Vembanad Lake

Current Context : A recent expert committee report (2025) on the Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Project revealed the lake’s surface area shrank by 27% between 1917 and 1990, underscoring urgent conservation needs.

About Vembanad Lake

• Location: Southwest coast of Kerala; part of the Vembanad-Kol wetland system.
• Ramsar Site: Designated under the Ramsar Convention for its rich biodiversity.
• Ecological Role:
  • Largest brackish water lagoon in India.
  • Habitat for third-largest waterfowl gatherings in winter.
  • Supplies 30% of Kerala’s surface water resources.
• Tourism & Culture:
  • Houseboat cruises on the backwaters.
  • Pathiramanal Island (“Midnight Sands”)—a birdwatcher’s haven.