Abstract:
Water in rivers and lakes amount to be less than 1% of (by volume) the
world's water budget but its importance to life and human geography is enormous. It is
estimated that the world's lakes contain about four times more fresh water than its river,
yet curiously enough they are more euphoiral. Still lakes are used extensively in many
countries as the natural centers of civilization. In India, even during Maurya period (320
BC) a major reservoir called Sudarshana Lake was made at the floor of Mount Girnar in
Western India (Winderlich etal., 1987).
A lake plays a significant role in shaping the hydrological, ecological,
environmental, socio-economical balance of that region and the country as a whole. Lake
is also a place for sanctuary for migrating birds, development of flora and fauna and an
excellent spot for habitation of aquatic biota which are important for maintaining the
ecological and environmental balance and the hydrological cycle.
