Lake Features

• The location of the Vembanad Lake in Kerala will be depicted as the Vembanad Lake on the India map
• The lake is 96.5 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide, with a depth of 12 metres (39 feet)
• The National Wetlands Conservation Programme has also acknowledged it
• Vembanad-Kol Wetland is the official name of the lake

Vembanad Lake Problems

Heavy metals and pesticides have heavily contaminated the Vembanad lake. As a result, those living near and around the lake face several health hazards.

Also, several biochemicals are disposed of in the lake without any treatment.

Furthermore, home garbage and industrial activity have significantly impacted this area in Kerala. The transparency and depth of the Vembanad estuary and the dissolved oxygen level have both decreased due to this.

The decline in oxygen levels is primarily due to sewage discharge and houseboat tourists. Rusted boats, rubbish dumping, and development operations in Alappuzha's waterways have resulted in massive contamination.

The Vembanad lake is one of the most popular lakes in Kerala as it is pretty long. Also, it is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala. However, the lake is getting polluted due to some human activities, and its ecosystem is badly affected.

Therefore, the Government is now taking several measures to preserve the lake.

FAQs on Vembanad Lake

Q.1. Is Vembanad Lake the largest lake in Kerala?

Yes, The Vembanad lake is the largest in Kerala.

Q.2. Is Vembanad Lake the longest lake in India?

Yes, The Vembanad lake is the longest in India.

Q.3. Where is the Vembanad lake situated?

The Vembanad lake is situated in Kerala and is an integral part of the Kerala backwaters.

Q.4. How deep is the Vembanad lake?

The Vembanad lake is around 12 metres deep.

Q.5. The Vembanad lake Kerala is a part of which conservation program?

The Vembanad lake is a part of the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.