Carambolim lake or Carambolim wetlands to be converted into Carambolim Bird Sanctuary: Shirodkar

PANAJI: Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar who visited the Carambolim lake on Friday, came down strongly against encroachment around the lake boundaries, promising to ensure that the wetlands around the Carambolim lake are protected and the place is declared a bird sanctuary.

The Carambolim lake lies in Ilhas taluka, about 12 km from Panjim or Panaji and 2km southeast of Old Goa. It is spread over an area of 70 ha, of which 40 ha is under water for most of the year.

In order to grow paddy, a number of minor irrigation tanks were developed in Goa. These tanks are made by the impoundment of run-off during the monsoon.

They are also a natural source of fish, because every year, before the monsoon, the remaining water is drained out to empty the tanks and the fish are harvested.

The sluice gates of the Carambolim lake at the south-eastern side are kept closed from late July to early May next year. The impounded water is used for irrigation of paddy fields in the lower reaches on the southern side of the lake.

According to the Goa Tourism website, the lake is of the most famous and picturesque lakes in Goa, and has the added attraction of also being a great place for bird-watching. The manmade lake plays host to a number of species of birds, both resident and migratory. The lake and the forested area around it are so famous for its avian population that it has since been declared the Carambolim Bird Sanctuary.

This peaceful and serene lake is counted not just as one of the best places for bird watching in Goa, but also one of the best places in India for bird watching. The birds here are of both aquatic and terrestrial types and although they are mostly herbivorous, there are also some avian fishers among them.