It is one of the four lakes of the Udaipur city; the other three being: the Lake Pichola (within the Udaipur town), Udai Sagar Lake, 13 kilometres (8.1mi) to the east of Udaipur, and Dhebar Lake or Jaisamand Lake, 52km (32mi) south east of Udaipur.[1][2]
Within the confines of the Fatah Sagar Lake, there are three small islands; the largest of these is the Nehru Park (4km2 (1.5sqmi) area), which is a popular tourist attraction, the second island (0.06km2 or 15 acres area) houses a public park with an impressive water-jet fountain, and the third island (1.2km2 area) is the address for the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO). The Nehru park is accessible by inboard motor boats. The blue waters of the lake and the backdrop of the green mountains has given the soubriquet "the second Kashmir" to Udaipur .[1]
Udaipur Lake Conservation Society's reports indicate that the lake supports and sustains ground water recharge, drinking water, agricultural use, industrial use, ecological water availability and provides employment to 60% population of Udaipur. [3]
History
Sunset over Fateh Sagar Lake.Maharana Fateh Singh's hunting party in Udaipur
In 1687, Maharana Jai Singh first constructed the lake but two hundred years later the earthen bund which formed the lake was washed away during floods, and thereafter MaharanaFateh Singh, in 1889, built the "Connaught Dam" on Lake Dewali to mark the visit of Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria. The dam enlarged the lake, and it was later renamed Fateh Sagar Lake.[1]
Hydrology and structures
The runoff emerging from surrounding hills drains into this lake. The lake is pear-shaped and is encircled by the Aravalli hills on three sides with a straight gravity stone masonry dam on the eastern side which has a spillway to discharge flood flows during the monsoon season.[4]
Three causeways, one from Pichola Lake, the other from Madar Lake and the third one from Badi Lake lead to the Fateh Sagar Lake. There are three inlet channels, which feed the lake and an overflow section on the eastern side in the masonry dam of 800 metres (2,600ft) length. Monsoon rains are the main source of all water to the lake. Initially constructed as an irrigation scheme, it is now the second major source of drinking water to the city of Udaipur and the irrigation supplies have been discontinued. A canal from the Rang Sagar Lake connects to the Fateh Sagar Lake. A gate controlled canal further connects Fateh Sagar Lake with Lake Pichhola.[5] The Northeastern embankment is known by three names viz., the Pal, the Drive, or Connaught Bund (bund means embankment).
During drought conditions, when the rainfall is meager, water storage in the lake is insufficient to meet the needs. To prevent loss of water due to evaporation, cetyl alcohol (hexadecanol) is sprayed over the lake surface.[4]
Water quality issues
Some of the water quality parameters reported[5] relate to:
pH value, which varies from a maximum of 8.4 on the surface to a minimum of 7.8 at the bottom and with minimum value of 7.9 at 5m (16ft) depth
DO [mg/L] value varies from a maximum of 9.4 on the surface and minimum of 1.2 at the bottom, at 5 m depth the lowest value being 3.3.
Maximum Nitrogen Concentration (NO3-N [mg/L] ) of 0.941 at 1 m below the surface and 0.523 at the bottom of the lake have been reported.
The lake water is reported to be polymictic, and there is lack of true thermocline. Gradient is recorded to be poor, which results in frequent mixing, as experienced in many tropical lakes.
The lake water temperature varies from a minimum of 19°C (66°F) in January to 29.4°C (84.9°F) in June at the surface, and correspondingly 16.8 and 28.5°C (62.2 and 83.3°F) at the bottom of the lake.
Eutrophication has occurred in the lake due to algal bloom; the dominant species causing this are algae: Microcystis sp and submerged macrophytes. Urbanisation around the lake has also degraded water quality, which is a risk to public health of the people who are dependent on the lake for their water supply requirements. Siltation has caused reduction of storage capacity. Increase in nutrient level is also taking place on account of leaching from agricultural activity in the marginal agricultural lands around the lake periphery. These are some of the reasons attributed for lake degradation.[5] The Udaipur city, set around the lakes, with its numerous hotels catering to the large influx of tourists and a large number of residential complexes on the slopes of the lake, also add pollutants to the lake.[3]
Flora
Within the lake water, the flora recorded consists of the following.
Macrophytes that have merged in the lake, floating macrophytes, the submerged macrophytes and the Phytoplankton.
The Biomass production due to macrophytes is reported to be a maximum of 864.9 grams per square metre [g/m2] (0.1771lb/sqft) on the surface of the lake, with a minimum of 329g/m2 at the bottom. The biomass recorded due to plankton is reported to be at maximum during January, as 67 milligrams per litre [mg/L] (2.4×10−6lb/cuin) at the surface and 23 g/L at the bottom of the lake. It is a low of 16g/L at the surface and 1 at the bottom during July, during the rainy season.
