Kanwar Lake: The Fight to Save Asia's Largest Freshwater Oxbow Lake
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News? | Kanwar Lake, Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake and Bihar's only Ramsar site, is disappearing. |
| Type of Lake | Oxbow lake formed due to the meandering of the Gandak river. |
| Location | Indo-Gangetic plains, northern Bihar. |
| Also Known As | Kabartal jheel. |
| Formation | Formed due to erosion and sediment deposition alongside the winding Gandak river. |
| Key Features | - Crescent-shaped lake. - Important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway. - Home to 58 migratory waterbirds and over 50 fish species. - Habitat for five critically endangered species, including three vultures and two waterbirds. |
| Threats | - Encroachments and uncontrolled land expansion. - Building of embankments along Burhi Gandak river, blocking water entry. - Water management activities like drainage, abstraction, damming, and canalization. |
| Potential | With governmental restoration initiatives, it can reclaim its past grandeur and boost tourism and local employment. |