Ana Sagar Lake

GS3 – Environment

Context:

• Supreme Court (SC) Order: Directed the removal of ‘Seven Wonders’ replicas from Ana Sagar Lake to balance tourism with environmental conservation.
• Why? Part of Ana Sagar Lake is a designated wetland, requiring protection under environmental laws.

About Ana Sagar Lake

• Type: Artificial Lake
• Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan
• Area: Spans ~13 km²
• Formation: Created by damming the Luni (Lavanavari) River.
• Built By: Arnoraja Chauhan (Anaji), grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, between 1135-1150 AD.
• Island: Located at the center, accessible by boat.
• Seasonal Variation: Dries up every summer, affecting local water availability.

Historical Additions & Nearby Landmarks

• Khobra Behroon Temple – Ancient temple near the lake.
• Baradari Pavilions (1637 AD) – Built by Shah Jahan on the lake’s banks.
• Daulat Bagh Gardens – Constructed by Jahangir, enhancing the lake’s aesthetics.
• British Residency – Converted into a Circuit House on a nearby hill.