Vihar Lake, Freshwater reservoir in Maharashtra, India.
Vihar Lake is a freshwater reservoir in Maharashtra that covers an area of 400 hectares surrounded by dense forest near Mumbai. The water surface itself spans roughly 300 hectares and sits within protected woodland that shields it from urban development.
The reservoir was built during the 19th century and became a key part of Mumbai's water supply system as the city expanded. Construction took place under British colonial rule and transformed the region's infrastructure for generations to come.
The lake area maintains programs where researchers and students conduct field studies about local wildlife species and ecological patterns.
The best conditions for birdwatching occur between November and March when migratory species arrive from different regions. Early morning hours offer the clearest opportunities to observe birds along the shoreline before the sun rises higher.
The water body is home to around 60 native fish species that live in the varying depths of the reservoir. This biological diversity developed despite the continued use of the lake as a drinking water source for the metropolis.
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