Vynthala Lake (Malayalam: വൈന്തല തടാകം) is a natural oxbow lake found in Vynthala, near Mala, Thrissur District of Kerala.[1]

Vynthala Lake
Oxbow Lake (Thadakam) of Kanichan Thura
Location of Vynthala lake within Kerala
Location of Vynthala lake within Kerala
Vynthala Lake
Location of Vynthala lake within Kerala
Location of Vynthala lake within Kerala
Vynthala Lake
LocationVynthala, Thrissur District, Kerala
Coordinates10°15′38″N 76°17′40″E / 10.26056°N 76.29444°E / 10.26056; 76.29444
Typeoxbow lake
Basin countriesIndia
Surface area7 ha (17 acres)
Surface elevation1,800 ft (549 m)
SettlementsMala

Geography

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Lake is also called Oxbow Lake (Thadakam), as it was formed from a "cutoff" of the Chalakudy River which flows nearby.[2][3] The lake is considered to be the only one naturally formed Oxbow lake in whole of South India.[4]

History

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The oxbow lake at Vynthala was identified in 1998 by a team of scientists led by Sunny George. Earlier the lake had a length of 2 kilometres, but now only about 200 meters remain as the rest of the area has been reclaimed. The total area of the lake is around 7 hectares. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) are preparing a report to declare the lake as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).[5]

References

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  1. ^ Oxbow Lake (Thadakam) of Kanichan Thura Wikimapia
  2. ^ "Oxbow lake in Chalakudy to receive heritage status". Times of India. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Oxbow Lake Vynthala Mala Thrissur". Mala.com. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Oxbow lake in Chalakudy to receive heritage status". Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Oxbow lake in Chalakudy to receive heritage status". Today.in. Retrieved 5 July 2014.