Sasthamkotta Lake

                   It is also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage center) located on its bank. It is surrounded by hills on all sides except south where a bund has been constructed separating the lake from the neighboring rice fields. The present area of the lake is 375 ha since large part of the lake is occupied for agriculture. The lake is used for fishing. The source of water is from the underground sprouts.

The lake has a capacity to hold 22390 million litres of water and serves as the source of drinking water for half a million people of Kollam district. The purity of the lake water for drinking use is attributed to the presence of large population of larva called cavaborus that consumes bacteria in the lake water. The wetland supports 27 species of freshwater fishes and two genera of prawns. The lake is a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since November 2002.

The lake is slowly dying owing to many reasons, including alarming decrease in water level and pollution of the lake water. It is seen that large tracts of land around the lake have been cleared off trees and people are undertaking paddy, plantain and tapioca cultivation over here. Illegal sand mining in West Kallada River flowing very near the lake is one of the causes for the fall in the lake's water level. A recent investigation by the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) had revealed that the lake was losing its water level at an alarming rate of 1 cm per day. Agricultural and domestic wastes from surrounding areas entering the lake cause lake pollution. Other major threats include reclamation of the land adjacent to the lake for agricultural purpose. 

Location: Only 25 km from Kollam city. Only 15 km from Karunagappally town.