Sasthamcotta Lake

Sasthamcotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala, about 25 kilometres from Kollam and 8 from Karunagappally. It takes its name from the old Sastha temple on its bank, a pilgrimage centre. The lake supplies drinking water to around half a million people in Kollam district and supports local fishing, and its clean water is credited to a larva that feeds on bacteria. It was listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in November 2002.

Steep hills with narrow valleys enclose the lake on most sides, while a 1.5-kilometre earth bund on the south keeps it apart from paddy fields on the Kallada river plain. Farming has taken over part of its former area, leaving about 375 hectares of water. A ferry crosses between West Kallada and Sasthamcotta.