H. N. Subudhi

Ansupa a Wetland Paradise H. N. Subudhi

Ansupa, the largest freshwater lake of Odisha lies in the Banki subdivision of Cuttack district. It is the so called sister lake of Chilika once was looking like a heavenly picture gallery with small fishing boat on the blue waters and hills on the banks, birds of different colours and above all lotus and lilies. The lake is bounded by Saranda hills on its western side, Bishnupur hills on its north east side and surrounded by villages like Subarnapur, Kadalibadi, etc. The lake is connected with river Mahanadi on its south-east side by channel known as Kabuli Nallah. The water depth is 5-10ft. Owing to peculiar geographic location as well as microclimatic conditions several type of life forms are met with. Out of which the aquatic species deserves special mention being one of the most valuable and productive ecosystems of the world. This lake has its own reputation among the wetlands of the state. The scenic beauty accomplished with colourful flowers and birds have attracted the nature lovers in the recent past. Out of the 149 species,75 species are dicotyledons and 74 are monocotyledons. With the interference of human, species became rare and some are on the verge of extinction.