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{{Short description|Lake in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox body of water
| native_name = ശാസ്താംകോട്ട കായൽ
| name = Sasthamkotta Lake
| image = Sasthamcotta Lake By ArunElectra.jpg
| caption = Sasthamkotta Lake
| alt = Sasthamkotta Lake
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| pushpin_map = Kerala
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Sasthamkotta lake within Kerala
| location = [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[Kerala]]
| coords = {{coord|9.03|N|76.63 |E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type =
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment = {{convert|12.69|km2|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries = [[India]]
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|373|ha|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|6.53|m|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|15.2|m|abbr=on}}
| volume = {{convert|22.4|e6m3|abbr=on}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|33|m|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities = [[Karunagapally]] and Sasthamkotta
|extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Sasthamkotta Lake
| designation1_date = 19 August 2002
| designation1_number = 1212<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1212|title=Sasthamkotta Lake - Ramsar Sites Information Service|website=Rsis.ramsar.org|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref>}}
}}

'''Sasthamcotta Lake''' or '''Sasthamkotta Lake''', also categorized as a '''wetland''', is the largest fresh water lake in [[Kerala]], a state of [[India]] on the south of the West Coast. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage centre) located on its bank. It meets the drinking water needs of half million people of the [[Kollam|Quilon]] district and also provides fishing resources. The purity of the lake water for drinking use is attributed to the presence of large population of larva called ''cavaborus'' that consumes [[bacteria]] in the lake water.<ref name=info_sheet>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2IN017en.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527190835/http://www.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2IN017en.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The lake is a designated [[Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance|wetland of international importance]] under the [[Ramsar Convention]] since November 2002.
<ref name=ram>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ramsar.org/profile/profiles_india.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725041730/http://www.ramsar.org/profile/profiles_india.htm |archive-date=2008-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Access ==
The lake is located at a distance of 25 km from [[Kollam|Quilon]] city, which is on the northern side of [[Ashtamudi Lake]]. [[Trivandrum|Thiruvananthapuram]] International Airport, at 105 km, is the nearest airport to Kollam. [[Karunagapally]], at a distance of 8 km, is the closest town to the lake. A ferry service across the lake transports people between West [[Kallada]] and Sasthamkotta.<ref name = info_sheet/><ref name = ram/>

==Topography and geology ==
Except for an earthen embankment of 1.5 km length which separates the lake from the paddy fields on its southern side, bordering the alluvial plains of the [[Kallada River]], all other sides of the lake are surrounded by hills which are steep and form narrow valleys. In the south and southwestern parts of the lake there are a number of smaller water bodies and waterlogged areas.<ref name = info_sheet/><ref name=ker_envis>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/files/pubs/soe_2007/volume1/soe_kerala_v1_chapter%202.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410040646/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/files/pubs/soe_2007/volume1/soe_kerala_v1_chapter%202.pdf |archive-date=2009-04-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The present area of the lake is 375 ha since large part of the lake is reported to have been occupied for agriculture.<ref name=wwf>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/sasthamkotta_lake_.cfm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014205836/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/sasthamkotta_lake_.cfm |archive-date=2008-10-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Rock formation of mainly [[archean|archaean]] origin are recorded with intrusions of [[charnockite]], biotite [[gneiss]] and [[dolerite]] dyke rocks. The [[Tertiary]] Varkala formations are observed along the coastal beds. In the valley portion, sand and silt deposits are recorded. [[Geomorphological]] divisions of the basin area of the lake comprise a) the undulating uplands which have fairly thick vegetation of mixed crops and plantations, b) the valley fills of [[laterite]] [[alluvium]] and colluvial deposits with low level areas which are intensely cultivated and thickly populated and c) the flood plains/alluvial plains of the [[Kallada River]] on the south that are mostly cultivated.<ref name = info_sheet/>

==Hydrology ==
There are no visible tributaries feeding the lake but springs at the bottom of the lake are stated to be one of the source which supply water throughout the year; volume of water in the lake is estimated to be of the order of 22.4 million cum.<ref name =wwf/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/434018/Sasthamcotta-Lake-Kayal-Sasthamkotta-Kollam|title=Sasthamcotta Lake (Kayal) Sasthamkotta. KOLLAM - Wikimapia|website=Wikimapia.org|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref>
A thick 10–20 m mantle of [[kaolinite]] rich (derivative of laterite) soil around the lake is stated to check flow into the lake and the theory is now that the lake is also rain fed; the lake water level is recorded to be higher at the end of the monsoon season.<ref name = info_sheet/> The average annual rainfall in the area is 2398 mm and mean annual temperature varies between 26.7 °C and 29.16 °C.<ref name = info_sheet/>
Ground water table in the area is reported at depth of 3.89 m. After accounting for estimated evaporation loss of 5 MCM ([[million cubic metre]]s) and water utilized for domestic use of 8 MCM (at a pumpage rate of 22 MLD), the two together account for about two-thirds of the inflow.<ref name = info_sheet/>

== Water quality ==
The lake water is reported to be free of [[common salt]] or other [[minerals]] and [[metals]]. The quality for [[surface water]], interstitial water and [[sediments]] studied<ref name = info_sheet/> by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), India are briefly as noted below.

