imported>BD2412: clean up spacing around commas and other punctuation, replaced: , , → ,

2021-03-31T02:19:15Z

clean up spacing around commas and other punctuation, replaced: , , → ,

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
'''Sattal''' or '''Sat Tal''' (Hindi for "seven lakes") is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the [[Lower Himalayan Range]] near [[Bhimtal]], a town of the [[Nainital district]] in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].<ref>[http://210.212.78.56/haldwani/en/?subid=112&id=50 Local Excursion from Haldwani] ''[[Haldwani]]'' Official website.</ref> During the [[British Raj]], the area had a tea plantation, one of four in the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon area]] at that time.<ref>[http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/a/019pho0000752s8u00059000.html A tea garden at Sath Tal, 1895 photograph] ''[[British Library]]''</ref>

The lakes sit at an altitude of 1370 metres below lush orchards in the [[Mehragaon]] valley.

Set amongst dense forests of [[oak]] and [[pine]] trees, Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted [[freshwater]] [[biome]]s in India. These lakes are a paradise for [[migratory birds]]. It is home to a few camps being operated mostly by local people catering to tourists looking for outdoor vacations.

==Geology and physiography==
Sattal is situated in the [[Lower Himalayan Range]] and is the result of [[tectonic]] activities and the uplifting of [[sediment]]s between the [[Tibet]]an plain and the [[Indo-Gangetic plains]]. The rocks are mainly [[sedimentary rocks]] and [[quartzite]]. Physiographically the area can be divided into lower Himalayas and terraces.

===Ecology===
Sattal is an ecologically fragile [[mesotrophic lake|mesotrophic]] group of lakes and under the impact of heavy environmental degradation. Extensive [[deforestation]], dumping of non-biodegradable waste, uncontrolled [[urbanization]] of the catchments and nearby forest is harming the ecology of the area. This results in scanty rainfall, a decrease in the number of plant and animal species and rapid drying up of [[Perennial stream|perennial]] springs. The lakes also suffer from a reduced oxygen content and high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Poaching has eliminated many wild animals. Khudariya Tal became Sukha Tal (Dry Lake) due to the leakage of water from its western extremity. An extensive growth of invasive plants such as ''[[Lantana]]'', ''[[Parthenium]]'' and ''[[Eichhornia]]'' is also endangering the ecological survival of the lakes.

==Flora and fauna==

===Biological diversity===
Sattal is unique for its [[biodiversity]] and ecological amplitude. It is known to be a birding paradise and supports a number of local and migratory birdlife. It has 500 species of resident and migratory birds, 20 species of mammals, over 525 species of butterflies and over 11,000 species of moths, beetles, bugs and other insects. The flora covers a wide and diverse range of plants ranging from [[Bryophytes]], [[orchid]]s, rare climbing plants, [[fern]]s, [[lichen]]s, [[fungi]], medicinal herbs and shrubs. Each individual lake has its own unique [[Diatom]] index. The Trophic Diatom Index uses the composition of freshwater diatom assemblages to assess water quality and ecological status.

