”Highest increased in Lonar Lake water level after 20 years written by Meet Panchal”
Lonar Lake is an eroded remnant of a large crater made by a meteorite impact during the Pleistocene Epoch. It has reached its highest level in twenty years. The increased in water level has caused some temples in the crater to be submerged, and the circulation route of the lake has also been blocked.
Lonar is a mesmerizingly beautiful place famous for the Lonar crater and the lake formed due to a meteorite hitting the earth around 570,000 ± 47,000 years ago estimated by a research paper published in 2010. This 6,000 feet wide and 500 feet deep lake is, therefore, an essential source of scientific research and educational importance. It is the only saltwater lake in the basaltic rock in the world.
In terms of chemical characteristics, specifically pH it has two distinct regions and both the regions have different pH and do not mix. The outer region has neutral pH whereas the inner region has a pH level of around 11. Hence having such a distinctive nature, both regions have their own flora and fauna. The lake is home to many species of birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Water level is not as usual
CCS (Centre for Citizen Science) recently conducted a study tour of the Lonar crater and lake. It was found that Lonar lake’s salinity has decreased to some extent in the response to the increased water level during this survey. In 2017, a study by CCS showed that Lonar Lake’s water level is dropping.
Satellite images showed the water level of the lake continued to decrease during the period from 2014 to 2020 which resulted in changing of color of the lake water to pink in June 2020 due to the formation of ‘Haloarchaea’. However, the exceptional rainfall in two years resulted in the water level of the lake which has raised significantly in a short period of time. Earlier, the water level of the lake was seen to increase in the years 2003-2004. In 2017, the pH of the lake water was recorded as 9.5.
Lepords live in Lonar Crater forest area
The steps taken by the state and central governments for the conservation of Lonar after the High Court’s direction have now seen some awareness in the concerned authority. There is now only one entryway to descend into the crater, which is also supervised by the forest department.
Overgrown acacia trees were also removed. Since there is limited human access the number of leopards in the sanctuary has now reached a total of seven. There were only four leopards in 2019. Also as a consequence of the restoration of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the temples had been cleaned and many ancient structures buried in the ground around the temples have come to light.
Heavy rainfall in Buldhana District
This year, the Buldhana district has received heavy rainfall. As a consequence of this, the water level in the soil has increased significantly. Many water streams are still flowing in December. Which has resulted in a huge increase in the level of water in Lonar lake.
However, due to the increase in water level, five ancient temples like Mor Mahadev Temple, Mungala Mahadev Temple in the lake have gone into the water. Already the condition of this temple has been worn out. Meanwhile, the researchers said that the archeological department has no attention.
You can also read:
1. The Lonar Crater: The mesmerizing union of religion and science
