Other Lakes - Ansupa, Kanjia, Tampara

Ansupa Lake

Ansupa Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha, situated on the left bank of the Mahanadi River near Banki in Cuttack district. This horseshoe-shaped oxbow lake was formed when a meander of the Mahanadi was cut off from the main channel, leaving behind a crescent-shaped water body. The lake spans approximately 231 hectares during the monsoon and shrinks to about 190 hectares in summer. Its maximum depth is about 5 metres in the monsoon and around 3 metres in the dry season. The lake is fed by over 15 small streams originating from the nearby Saranda Hills and receives water from seepage and the surrounding catchment. The Mahanadi flows only about 2 kilometres away from the lake.

Ansupa is renowned for its rich aquatic biodiversity, particularly the seasonal proliferation of lotus flowers that blanket large portions of the water surface during October-December. The lake supports nearly 30 species of fish, and its surroundings host an impressive variety of birds, including migratory species during winter. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation has developed basic facilities at Ansupa, and the lake has become a popular weekend destination for visitors from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Boating, fishing, and birdwatching are the main recreational activities. The State Government declared Ansupa a protected wetland in 2019, recognising its ecological significance. However, siltation from the surrounding hills, encroachment for agriculture, and excessive growth of aquatic weeds pose challenges to its long-term health.

Kanjia Lake

Kanjia Lake is a wetland of approximately 75 hectares located within the precincts of the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. Nandankanan, meaning “Garden of Heaven”, was established in 1960, and the Kanjia Lake forms its scenic centrepiece. The lake is primarily a freshwater body fed by local runoff and groundwater seepage. What makes Kanjia unique is its integration of a natural lake ecosystem with a modern zoological park — the lake is part of the animal exhibits, with islands used for primate enclosures and the water body supporting aquatic species. Boating facilities allow visitors to appreciate the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings.

The lake also supports a natural population of mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) and various fish species. The vegetation around Kanjia includes planted groves and remnants of the original scrub forest, which attract numerous bird species including open-billed storks, cormorants, egrets, and kingfishers. The lake’s inclusion within a major zoo ensures regular maintenance and monitoring, making it one of the better-preserved urban wetlands in Odisha. However, the heavy visitor footfall and urbanisation around the park area put continuous pressure on the lake’s water quality through nutrient enrichment and litter. Regular desilting and water quality monitoring are carried out by the zoo authorities.

Tampara Lake

Tampara Lake is a scenic freshwater lake situated near Chatrapur in Ganjam district, close to the Rushikulya river. The lake covers an area of approximately 300 hectares and is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes along the southern coastal belt of Odisha. Fed primarily by the Rushikulya River during the monsoon through a feeder channel and by groundwater seepage and local runoff in other seasons, Tampara maintains water throughout the year. The lake is situated in a depression between ancient beach ridges, a geomorphological setting that indicates its origin as a back-barrier lagoon that has gradually freshened over time.

Tampara is a popular recreational destination, particularly for the residents of the nearby Berhampur city. The Government has developed a water sports complex at the lake, offering activities such as kayaking, water scooters, rowing, and shikara rides, making it a hub for water-based tourism in southern Odisha. The lake also supports local fisheries and provides irrigation to the surrounding agricultural fields. Birdlife around Tampara is abundant, especially during winter. However, increasing tourism without adequate waste management infrastructure, use of the lake for washing activities by nearby communities, and seasonal variation in water availability are issues that need attention. A comprehensive lake management plan has been proposed to balance recreational use with ecological preservation.

Other Notable Water Bodies

Several other lakes and water bodies dot the Odisha landscape. The Indravati Reservoir, created by the Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project, is Odisha’s largest artificial lake, sprawling over hundreds of square kilometres in the Kalahandi-Nabarangpur region. Pata Lake near Chatrapur and Sara Lake near Puri are smaller freshwater bodies with local significance. The Rengali Reservoir on the Brahmani River is another large artificial water body with fishing and tourism potential. Collectively, Odisha’s lakes and wetlands — both natural and artificial — cover over 6 lakh hectares, representing critical freshwater resources that support biodiversity, livelihoods, and recreation across the state.