Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Geography
Why in News?
Recently, the water level of Lonar Lake in Maharashtra has risen drastically, and the Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the issue.
Location – Lonar Lake is located in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district.
Type – It is formed inside a meteorite impact crater, estimated to be formed from ~12,000 years to 5.7 lakh years ago.
It is considered the largest basaltic impact crater in the world by the Geological Survey of India.
Characteristics – Saline and highly alkaline lake with pH ~10.
Supports specialized extremophile microorganisms, making it uninhabitable for most plant and animal species.
Stable alkalinity is essential to maintain its fragile ecosystem.
It features a distinct ecosystem that sometimes turns pink due to microorganisms.
Ramsar site- It is a Ramsar site and National Geo-heritage Monument.
Drainage – The lake is fed by multiple streams and underground aquifers, but has no outlet.
Protected Temples – The lake complex houses ancient temples, including the Kamalja Devi Temple and 15 ASI-protected temples are located along the lower rim of the crater.
Recent Concern – Water level has increased by ~4 metres since 2022.
Strong 2025 monsoon caused the Kamalja Devi Temple to be submerged by nearly 2 metres.
Out of 15 ASI-protected temples, 9 are partially or fully submerged.
Reasons –According to a geologist, human-induced groundwater recharge is one of the reasons.
Construction of deep borewells (600–700 ft), dugwells, and percolation dams over the last 10–15 years.
These structures recharge lower aquifers, which now feed groundwater into the lake.
Extreme Rainfall Events – Intense rainfall in 2025 with enhanced percolation and subsurface flow into the lake.
Closed Basin Nature – The lake has no outlet, and water loss occurs only through evaporation.
Institutional Response – ASI plans to build a gabion wall as a temporary protective measure for the Kamalja temple.
