Location: at the headwaters
of the Godavari river, 35 km east of Nasik, Nasik district, Maharashtra.
Area: 10012.7 ha
Description of site: A large water-storage reservoir
(1500 - 2000 ha) created by the construction of a dam at the confluence of
the Godavari and Kadva rivers in 1907. The reservoir fills with monsoon run-off
during July-September and may overflow in years of heavy rainfall. Water is
released from the reservoir at fixed intervals from October to April. Huge
amounts of silt have been deposited over the last 80 years; consequently much
of the lake is now marshland or very shallow water. There are three large
islands covered with reed-beds and sedge marshes. As the dry season progresses,
the Godavari river becomes the main watercourse once again. An ancient temple
(Madhameshwar) is situated on the banks of Godavari river below the dam. The
presence of about 23 small lakes within a radius of 25 km of the reservoir
adds to the overall importance of the region
Climatic conditions: Semi-arid, tropical monsoon
climate with a average annual rainfall of 500 mm. Summer temperatures range
from 25�C to 43�C, winter temperatures from 4�C to 26�C
Principal vegetation: Almeida (1983) lists 463 species
of plants, including over 80 species of aquatic plants; The latter include
Ipomoea fistulosa, I. aquatics, Hygrophila auriculata, Phyla nodiflora, Polygonum
glabrum, P. plebeium, Rumex dentatus, Hydrilla verticillata, Vallisneria spiralis.
Ottelia alismoides, Zeuzine strateomatica, Eichhornia crassipes, Cryptocorine
spiralis, Typha angustata, Spirodela polyrrhiza, Potamogeton perfoliata, P.
pectinate, P. crispus, Cyperus spp., Echiinochloa colnum, Paspalidium flavidum,
P. geniculatum, Marsilea minuta and Azolla pinnate. The surrounding areas
are intensively cultivated for sugarcane, wheat, jawar, and vineyards, and
the landscape is almost devoid of trees
Fauna: Over 20 species of fish have been recorded
in the reservoir, including Ompok bimaculatus, Rasbora daniconius, Pontius
ticto, P. serene, P. fraseri, P. amphibius, Gawa mullya, Labeo calbasu, L.
boggut, Chela clupeoides, Mystus cavasius, Barilius bendelisis, Cirrhina reba,
Aspidoparis moray, Danio malabaricus, Mastacembelus armatus, Channa range
and Parasilorhynchus prateri. At least 235 species of bird are known to occur,
of which 85% are migratory. The reservoir is particularly important as a staging
and wintering area for migratory waterfowl. Up to 15,000 waterfowl have been
recorded in winter, and even more are reported to be present during the migration
seasons.
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