Location

Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Type

Artificial freshwater wetland

Built By

Anaji Chauhan (Grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan) in 1135-1150 AD

Area

Approx. 13 km² (including  lake & surrounding wetland)

Main Water Source

Rainwater & feeder streams

Ecological Importance

Supports biodiversity, prevents flooding & acts as a water recharge zone

Flora

Aquatic plants, reeds, marsh vegetation

Fauna

Migratory birds (flamingos, pelicans, herons), fish, amphibians & reptiles

Threats

Encroachment, pollution, illegal constructions (e.g., ‘Seven Wonders Park’ replicas), urbanization

Legal Protection

Declared a wetland under Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017

Recent Supreme Court Order (2024)

Directed removal of illegal replica structures from 'Seven Wonders Park' to protect  wetland

Location

Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Type

Artificial freshwater lake

Geographical Coordinates

26.4707° N, 74.6176° E

Built By

Arnoraja (Anaji) Chauhan, grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan

Year of Construction

1135 - 1150 AD

Purpose of Construction

Water conservation & irrigation

River Source

Built by damming  Luni or Lavanavari River

Spread Over

Approximately 13 sq km (1300 hectares)

Depth

Varies by season; significantly reduces in summer

Water Sources

Rainwater & feeder canals

Drying Issue

The lake dries up almost completely during  summer months due to high evaporation & low water inflow

Famous Structures

Baradari (pavilions) built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1637 AD

Garden Nearby

Daulat Bagh, built by Emperor Jahangir, located on  eastern embankment of  lake

Island in  Lake

A small island in  center of  lake, accessible via boating

Circuit House

A British era Residency located on a hill near  lake, now used as a government guest house

Embankment Construction

Constructed using stone masonry, reinforced over centuries

Mughal Influence

Mughal emperors contributed to its beautification with gardens, marble pavilions & embankments

Tourism & Activities

Boating, sunset views, picnicking, photography & walking trails around  lake

Best Time to Visit

October to March (Winter months offer pleasant weather)

Major Events/Festivals

Urs Festival at Ajmer Sharif Dargah (nearby)
Pushkar Fair (around 15 km away)

Current Condition

Faces pollution & seasonal water depletion, conservation efforts are ongoing

Significance

One of  most important historical & recreational sites in Rajasthan

Chilika Lake

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Coastal Lagoon

1981

Largest brackish water lagoon, migratory birds, Irrawaddy dolphins

Keoladeo National Park

Rajasthan

28.73

Freshwater Marsh

1981

UNESCO World Heritage Site, crucial bird sanctuary

Sundarbans Wetland

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4,267

Mangrove Forest

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Largest mangrove ecosystem, Royal Bengal Tiger habitat

Loktak Lake

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Freshwater Lake

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Phumdis (floating vegetation), endangered Sangai deer

Wular Lake

Jammu & Kashmir

189

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Largest freshwater lake in India, regulates hydrology

Deepor Beel

Assam

40

Riverine Wetland

2002

Important Bird Area, elephants frequent  region

Ropar Wetland

Punjab

13.65

Freshwater

2002

Supports fish diversity, pollution from urban areas

Sambhar Lake

Rajasthan

240

Saltwater Lake

1990

Largest inland saltwater lake in India, flamingo breeding ground

Ashtamudi Lake

Kerala

614

Estuarine

2002

Famous for backwaters, coconut lagoons, fishing economy

Nalsarovar Lake

Gujarat

120

Freshwater Lake

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Important for flamingos, declared a bird sanctuary

Great Pyramid of Giza

Egypt

Egyptians

2560 BC

Only surviving ancient wonder

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Iraq (Mesopotamia)

Babylonians

600 BC

Possibly mythical, no archaeological proof

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Greece

Greeks

435 BC

Destroyed in 5th century AD

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Turkey

Greeks

550 BC

Destroyed by arson in 356 BC, later rebuilt, then destroyed by Goths

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Turkey

Persians

350 BC

Destroyed by earthquakes

Colossus of Rhodes

Greece

Greeks

280 BC

Destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC

Lighthouse of Alexandria

Egypt

Ptolemaic Kingdom

280 BC

Destroyed by an earthquake in 1323 AD

Great Wall of China

China

Chinese Dynasties

7th Century BC

Longest man-made structure in  world

Petra

Jordan

Nabataeans

312 BC

Rock-cut architecture, famous for Al-Khazneh

Christ  Redeemer

Brazil

Catholic Church

1931

98-ft tall statue of Jesus, symbol of Christianity

Machu Picchu

Peru

Incas

1450 AD

Lost city of  Incas, high-altitude ruins

Chichen Itza

Mexico

Mayans

600 AD

Pyramid of Kukulkan, Mayan astronomical significance

Colosseum

Italy

Romans

80 AD

Largest amphitheater in  world

Taj Mahal

India

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan

1632 AD

UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbol of love

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Construction of artificial lakes like Ana Sagar in medieval India reflects an advanced understanding of water conservation & urban planning. Critically analyze  historical, ecological, socio economic impacts of such water bodies in Indian subcontinent.