BHOPAL THE CITY OF LAKES
The capital city of Madhya Pradesh holds a significant number of lakes hence widely known as Bhopal the city of lakes. Upper Lake is the most significant lake of Bhopal commonly known as the Bhojtal. It’s the oldest human-made lake in the country that lies on the west of Bhopal. The locals also call it Bada Talab. Serving around 30 million gallons of water the lake is a primary source of potable water to the residents of the city..
The Lower Lake is located to the east of the Upper Lake. An earthen dam separates the two lakes. The two lakes are built in a terraced manner, the lowest level of the Upper Lake is just below the highest level of the Lower Lake.
The Lower Lake has an area (water spread) of 1.29 , and its catchment area is 9.6 km2. The lake receives subsurface seepage from the Upper Lake. In the 1850s, the maximum and minimum depths of the lake were 11.7 m and 6.16 m respectively. As of 2011, the maximum depth was 10.7m
Since agriculture is the main source of livelihood for people of Bhopal, the lake is the primary source of water for irrigation. On the eastern side of the lake, the boat club was established offering some water sports for the visitors such as parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting etc. Within its vicinity lies the scenic Kamala Park. The royal garden is flooded with tourists and visitors during the peak seasons since it's a hub for all adventure enthusiasts. The boat club, sunset, aquarium serenaded by the cool breeze of Bhopal is a perfect getaway..
Since the construction of the lake in the 11th century, Bhopal city has grown around it. The people are religiously and culturally attached to the lakes. The lakes meet their needs of water supply and they wash clothes in them (very harmful for the lake ecosystem), cultivate water chestnut in Bhojtal and lotus in Chhota Talaab. The idols of gods and goddesses are also immersed in the lake during religious festivals, though the local administration is advising devotees not to do so. The Takia island in Upper lake has a tomb of the Shah Ali Shah Rahamatullah Alla, which has religious and archaeological significance.
Bhojtal is situated on the west central part of Bhopal city and is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park on the south, human settlements on the east and north, and agriculture fields on the west. It has an area of 31 km2, and drains a catchment or watershed of 361 km2. The watershed of the Upper Lake is mostly rural, with some urbanized areas around its eastern end. The Kolans was formerly a tributary of the Halali River, but with the creation of the lake using an earthen dam and a diversion channel, the upper reach of the Kolans River and Bada Talaab now drain into the Kaliasote River.
This beautiful vast water body was named after King Bhoj who built the lake across Kolans River in the 11th-century. According to the folklore, the king constructed this humongous lake to cure himself of his skin disease. The pillar on one corner of the lake holds the statue of Raja Bhoj. The Upper Lake is separated from the lower lake by an overbridge called Pul Pukhta.....😊😊😊😊😊
Since the construction of the lake in the 11th century, Bhopal city has grown around it. The people are religiously and culturally attached to the lakes. The lakes meet their needs of water supply and they wash clothes in them (very harmful for the lake ecosystem), cultivate water chestnut in Bhojtal and lotus in Chhota Talaab. The idols of gods and goddesses are also immersed in the lake during religious festivals, though the local administration is advising devotees not to do so. The Takia island in Upper lake has a tomb of the Shah Ali Shah Rahamatullah Alla, which has religious and archaeological significance.
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