Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, located at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India. Lonar is a saline, soda lake, created by a meteorite collision impact during the Pleistocene Epoch. Located 550 kms away from Mumbai, the capital of Maharastra, and 160 kms from the city of Aurangabad, it is one of the only four known, hyper-velocity impact craters created in basaltic rock anywhere on Earth, the other three are in southern Brazil. Lonar Lake has a diameter of 1.2 kms and is about 137 metres below the crater rim. which in itself is about 1.8 kms in diameter.
How the Lake was Created
Lonar Lake was created by the impact of either a comet or an asteroid. The presence of plagioclase that has been converted into maskelynite or planar deformation feature confirm theory of impact origin on this crater. The world’s largest basaltic impact crater, Lonar Crater lake water is both saline and alkaline and contains various types of salts and sodas, which makes it one-of-its-kind not only in India, but also the world. Lonar Crater was earlier believed to be created by volcanic eruptions some 65 million years ago. The crater’s age was earlier estimated to be 52,000 ± 6,000 years but new studies suggest the crater to be between 576,000 ± 47,000 years old.
Discovery and Research
Numerous geologists, ecologists, archaeologists, naturalists and astronomers from various renowned institutions worldwide have published their studies on various aspects of this crater lake and the ecosystem it supports. These include Smithsonian Institution, United States Geological Survey, Geological Survey of India, University of Sagar and Physical Research Laboratory. For a long time, Lonar Crater was one of the best-kept secrets of Maharashtra and remained unknown. As the path towards the lake was slippery and believed to be full of quicksand swamps, no one ventured near it.
It was only in 1823, when a British explorer, J.E. Alexander, chanced upon the crater while researching the ancient temples in the region. He found many temples in a dilapidated condition and a strange ecology in and around the crater lake different from the surrounding flat landscape. But even after discovery, it was believed to be a volcanic crater, as it was found on the Deccan plateau. But in 1896, G.K. Gilbert, a famous geologist, pointed out its similarity with a crater created by a meteor in Arizona desert in the USA.
A 2019 study, conducted by IIT Bombay found that minerals in the lake soil are very similar to the minerals found in moon rocks brought back during various Apollo Missions. biological nitrogen fixation was also discovered in 2007. Lonar lake was declared a protected Ramsar site in November 2020. The Lonar lake is surrounded by a series of small hills in an oval shape with a circumference at top of about 8 kms with the sides forming a steep angle of about 75°. The slopes are covered with variety of tree including housing teak, Acacia nilotica and many more.in the fields surrounding the lake farmers grow variety of crops. During dry weather, when evaporation reduces the water level, soda is collected from lake bed in large quantities besides other chemicals and black salt.
Ambar Lake and Water
Two small streams, named Purna and Penganga, drain into the lake, and surprisingly a fresh water well is located on the southern side of the lake close to the water’s edge. The lake was first mentioned in ancient scriptures such as the Skanda Purana and the Padma Puran. There is a small circular depression that is called the Ambar Lake at a distance of about 700 m from Lonar lake. It is believed that Ambar Lake was created by a fragment of the main meteor or asteroid that hit Lonar Lake. Surprisingly the water is clean and used in farming. There is a Hanuman temple near Ambar Lake, with the idol believed to be made of highly magnetic rock.
Unique Water and Biodiversity of Lake
Biodiversity of the lake is awesome and is home to numerous species of birds, reptiles and other animals. It is home to 160 bird, 46 reptile and 12 mammal species such as black-winged stilts, brahminy ducks, grebes, shelducks (European migrants), shovellers, teals, herons, red-wattled lapwings, rollers or blue jays, baya weavers, parakeets, hoopoes, larks, tailorbirds, magpies, robins and swallows. Monitor lizard are also found in large quantities. The lake is also home to thousands of peafowls, chinkara and gazelles. The area of 3.83 km2 around the lake was declared as Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary in 2015.
The most unique thing that makes Lonar Lake standout is the presence of various types of microbial organisms such as alveolates, fungi, stramenopiles, choanoflagellates, amoebozoans and cercozoans that can be divided into groups like methylotrophic microorganisms, endolithic microorganisms, and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. It is due to them the water in the lake changes color. For most of the year the water is blue or green but sometimes it turns into red or pink, the last time this happened this was in 2020. This happens mostly due to drop in water levels and high salinity when microorganisms present in the water become highly active resulting in change in water color. Another unique thing at the lake is that it has 2 water regions that don’t mix. The outer region of the lake is neutral region that has a pH level of 7. The lake’s inner region is the alkaline part that has a pH level of 11. Both the regions are unique and house diverse flora and fauna.
Nearby Attractions
Numerous temples are present around the lake, mostly in ruins, except for the temple of Daitya Sudan in Lonar town, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Other temples in and around the lake include Kamalja Devi Temple beside the lake, Gomukh Temple is located along the rim of the crater, partially submerged Shankar Ganesh temple, Ram Gaya temple, and the Motha Maruti temple.
Problems Facing the Lake
Lonar lake faces a variety of problems that are threatening its existence. Use of fertilizers, pesticides and toxic materials in agriculture field around the lake are polluting the lake water. Ther water of “Dhara”, and “Sita Nahani” streams are being used by people for bathing, washing clothes, cattle cleaning, and other domestic chores, thus affecting the water quality entering the lake. Illegally cutting trees in the surroundings and cattle grazing are affecting the vegetation around the lake.
Illegally drawing water from the lake’s underground source is resulting in depletion of water levels faster. Tourist activities are causing environmental damage to nearby land. During local festivals such as the Kamala Devi festival, large numbers of pilgrims enter the crater. Most visitors are not adequately educated about the importance of the lake resulting in littering of rubbish. Increase in pollution is disturbing the wildlife around the lake. Also drying up of nearby percolation dam has also affected water flow into the lake.
How to Reach
Well connected by road, Lonar Lake can be easily reached by riding state transport buses or private vehicles and taxi. Nearest airport is in Aurangabad 160 kms away. The nearest railway stations are at Partur and Jalna. Best time to visit Lonar Lake is from October to February. Recently steps have been rebuilt and more steps added to allow easy access to the lake. Tourists interested in visiting the lake can stay at the MTDC Resort, Lonar which provides good food and accommodation at a reasonable rate.
