Location: Tiswadi Taluka,
12 km west of Panaji, Goa
Area: 72 ha.
Altitude: 5-10 m
Description of site: A quadrilateral-shaped lake
occupying an area of 72 ha of which the central 40 ha are water-laden and
the surrounding 30 ha is lateritic soil, supporting grassland used for grazing
cattle. Grass cover is extensive, particularly towards its northern end. Situated
about 5-10 m above sea level, the lake lies between the estuarine zone of
the Mandovi and Zuari rivers.
Climatic conditions: Temperature ranges from 20�C
to 33�C. Annual average rainfall is about 2500 mm; water temperature is between
15� and 20�C
Principal vegetation: Wild varieties of rice, along
with other monocots and dicots, are cultivated around the lake. Several species
of algae, such as Euglena, Chlamydomonas, Phormidium, Oscillatoria, Anabana,
Nitzschia, Pinnularia, and Spirogyra, are found in the lake. Most of these
species are detoxifiers of regular pesticides which are of chlorinated hydrocarbon
origin. Species of Chlorella and Euglena play an important role in sewage
treatment. Chlorella is also a rich source of Vitamin B and is consumed by
local people. The wetland is enclosed by an embankment on which coconut, jackfruit,
mango, cashewnut, and teak are grown. Lateritic soil around the wetland is
ideal for the growth of several varieties of graminae and herbs
Economic and social values: The lake is inhabited by about
5-6 species of freshwater fish and several crustacean species. The waters
are annually auctioned for fishing in the month of April. Nympheaceae flowers
are picked for sale
Fauna: Fish, insects, and algae are a rich source
of food for migratory birds, notable among which are pintail ducks. About
120 species of bird (migratory and local) have been reported to be seen. Some
of these are: small-green barbet, crimson-breasted barbet, golden-backed woodpecker,
wire-tailed swallow, red-rumped swallow, house swallow, golden oriole, black
drongo, common myna, jungle myna, Indian tree pie, house crow, jungle crow,
common iora, goldfronted chloropsis, goldmantled chloropsis, red-whiskered
bulbul, red-ventedbulbul, white-cheeked bulbul, jungle babbler, flycatcher,
paradise flycatcher, crowned leaf warbler, magpie robin, Indian robin, pied
bush chat, stone curlew, yellowcheeked tit, Indian tree pipit, paddy field
pipit, yellow wagtail, grey wagtail, large pied wagtail, pied wagtail, Tickell's
flower pecker, plaincoloured flower pecker, purplerumped sunbird, house sparrow.
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