Lakes in West Bengal

Kolkata city has a number of small and large lakes spread over its frontiers. Many of these lakes are derived from the river Hooghly that eventually terminates in the Bay of Bengal. The lakes of Kolkata constitute some of the best picnic spots in the city. The visitors can be seen indulging in a number of activities at these lakes like angling, swimming and boat rowing.

Rabindra Sarobar Lake is one of the best lake bodies in the city of Kolkata. The site witnesses a flush of the people, people who come for the tranquility of it. Early joggers energize themselves with the fresh air, senior citizens come for the solitude, young people take it as a dating place and kids to make a dive. The lake is a recombinant of two lakes. Likewise there is Nalban Lake in the Salt Lake City area. Spread over 400 acres, the fresh water lake reflects the beauty of the natural ambience around. The lake has a number of facilities for rowing and other activities. The newly installed hovercraft facility has given the tourism around a real fillip. Besides these lakes there are many smaller ones, especially in swampy regions.

Bhangzang Salamander Lake
The Bhangzang Salamander Lake is located at a distance of 14 km from the town of Kurseong. This is a beautiful and serene lake with green-tinged waters and is home to a range of salamanders which is a rare and endangered species. The lake is a natural haven with greenery all around and its natural grandeur had made it a popular destination among the British. Even today, though the lake is relatively unknown to tourists, local people from the nearby areas come here to enjoy a pleasant evening and the beauty of the lake and the surroundings.

Rabindra Sarovar
The Rabindra Sarovar is a huge artificial lake located in South Kolkata. It spans an area of 76 hectares and is surrounded by huge trees. Previously, it was also known as Dhakuria Lake, but in 1958 it was renamed as Rabindra Sarovar as a tribute to the Nobel Laureate and great Bengali poet and author, Rabindranath Tagore. Gardens, recreation facilities, children’s parks and an auditorium were later developed around this lake. The lake is also the home to various fish and migratory birds. The other structures situated in and around the lake are a football stadium called Rabindra Sarovar Stadium, an ancient mosque, an open-air theatre called Mukta Mancha, a Japanese Buddhist temple by Nichidatsu Fuji and a cultural institute known as Ramakrishna Mission. A number of swimming and rowing clubs are also situated within the lake such as the Calcutta Rowing Club, Lake Club, Anderson Club, Bengal Rowing Club and Calcutta University Rowing Club.

Santragachi Jheel
Santragachi Jheel (lake), spanning an area of 32 acres is a safe haven of migratory winter birds, arriving from far away destinations, especially during December and January. The lake, nestled in the central part of Howrah city, is located at a distance of 10 km from Kolkata. Visitors can view birds like goose, cotton pygmy goose, comb duck, etc. at the lake, the special attraction being lesser whistling ducks. The Forest Department of West Bengal maintains Santragachi Jheel. Moreover, the Forest Ministry of the state is also taking initiatives to transform the jheel into a ‘wildlife conservation centre’.

Senchal Lake
The Senchal Lake is about 11 km from the Darjeeling town. It is the main reservoir from where the water is supplied to Darjeeling. At a height of 8515 feet above sea level, it lies close to the Tiger Hills. It is an attractive picnic spot, which boasts of a 9-hole golf course and a clubhouse. The Senchal Lake is a place of scenic splendor and popular among tourists from around the world.