===Birds===
[[File:Himalayan Griffon I IMG 3968.jpg|thumb|right|200 px|Himalayan griffon]]
[[File:Verditer Flycatcher at sattal DSCN0403 1.jpg|thumb|Verditer Flycatcher at Sattal]]
The unique avian fauna of Sattal includes [[red-billed blue magpie]], [[kingfishers]], blue-throated and brown-headed [[Megalaimidae|barbets]], lineated barbet, golden-throated barbet, crimson-fronted barbet, coppersmith barbet [[plum-headed parakeet]], [[slaty-headed parakeet]], chestnut bellied [[rock thrush]], [[Tit (bird)|tits]], [[Old World babbler|babbler]]s, [[jungle owlet]], pied [[woodpecker]], brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, brown-fronted woodpecker, stripe-breasted woodpecker, yellow-crowned woodpecker, rufous-bellied woodpecker, crimson-breasted woodpecker, Himalayan woodpecker, lesser yellownape woodpecker, greater yellow-naped woodpecker, streak-throated woodpecker, grey-headed woodpecker, scaly-bellied woodpecker, common flameback woodpecker, Indian tree [[pies]], blue [[whistling-thrush]], [[lammergeier]], [[Himalayan griffon]], [[crested serpent eagle]], [[Old World flycatcher|flycatcher]]s, [[Kalij pheasant]], [[dollarbird]], leaf birds, [[flowerpecker]], [[purple sunbird]], brown headed stork-billed kingfisher, stork-billed kingfisher, crested kingfisher, white-throated kingfisher, pied kingfisher, common kingfisher, blue-eared kingfisher, Himalayan kingfisher, Mrs. Gould's [[sunbird]], green-tailed sunbird, black-throated sunbird, black-breasted sunbird, [[crimson sunbird]], fire-tailed sunbird, thick-billed [[flowerpecker]], plain-leaf flowerpecker, fire-breasted flowerpecker, [[russet sparrow]], [[rufous babbler]], [[black-headed jay]], [[scaly-breasted cupwing]], black-capped sibia, blue [[whistling thrush]], [[finches]], [[mountain hawk eagle]], [[black eagle]], [[Eurasian jay]], white-rumped needletail, black-headed jay, black-lored, black-throated tits, black bulbul, ashy-throated warblers, black-chinned babbler, rufous-breasted accentor, red-billed blue magpie, grey-winged blackbird, Eurasian griffon, common buzzard, black-chinned babbler, pink-browed rosefinch, common wood pigeon, slaty-headed parakeet, laughingthrush, chestnut-tailed minla, lemon-rumped warblers, and many more.

===Fish===
Sattal has many different varieties of fish. Mahseers (''[[Tor (genus)|Tor]] tor'' and ''Tor putitora'') are found here in large numbers. ''[[Labeo rohita]]'', ''Cirrhinus mrigala'', ''Schizothorax richardsonii'' and ''[[Catla catla]]'' are some of the other fish found in the lakes.

===Butterflies/Moths===
[[File:Argynnis butterfly SEP01sai.jpg|thumb|right|200 px|Argynnis butterfly]]
[[File:Indian oakleaf or dead leaf DSCN2192 11.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[:en:Indian oakleaf|Indian oakleaf or dead leaf at Sattal]]]]
Some of the butterflies found at Sattal includes Indian [[fritillary]] (''[[Argynnis hyperbius]]''), peacock pansy, blue peacock, Paris peacock, red-base Jazebel, red lacewing, yellow pansy, tawny Rajah, [[red Helen]], large silverstripe, [[Indian oakleaf]] and thousands of others. The forests also homes one of the largest Moth in the world, the [[The Atlas Moth]], ''Attacus atlas. The Atlas moth is one of the largest [[lepidopterans]], with a wingspan measuring up to 24 cm (9.4 in) and a wing surface area of about 160 cm<sup>2</sup> (~25 in<sup>2</sup>). It is only surpassed in wingspan by the [[Thysania agrippina|white witch]] (Thysania agrippina) and [[Attacus caesar]], and in wing surface area by the [[Coscinocera hercules|Hercules moth]] (Coscinocera hercules). As in most Lepidoptera, females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]].''

==Adventure and excursions==

===Butterfly museum===
There is a butterfly museum built by Frederic Smetacek Sr at Jones Estate, now Peter Smatacek is continuing the research, which has over 2500 butterfly and moth specimens and 1100 species of insects that are found in this region.

===Sattal Mission Estate and Methodist Ashram===
The ''Sattal Christian [[Ashram]]'' was established by [[E. Stanley Jones]] (1884-1973), the evangelist and missionary. This Christian Ashram is situated on the banks of Sattal lakes, on a former tea estate. St. John's Church is part of this ashram and showcases a mixed colonial architecture. There is also a Sattal Christian Ashram chapel situated nearby. It was established in 1930 to introduce Christianity into the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand.

===Subhash Dhara===
There is a natural spring of fresh water arising out of dense oak forest west of Sattal that leads to a waterfall beyond the Sukhatal also known as the Bharat tal.