'''Quality for surface water (average values):'''

* '''Surface water''': pH 7.25; EC 63.00 Millimhos/cm; PO4 – P 4.93 Micro gm. / l ; Ca 7.01Micro gm. / l; Na 4.33 Micro gm. / l; Fe 41.57 Micro gm. / l and Mn 12.11 Micro gm. / l.
* '''Interstitial water''': pH 7.20; PO4 – P 1.11 Micro gm. / l; Fe 59.1Micro gm. / l and Mn49.00 Micro gm. / l
* '''Sediments''': Organic C 8.95%; PO4 – P 1690.00 Micro gm. / l; Fe 17724.27 Micro gm. / l and Mn 86.36 Micro gm. /l

Water quality test results indicate that the lake water conforms to standards of drinking water prescribed by regulatory bodies.<ref name = info_sheet/>

== Flora ==
Eastern shore of the lake has the insectivorous plant [[Drosera]] Sp. Vegetation is negligible and rooted plants and floating plants are unimportant and insignificant. The crops grown on the banks of the lake, apart from [[rice|paddy]], are the plantation crops such as [[cashewnut]], [[tapioca]] and [[Plantain (cooking)|plantain]].<ref name = info_sheet/><ref name = surf_ind>{{cite web|url=http://www.surfindia.com/travel/kerala/sasthamkotta-kollam.html|title=Sasthamkotta Lake Kollam, Sasthamkotta Lake Travel India, SasthamkottaLake Kollam India|website=Surfindia.com|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref>

== Aqua fauna ==
The aqua fauna noted in the lake<ref name = surf_ind/> are:

* 27 species of freshwater fishes include [[pearl spot]] ([[Etroplus suratensis]]) and [[catfish]], two genera of [[prawns]], 21 species of [[herring]]s and [[sardines]] of the family [[Clupeidae]]
* Common [[fish]] such as ''Calichrous bimaculatus'' and ''[[Wallago attu]]'' These varieties of fish generally have whisker-like barbells set around their mouths.

The [[common teal]] or [[dabbling duck]] is the smallest migratory bird found in the lake.<ref name = surf_ind/>

Some of the vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species reported by WWF in the lake area<ref name = info_sheet/> are:

* Critically endangered: ''[[Puntius ticto]] punctatus'' (Day)
* Endangered: ''[[Horabagrus brachysoma]]'' (Gunther)
* Vulnerable: ''[[Parambassis]] thomassi'' (Day)

== Fauna==
Resident troupes of [[monkeys]] are sighted on the banks in large numbers, which are part of the Sasthamkotta temple environment on the bank of the lake.<ref name = surf_ind/>
13 species of insects have also been identified; 9 are [[butterflies]], 2 [[odonates]] and 2 [[hymenopteran]]s.<ref name = info_sheet/>

== Deterioration in lake environment ==
The quality of the lake environment is affected by the following factors.<ref name = info_sheet/><ref name =wwf/>

* Increasing [[Anthropogenic hazard|anthropogenic]] pressure
* Encroachment on parts of the lake for agriculture
* Cultivation of tapioca has increased the soil loss by [[erosion]] and runoff into the lake basin
* Domestic and agrochemical wastes from surrounding areas disposed into the lake
* Soil erosion of the banks from the encroached land
* [[Effluents]] from domestic sewage
* Reduction of ground water recharge to the lake due to increase in [[agriculture]] in the area around the lake.
* Soaking of dry leaves of [[coconut palm]] before matting, which are then used for thatching huts

==Conservation and management==
The Kerala State Government prepared a Conservation and Management Action Plan (MAP) in 1999 for the lake's sustainable utilization and conservation and to address the threats faced by the lake. Financial support was sought from the Central Government under the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) for implementation of MAP based on the specific problems identified in the wetland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irade.org/eerc/pdf/WB_FR_MadhuVerma.pdf|format=PDF|pages=30–32|title=Economic Valuation of Bhoj Wetlands for Sustainable Use|website=Irade.org|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref>

The MAP envisages the following activities:<ref name =ker_envis/>

* Agro-forestry in the catchment,
* [[sanitation]] and drainage,
* [[pollution]] [[abatement of waste|abatement]],
* limited desilting,
* [[weed]] control,
* conservation of [[flora]] and [[fauna]],
* [[fishery]] development, and
* awareness campaigns among the local inhabitants.

The above activities were planned to be implemented through the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Department of Forests and Wild Life, Department of Fisheries, State Fisheries Resource Management Society (FIRMA), District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), CWRDM, etc. Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment of Govt. of Kerala provided the support and overall supervision.<ref name =ker_envis/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Sasthamcotta Lake 1 by ArunElectra.jpg|Sasthamkotta Lake
File:Sasthamcotta Lake 2 by ArunElectra.jpg|Sasthamkotta Lake
File:Sasthamcotta Lake Sunset by ArunElectra.jpg|An Evening view of Sasthamkotta Lake
File:Keralaback (15).jpg|Village on bank of the lake
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Kollam]]
* [[Kallada River]]
* [[Munroethuruth]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sasthamkotta Lake}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/vazhipokan/1986683719/sizes/o/|title=All sizes - Sasthamkotta - Flickr - Photo Sharing!|website=Flickr.com|access-date=16 August 2018}}

{{Waters of Kerala}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Ramsar sites in India}}

[[Category:Lakes of Kollam]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kollam district]]
[[Category:Geography of Kollam district]]

Sasthamcotta Lake - Revision history

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