Kanwar Lake or Kanwar Jheel or Kanwar Taal also named as Kabar Taal Lake is asked in various BIhar examinations. Kanwar Jheel/ Lake is situated in Begusarai District of Bihar. It is a pride of Bihar and recently added in the Ramsar Sites List which makes it the only Ramsar Site in the state of Bihar.
What is Kanwar Lake or Kabar Taal Jheel
Kanwar Lake or Kabar Taal is a wetland located near to Majhaul area of Begusarai District of Bihar. It is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake. It is a freshwater natural wetland. It is the first Site from Bihar to be added in the Ramsar Sites List. Kabar Taal is added in the Ramsar List in 2020.
The Kanwar lake draws water from Gandak (a tributary of Ganga), Bia and Kareh rivers. It spreads across 2620 hectares of the Indo-Gangetic plains of Bihar. The lake consists of 165 species of plants and 394 species of animals. It includes 221 bird species and hence is declares as a bird sanctuary. It is home to approximately 58 migratory bird species. It houses over 50 species of fish. It is home to three vulture species, the red headed, white rumped and Indian vulture.
Where is Kanwar Lake Situated
Kanwar lake is situated 22 kilometres North-West of Begusarai Town in the town of Majhaul. It is 162.7 KMs from the capital city of Patna. It takes approximately Three Hours and Thirty minutes to reach Kanwar Lake from Patna by road. The nearest Airport from Kanwar Lake is Patna Airport.
Kanwar Lake Important Facts
| Location | Begusarai, Bihar |
| Other Names | Kabar Taal |
| Situated in Town | Majhaul |
| Recognised As | A Ramsar Site |
| Recognition | First Ramsar Site of Bihar |
| Type | Wetland |
| Formed on the confluence of | Gandak, Bia and Kareh |
| Also declared as a | Bird Sanctuary |
| Distance from the Capital Patna | 162.7 KMs |
| Ramsar Site Inclusion Year | 2020 |
What is a Ramsar Site
A Ramsar Site is a site that gets recognition under the Ramsar Convention. Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty which came into existence in 1971 that provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters”.
Kanwar Lake goes upto a depth of 1.5 metres in monsoon season.
There is a total of 75 Ramsar Sites in India till 2022.
Ramsar convention is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran where the convention was held in February of 1971.
FAQs on Kanwar Lake
Q.) Where is Kanwar Lake Situated?
Ans: Begusarai, Bihar
Q.) What is Kanwar Lake?
Ans: A Wetland
Q.) What is Kanwar Lake locally called?
Ans: Kabar Taal
Q.) What recognition Kanwar Lake has got?
Ans: It is declared as a Ramsar Site
Q.) What type of bodies are protected under Ramsar Convention?
Ans: Wetlands
Q.) In which year Kanwar Lake is recognised as a Ramsar Site?
Ans: 2020
Q.) How many Ramsar Sites are there in India?
Ans: 75 (Seventy Five)
Q.) On the confluence of which rivers Kanwar lake is formed?
Ans: Gandak, Bia and Kareh.
Q.) How much area is covered by the Kanwar Lake in the indo gangetic plain of Bihar?
Ans: 2620 Hectares
Q.) What is distance of Kanwar Lake from the capital city of Patna?
Ans: 162.7 KMs
Q.) In which town of Begusarai Kanwar Lake is situated?
Ans: Majhaul
