2-150 years of lake research in India : Bibliography and critical review

Abstract

Many lakes in India are in lime light in recent years because of the problems they are facing. The number of such lakes, and the number of problems of these lakes are increasing. In order to overcome the various problems of lakes, systematic and scientific investigations are required. Although, studies on lakes in India have a history of more than a century now, most of the research is limited to the bio-Iimnological aspects. Other aspects, particularly the hydrological aspects, have not been adequately addressed to. However, for proper, efficient and integrated management of any lake ecosystem, in terms of its quantitative and qualitative regime, a complete understanding of the various hydrological and ecological processes of the lakes and their interaction with the catchments is essential. At present the limnologists and hydrologists are working in isolation and not much coordinated work has been done in the area of lake research. Moreover, lake hydrology can still be considered to be in a budding phase in India. There are hardly any studies related to the dynamic behaviour of the lakes. The present paper reviews the history and status of lake related research in India with particular emphasis on hydrological aspects. It is the first known attempt at reviewing the lake hydrology research in India. Trends in the lake research in India have been described along with the various issues and challenges. Specific suggestions for directing the future research activities have been made. A detailed bibliography of the various important works on Indian lakes has been provided.