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17 June 2020.
Introduction:
As the colour of the Lonar Lake in Mahahrashtra turns pink,the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has sought reports from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Geological Survey of India on the environmental impact assessment of the Lonar lake.
Highlights:
- The expert team from NEERI and also the Geological Survey of India (GSI) shall examine the colour change and the findings regarding glass formation on surface of the Crater Lake by collecting requisite samples and analysing them, and submit their reports soon.
About the Lonar Lake:
- The oval-shaped Lonar lake, formed after a meteorite hit the Earth some 50,000 years ago, is a popular tourist hub located in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district
- Bed-rock of the crater is a basalt rock, and this is a new feature not found anywhere else on the Earth and is found only on the beds of craters existing on moon.
- The colour of the crater recently turned pink.
- The area around the lake is an eco-sensitive zone as it consists of Ejecta Blanket that is made up of the same material as that found on the moon.
- The lake is a National Geo- Heritage monument.
National Geo- Heritage Monument:
- National Geological Monuments are geographical areas of national importance and heritage, as notified by the Government of India’s Geological Survey of India (GSI), for their maintenance, protection, promotion and enhancement of geotourism.
- There are 34 notified National Geological Heritage Monument Sites of India. GSI or the respective State governments are responsible for taking necessary measures to protect these sites.
Reason for the lake turning pink:
According to experts the Lonar lake is turning pink due to increased salinity in water and also due to presence of algae. The amount of water in the lake has reduced there by causing salinity and turning it pink.