Umiam Lake Wildlife

Umiam Lake is also quite popularly known as the Barapani Lake which is a wonderful man-made reservoir situated at a distance of 15 kilometers to the north of Shillong which is the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The lake was created by damming the Umiam River and after it was constructed in the early 1960s for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. The catchment area of the lake and the dam is spread over an area of 220 square kilometers.

The Umiam Lake proves to be a major tourist spot for the state of Meghalaya and it also serves as a popular destination for water sport and adventure activities. Tourists love to visit this place for activities like kayaking, water cycling, scooting and boating.This popular tourist spots in Shillong is an immense and picturesque reservoir that attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country. It is also widely known as the “Bara Pani” or the Big Water. 

The serene lake or the reservoir is bounded by thick coniferous forests that spread over an area of about 222 square kilometers.The area of the lake is encircled by lush green East Khasi hills that make for wonderful panoramic sights for all the nature lovers of the country. The charming setting and the composed beauty of the lake attract tourists from all over the globe and the view of the sunrise is a treat to the eyes which should not be given a miss.

This lake which was initially projected to be as a reservoir for a Dam quickly became one of the most famous tourists spots in Shillong. It has also become a major hub for various thrilling activities and the tourists can also enjoy riding row boats, paddle boats, sailing boats, cruise boats and speed boats as well.

The Umiam Lake is time and again compared with the beautiful and marvelous lakes of Scotland. Which adds more to the beauty of the lake is that it also features a splendid garden which is named Lum Nehru Park. On top of that, there are little islands as well that rise from the water and look remarkably beautiful.

The lake opens everyday for different kinds of water sport activities between 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening but its panoramic visuals can be enjoyed at any time.The Umaim Lake makes for an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts as it is surrounded with the utmost beauty and lush greenery so the tourists can take enchanting photographs whilst enjoying boating and reveling in other water sport activities.

There is an array of exciting and fun activities for kids to enjoy at the Umaim Lake. Apart from boating, there are other water sporting and fun activities as well that the children will love to take part in although in the guidance of their guardians. The Umiam Lake has a park near to it which is a hub for picnics and so is frequently visited by visitors to spend a casual time with their dear ones as there is something for everybody at the Lake. 

On one hand, the students and nature enthusiasts will love to admire the flora and fauna and they will be excited to study the science behind the dam. 

On the other hand, small children can spend some time in the park with their guardians and the visitors in general can enjoy themselves in a long boat ride in the lake and the adventure lovers can also take pleasure in boating and various other water-sport activities.