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Lake of the Societies, Kolkata, India

Sponsored by
Ahead through research

India, West Bengal, Kolkata Municipal Corporation

The Lake of the Societies is a moderate sized lake situated at the borders of Kolkata, India. It is still a risky place to work on because of the presence of Russell’s Viper and Monocled Cobra.

This part of the slowly developing infrastructures were once part of agricultural lands, marshlands, wetlands and fallow lands. Slowly with the progress of time this area started to develop yet the lake provides the necessary elements to maintain a healthy habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic living creatures.

Aquatic sedges cover the surroundings of the lake making a suitable habitable place for lizards, reptiles, amphibians, birds and snakes. Even local human benefits from fishing during the monsoon when the flooded water of the lake cover the surroundings.

Submitted by
Debanjan Banerjee
Approved by
Hans-Georg Evers & Friedrich Bitter
GPS
22.4533138, 88.3024902
Geographical region
Southern Asia
Drainage Basin
Southwest
River catchment
Hooghly River
Water body type
Lake
Water body name
Lake of the Societies
Water body part
Open water
Water body course
Source
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name

Videos above and below water


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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Clear water
Water transparency
Low
Concentration of sediments
High
Water temperature
30 °C
Water flow/curent
None

Chemical parameters

pH
8.0
Conductivity
131
GH
dGH
KH
7.0 mg/l
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen
7 %

Substrate in nature

Sand
None
Pebble/Gravel
None
Stone
None
Stone form
Silt/Mud
Beige
Leaves
Few
Driftwood
Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
Yes

Aquatic Biotope

Date of collecting
28/2/2025
Collecting area
Edge of reservoir
Water depth
2,0m
Air temperature
32 °C
Sunlight
Full sun

Environment

Environment
Human settlements
Human settlements
Dispersed
Surrounding area

The lake of the societies is a water body situated in the city outskirts of Kolkata city. Its based on a part of the town which is about to develop in the near future. Already people unaware of the importance of freshwater in this planet has slowly started littering.

The local god (idol) immersions also has a impact on the chemical parameters of the water. The depth on the shorelines of the waterbody is gradually declining because of that. As a enclosed water body type it is mostly being healed by the water hyacinths largely. This invasive water hyacinths clears the excess water nutrients. Yet hope remains as the few house owners around the block are very well aware of the protection of the waterbody and acts on it.

This water hyacinths gives refuge to several water birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects. The annual rainfall in this region is huge and that time the atmosphere mostly becomes humid and most fishes and birds breed but in the winter which is from November end to February beginning (below 15°C) it becomes a pleasant place to be with less humidity. In the summer which is from March to June, the temperature rises to 35-45°C.

Underwater landscape

The underwater landscape in this area are mostly muddy. The shorelines of the waterbody is covered with Hydrilla as it cannot grow without depleting sunlight. Also there are few Nymphaea nouchali around the banks. The rest of the waterbody coastline is covered with water hyacinths making it impenetrable to visualize. Few branches and twigs and leaf litters from a tree are to be seen. Azolla/Mosquito fern can be seen scattered over the Hydrilla plants. As the water body is used for bathing, fishing and washing of clothes, due to that at day time visibility of the water body around the shore lines are very poor. At night the mud settles down and gives a moderate sight.

Fish list:

  • Brachygobius nunus (Oxudercidae)
  • Aplocheilus panchax (Aplocheilidae)
  • Pethia aurea (Cyprinidae)
  • Channa striata (Cyprinidae)
  • Trichogaster fasciata (Osphronemidae)

Amphibian list:

  • Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Bufonidae)

Mollusc list:

  • Planorbarius corneus (Planorbidae)

Aquatic plant list:

  • Nymphaea nouchali (Nymphaeaceae)
  • Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae)

Wetland plant list:

  • Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae)
Threats to ecology

Constant global warming has a huge impact on the waterbodies of India which relies mostly on rainwater. The rising temperature of the water column has a huge impact on the overall growth and sustenance of all flora and fauna.

Riparian zone

Trees near the aquatic habitat
Few -

Bibliography

Sitography

→ FBIS, ICAR
→ Aqua-fish.net
→ www.aquaticcommunity.com
→ bsi.gov.in

Comment by the expert

Hans-Georg Evers: Excellent! Evaluated all components

Friedrich Bitter: The only thing is that the video could have been shorter and included fewer fixed shots.