Freshwater influx threatens Maharashtra’s Lonar meteor lake and submerged ancient temples

Key facts

• Lonar lake in Buldhana district is India’s only basaltic meteor impact crater and a Ramsar wetland.
• The lake’s pH has dropped from 11.5 to nearly 8.5 due to freshwater influx.
• Fish were spotted in the lake last year for the first time, signalling ecosystem shift.
• Nine of the 15 shoreline temples are now partially or fully underwater.
• Lake level has risen by around 20 feet because deep borewells drilled by farmers punctured basalt layers.
• Two additional freshwater springs now flow into the crater beyond the historical two.
• Hydrogeologist Ashok Tejankar recommends intercepting spring water to supply Lonar town after purification.