The lake's surroundings have sparse vegetation cover; however, several species of plants are found along the roads and the hills in the lake basin.
Fauna
The fauna recorded in the lake are the Zooplankton, Benthos and Fish. The economically important fishes reported are:[5]
C. punctatus, C. reba, Catla catla, L. calbasu, Channa marulius, Cirrhina mrigala, L. gonius, Labeo rohita, Tor khudree, and Wallago attu.
A panoramic view of Fateh Sagar Lake
Lake restoration works
The first effort to desilt the lake and improve its water quantity was undertaken by local citizen groups and environmental conservation organizations. The shallow part of the lake was desilted through voluntary labour in the early 1970s.[5] Udaipur Lake Conservation Society, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) set up in 1992, has independently carried out studies of the problems of the lakes of Udaipur and has been continuously pressurising the government agencies to take up several restoration schemes on the lakes of Udaipur, including Fatah Sagar Lake, some of which are reported to have been acted upon by the Rajasthan Government. The restoration works pursued are Limnological Conservation Works (introducing new varieties of fish species), Ecological Conservation Works (catchment area treatment), Hyacinth removal (through bio-control), lining of unlined canal from Moti Magri Hill to Fatah Sagar Lake, construction of sewage lines, institutional development in the form of creating Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the lakes, etc. It has appealed in the Rajasthan High Court, through Public Interest Litigations, seeking court's intervention on several issues concerning restoration of small lakes, land acquisition up to the High Flood Level (HFL) of the Lakes, Constitution of the Lake Development Authority (LDA) for Udaipur Lakes, etc. which are reported to have been upheld by the High Court[3]
Udaipur Observatory in Fatah Sagar Lake, when it is in a dry condition
Government of India, under its National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoE&F), has sanctioned in June 2008, projects for development of Fatah Sagar Lake in Udaipur at a cost of about US$10 million (Rs 42 crore) with central government sharing 70% of the costs and the balance 30% by the State government. This programme of NLCP envisages desilting of the lake area, installation of a sewage treatment plant, beautification of the adjacent area and installation of fountains, with a completion schedule of 18 months.[6]
Access
A winding road with a peripheral protection stone wall on the lake side exists on the eastern shore of the lake.[5] The entire circumference of the lake could be covered by road via Moti Magri Road, Fatah Sagar Drive, Rani Road and the winding road on the eastern side route to get a picturesque view of the lake, and the Aravali Hills surrounding it. Tongas (horse driven two wheelers), auto-rickshaws and taxis can be hired to reach the lake as well.[2]
Festival
Every year a festival called the Hariyali Amavasya Mela (Green New Moon Fair) is organised at the lake precincts, in the month of Shravan (August/September).[2]
Aquarium
'Under The Sun' Aquarium in Udaipur.
Fateh Sagar also houses an aquarium known as 'Under The Sun'. This aquarium, built under the Fatehsagar Paal, showcases over 200 species of fishes brought from 16 countries across the world.[7] It was inaugurated on 21 October 2017.[8]
Mahakaleshwar Temple Udaipur
The Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the most famous temples in Udaipur, sits on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and according to many devotees Guru Gorakhnath worshipped at this site.
Events
Fateh Sagar is popular destination for organising various national and international events. Recently, it was a venue for the first edition of India's first World Music Festival, a two-day festival held on 13 and 14 February. Performances were made by artists and musicians from more than 12 countries, including Spain, Ghana, Venezuela, Italy, France as well as India.[9]
The Ahar River is a tributary of the Berach River.
Udaipur is a city in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, about 415 km (258 mi) south of the state capital Jaipur. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Udaipur district. It is the historic capital of the kingdom of Mewar in the former Rajputana Agency. It was founded in 1559 by Udai Singh II of the Sisodia clan of Rajputs, when he shifted his capital from the city of Chittorgarh to Udaipur after Chittorgarh was besieged by Akbar. It remained as the capital city till 1818 when it became a British princely state, and thereafter the Mewar province became a part of Rajasthan when India gained independence in 1947. It is also known as the City of Lakes, as it is surrounded by five major artificial lakes.
The Monsoon Palace, also known as the Sajjan Garh Palace, is a hilltop palatial residence in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan in India, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake. It is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874–1884) of the Mewar dynasty, whom it was built for in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built chiefly to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home, Chittorgarh. Previously owned by the Mewar royal family, it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan and has recently been opened to the public. The palace provides a beautiful view of the sunset.
Shiv Niwas Palace is a former residence of the Maharana of Udaipur, Rajasthan, located on the banks of Lake Pichola.
City Palace, Udaipur is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. Its construction began in 1553, started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family as he shifted his capital from the erstwhile Chittor to the newfound city of Udaipur. The palace is located on the east bank of Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.
Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It is also called the "Lake Garden Palace". The palace is located in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its construction is credited to three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as "Jagat Mandir" in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. The palace served as a refuge to asylum seekers for one occasion.
Lake Pichola, situated in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362, named after the nearby Picholi village. It is one of the several contiguous lakes, and developed over the last few centuries in and around the famous Udaipur city. The lakes around Udaipur were primarily created by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the city and its neighbourhood. Two islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are located within Pichola Lake, and have been developed with several palaces to provide views of the lake.
Udaipur city in Rajasthan state has five major lakes, as listed below, which are under restoration with funds provided by the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the Government of India.
Moti Magri is a hill in India. It overlooks the Fateh Sagar Lake in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Neemach Mata Temple is located on a hill on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan,India. This temple is located on a green hill in the Dewali area of Udaipur. It has both stairs and uphill slope walk way to climb, which is around 900 metres long. It enshrines the stone idol of Neemach Mata Devi. There is also an idol of Lord Ganesh and three west-facing lions of stone.
HH 108 Shri Maharaj Adhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Ravi Kula Bushana-Mahi Mahendra Yavadarya Kula Kamaldhivakara Chattis Rajkul Shringar Maharana Shri Sir Fateh Singhji Bahadur Hindua Suraj Hindupati, was the ruler of the illustrious Sisodia dynasty of Mewar i.e Princely State of Udaipur for nearly 46 years from the year 1884 to 1930, with Udaipur as his capital, and resided in the grandiose City Palace, Udaipur.
Shri Maharana Sir Bhupal Singh Bahadur KCIE, also spelt Bhopal Singh, was the ruler of the Indian princely state of Udaipur from 1930 and also Rajpramukh of Rajasthan from 1948 until his death on 4 July 1955.
Udai Sagar Lake, one of the five prominent lakes of Udaipur, is situated around 13 km in the east of Udaipur. This lake was built by Maharana Udai Singh in 1565. Udai Sagar Lake is around 4 km in length, 2.5 km in width and 9 meters deep at the maximum. It is fed by the Ahar River.
Lake Badi is an artificial freshwater lake situated in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The lake was built in the village of Badi, about 12 km from Udaipur, by Maharana Raj Singh I (1652–1680) to counteract the devastating effects of a famine. He named it Jiyan Sagar after his mother Jana Devi. The lake covers an area of 155 km2 and has an embankment 180 m long and 18 m wide, graced by three artistic chhatris. During the drought of 1973, Lake Badi supplied water to the people of Udaipur. Devoid of any commercial activity, Badi Lake provides a view of a never-ending expanse giving a serene and calm atmosphere to visitors. The lake is among the major tourist attractions in Udaipur. One can reach Lake Badi by taking regular buses or hiring taxis from the city.
Udaipur, India was founded in 1553, by Maharana Udai Singh II in the fertile circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, on the Banas River. The city was established as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom.
Swaroop Sagar Lake is situated in the city of Udaipur in the Rajasthan state of India. It is an artificially created lake, named after Maharana Swarup Singh of Udaipur. It is also known as Kumharia Talab, which is a combined water body comprising other nearby lakes Fateh Sagar Lake and Lake Pichola.
Mewar Vibhuti, Pradhan Rai Pannalal Mehta (1843–1919) served four Maharanas, as Prime Minister of Mewar state in former state of Rajputana in India.
Gowardhan Sagar Lake is another prominent lake in the city of lakes, Udaipur. It is the smallest artificial lake of Udaipur. The lake is situated around 2.5 km from the south-west of Udaipur.
Mehra, S, Mehra, S. P. & Sharma, K. K. (2012). "Importance of aquatic avifauna in southern Rajasthan, India". p.159-183. (In: Rawat., M. & Dookia, S. (eds.) Biodiversity of Aquatic Resources. Daya Publishing House, Delhi, 2012) (978-81-7035-789-6).
Mehra, S, Mehra, S. P. & Sharma, K. K. (2012). "Aquatic Avifauna: Its Importance for Wetland conservation in Rajasthan, India". p.179-190. (In: Mathur, S. M.; Shrivastava, V. K. & Purohit, R. C. (eds.). Conservation of Lakes and Water Resources Management strategies. Himanshu Publications, Udaipur, 2011) (978-81-7906-263-0).
Mehra, S, Mehra, S. P. & Sharma, K. K. (2011). "Aquatic avifauna of Aravalli Hills Rajasthan, India". pp.145–167 (In Gupta, V. K. & Verma, A. K. (eds.). Animal Diversity, Natural History and Conservation. Vol. I, Daya Publishing House, Delhi, 2011) ( ISBN978-81-7035-752-0).
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