==Seven Lakes Of Sattal==
*''Panna Tal'' or ''Garud Tal''
*''Nal-Damyanti Tal''
*''Hanuman Tal''
*''Sita Tal''
*''Ram Tal''
*''Laxman Tal''
*''Sukha Tal'' or ''Bharat Tal''

==Image of birds species at Sattal==
<Gallery>
Image:1.Kalij pheasant male.jpg|[[:en:Kalij pheasant|Kalij pheasant male]]
Image:1.Chestnut Headed Tesia (cropped).jpg|[[:en:Chestnut-headed Tesia|Chestnut Headed Tesia]]
Image:Long-tailed Broadbill scientific name Psarisomus dalhousiae at Sattal on 21st April 2017 DSCN2024 1.jpg|[[:en:Long-tailed Broadbill|Long-tailed Broadbill]]
Image:Oriental white-eye scientific name Zosterops palpebrosus DSCN1787 1.jpg|[[:en:Oriental white-eye|Oriental white-eye]]
Image:Ultramarine flycatcher at Sattal DSCN1699-1.jpg|[[:en:Ultramarine flycatcher|Ultramarine flycatcher]]
Image:White-throated fantail scientific name Rhipidura albicollis at Sattal DSCN0829 1.jpg|[[:en:White-throated fantail|White-throated fantail]]
Image:Grey-hooded warbler at Sattal DSCN1678-11.jpg|[[:en:Grey-hooded warbler|Grey-hooded warbler]]
Image:Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides DSCN1768-1.jpg|[[:en:Greenish Warbler|Greenish Warbler]]
Image:Grey Bushchat at Sattal India DSCN9911 1.jpg|[[:en:Grey Bushchat|Grey Bushchat]]
Image:Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys at sattal DSCN0452 1.jpg|[[:en:Himalayan Bulbul|Himalayan Bulbul]]
Image:Mountain Bulbul at Sattal DSCN9224 1.tif|[[:en:Mountain Bulbul|Mountain Bulbul]]
Image:Indian paradise flycatcher at sattal DSCN1166 1.jpg|[[:en:Indian paradise flycatcher|Indian paradise flycatcher]]
Image:Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus at Sattal DSCN0314 1.jpg|[[:en:Jungle Myna|Jungle Myna]]
Image:Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis DSCN0961 1.jpg|[[:en:Oriental Magpie-Robin|Oriental Magpie-Robin]]
Image:Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Garrulax rufogularis at Sattal DSCN0098 1.jpg|[[:en:Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush|Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush]]
Image:White-throated Laughingthrush scientific name Garrulax albogularis at sattal DSCN1812 1.jpg|[[:en:White-throated Laughingthrush|White-throated Laughingthrush]]
Image:Red-billed leiothrix scientific name Leiothrix lutea DSCN1204 11.jpg|[[:en:Red-billed leiothrix|Red-billed leiothrix]]
Image:Slaty-headed parakeet scientific name Psittacula himalayana at Sattal DSCN9303 11.tif|[[:en:Slaty-headed parakeet|Slaty-headed parakeet]]
Image:Great Barbet - Sattal.jpg|[[:en:Great Barbet|Great Barbet]]
Image:Common Emerald Dove at Sattal DSCN0805 1.jpg|[[:en:Common Emerald Dove|Common Emerald Dove]]
Image:Verditer Flycatcher female at Sattal DSCN9069.tif|[[:en:Verditer Flycatcher|Verditer Flycatcher Female]]
Image:Wagtail 01.jpg|[[:en:Wagtail|Wagtail]]
</Gallery>

==Nearby Places of Interest==
*Town of [[Bhimtal]]
*Town of [[Bhowali]]
*[[Naukuchiatal|NaukuchiaTal]] (Nine-Cornered Lake)
*[[Ghorakhal]]
*[[Golu Devata]] Temple
*[[Nainital]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sattal}}
{{Commons category|Birds of Sattal}}
*[http://findindia.info/2013/04/10/sattal-a-weekend-destination-in-summer/ Sattal at Findindia]
*[http://wikimapia.org/1822647/ Sattal at Wikimapia]
*[http://www.raahi.com/index.php?option=com_indiandestination&Itemid=88889026&task=show&d=Sattal Quick facts about Sattal]
*[http://www.bhimtal.com/sattal.html Sattal-Detail]
*[https://thenaturalangle.com/biridng-at-sattal-uttrakhand/ birding at Sattal]
{{Hydrography of Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Lakes of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Nainital district]]

Sattal - Revision history

imported>BD2412: clean up spacing around commas and other punctuation, replaced: , , → ,