Kherkatta Reservoir, man-made lake in Chhattisgarh, India
Kherkatta Reservoir is a man-made lake north of Pakhanjore in Chhattisgarh, India, created by an earth-fill dam across the Matholi River. The dam stands about 20 meters high, stretches 610 meters in length, and the reservoir covers roughly 1,300 acres while holding nearly 3 billion cubic meters of water.
The Dandakaranya Development Authority began construction in 1958 as part of a project to help refugees settle in the region. The reservoir was completed in 1964 and has since become essential infrastructure for local irrigation and water supply.
The name Kherkatta comes from Hindi and means "Land of energy", reflecting the site's importance for local development and resource use. Families settled around the reservoir engage in activities like fish farming, duck rearing, and vegetable growing as part of their daily life.
The reservoir is best explored on foot, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the area around the dam features open terrain with varied ground conditions. There are opportunities to rest by the water, and the quiet setting makes it a pleasant place for short walks and bird watching.
The reservoir holds about 25 different fish species, mostly from the carp family, showing the diversity of its ecosystem. The first scientific study of fish populations here helped understand local aquatic biodiversity and support conservation efforts.
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