Sukhna Lake

The lake was created by Le Corbusier and the Chief Engineer L Verma. To preserve its tranquility, Corbusier insisted on two things: that it be forbidden for motorboats to circulate in the water, and for vehicular traffic to be prohibited on top of the dam (promenade). The lake is fringed by a golf course to the south, and Nek Chand's famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west. The Japanese Garden, Chandigarh, known for its Japanese-style architecture and peaceful atmosphere, is another notable attraction located nearby in Sector 31. ==Local lore==

Sukhna is an inseparable part of the city of Chandigarh. The city planners were deeply attached to the lake. So much so that Pierre Jeanneret's ashes were immersed in the lake in 1970 at his niece's request. The roof of the dam has become a promenade. Sukhna has a membership-based Lake Club with lawns, a gym, indoor games, swimming pools, and both grass and synthetic tennis courts. Boating, rowing, sculling, sailing, kayaking, and water-skiing can be undertaken throughout the year. The lake, which was the venue for the Asian Rowing Championships, has the longest channel for rowing and yachting events in Asia. Sukhna is a sanctuary for many migratory birds like the Siberian duck, storks and cranes, during the winter months. The lake has been declared a protected national wetland by the Government of India. During summers, there are streams of men, women, and children, from all walks of life offering voluntary service to desilt the lake bed for about three months. This annual ritual has been a regular feature since long ago. Sukhna Lake is the venue for many festive celebrations, too. The most popular is the Mango Festival held during the monsoons when scores of varieties of mangoes are on display. From time to time, time to time festivals featuring specialities from different Indian States are also held here, along with cultural performances. ==Development and maintenance==

The Mera Chandigarh administration has made a decision not to allow fish more than 30 cm in size in the Sukhna Lake The Chandigarh Administration has finalized a new plan for Sukhna Lake and New Lake in Sector 42 with Rs 2.73 crore which has also been received from Union Government.B.A. ==Problems==

The lake is facing serious issues like weed overgrowth, catchment adequacy and silting that are significantly shrinking its size and depth. A project team, under Parasu Ram Mishra, was deployed to address the issue and take remedial measures, which halted the sedimentation, for a while. Additionally, it has become the subject of litigation between Chandigarh and Punjab. Silting has taken its toll and the volume of the lake has been reduced to 56% of its original. The lake is shrinking rapidly due to siltation and lack of inflow. It was initially hoped that the work of desilting could be undertaken in summers at a war footing and dry dredging could be undertaken at a fraction of cost to save Sukhna in the coming years. Unfortunately, the ground realities seem to be different. Due to heavy rain in August and September, Sukhna was filled up again, and flood gates were being opened. ==Avian flu scare==

In December 2014, there was an Avian Influenza—or commonly known as the Bird Flu scare —that led to a temporary ban on geese to take premises. The scare started after some migrant geese were found dead in the lake. However, the administration took great precautions and the domesticated geese were culled to check an infection. Workers who culled the geese went for a check to be sure that they were safe. The reason behind the death of the geese—whether there is a bird flu scare —remains unknown. ==Gallery==

File:Sukhna lake as viewed on a sunny morning.jpg|View of the lake, with the Shivalik Hills visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky File:Bar-headed geese, Sukhna lake, Chandigarh 01.jpg|Bar-headed geese at Sukhna lake File:Sunrise over Sukhna.jpg|Sunrise at the lake File:Commercial Stalls - Sukhna Lake Complex - Chandigarh 2016-08-07 9047.JPG|Commercial stalls File:Street Portrait Session - Sukhna Lake Complex - Chandigarh 2016-08-07 9037.JPG|Street Portrait Session at Sukhna Lake File:Sukhna Lake, chandigarh - panoramio.jpg|Shikara at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh. File:Sun set ,Sukhna Lake ,Chndigarh.jpg|Sunset, Sukhna Lake, 25 April 2018 ==See also==