Vynthala Lake

Oxbow lake in Thrissur District, Kerala
10°15′38″N 76°17′40″E / 10.26056°N 76.29444°E / 10.26056; 76.29444Typeoxbow lakeBasin countriesIndiaSurface area7 ha (17 acres)Surface elevation1,800 ft (549 m)SettlementsMala

Vynthala Lake (Malayalam: വൈന്തല തടാകം) is a natural oxbow lake found in Vynthala, near Mala, Thrissur District of Kerala.[1]

Geography

Lake is also called Oxbow Lake (Thadakam), as it was formed from a "cutoff" of the Chalakudy River which flows nearby.[2][3] The lake is considered to be the only one naturally formed Oxbow lake in whole of South India.[4]

History

The oxbow lake at Vynthala was identified in 1998 by a team of scientists led by Sunny George. Earlier the lake had a length of 2 kilometres, but now only about 200 meters remain as the rest of the area has been reclaimed. The total area of the lake is around 7 hectares. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) are preparing a report to declare the lake as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).[5]

References

  1. ^ Oxbow Lake (Thadakam) of Kanichan Thura Wikimapia
  2. ^ "Oxbow lake in Chalakudy to receive heritage status". Times of India. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Oxbow Lake Vynthala Mala Thrissur". Mala.com. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Oxbow lake in Chalakudy to receive heritage status". Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Oxbow lake in Chalakudy to receive heritage status". Today.in. Retrieved 5 July 2014.