At lake fest, Karanji’s pristine waters a big treat

Mysuru: Spread over 35 acres, the Karanji lake, which was revived at a cost of Rs 3.69 crore and turned into a model water body after it dried up last year,  is being showcased to the public at large during the two- day “Lake Festival” that kicked off in the city on Monday.

Organised  by the Mysuru Zoo at the Karanji Lake Nature Park,which occupies the rest of the 77 acre campus,  the festival hopes to serve as an inspiration for the development of other lakes and create awareness on conservation and biodiversity.

It is one of a series of events planned by the Mysuru district administration to draw more tourists to the city for the New Year eve festivities.

The Karanji lake is a splendid sight currently, having filled up in the  recent heavy monsoon and attracts around 80 species of birds, including 30 migrant birds from other countries, besides eight to 10 species of butterflies. The park around it supports around 100 exotic and 90 native species of herbs, shrubs and trees.  

With the boating resuming after nearly nine months, the lake provides the perfect  backdrop for the fest, which also features an exhibition of photographs, quizzes, an animal and nature themed fancy dress party, a drawing and painting competition  for children, bird watching, a botanical walk, and talks on lake conservation and biodiversity, according to Mysore Zoo executive director, Ajit Kulkarni.

Zoo member secretary, B P Ravi recalled that the Karanji Lake Nature Park was opened to the  public in 2004, complete with a children's play area, an open gym, and peacock enclosures.

“The excess water from the lake is diverted to water bodies in the zoo,  enriching its biodiversity too and preventing floods. There are 38000 lakes in 28,453 villages in the state. The  Karanji lake model can be replicated elsewhere too,” he suggested.