Importance and Productivity of Bakhira Lake (Sant Kabir Nagar, India) for the Livelihoods of Tribals and Locals

Bakhira lake is in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. It is a vast stretch of water body expanding over an area of 29 km2. This is an important lake of eastern UP, which provides a wintering and staging ground for a number of migratory waterfowls and a breeding ground for resident birds. This is also used for farming activities as it is connected to Bakhira Canal which covers the people of 15 km from its origin. The villagers from the surrounding villages depend on it for their livelihood in the form of fishing, agricultural activities and fuelwood collection from it. The Siberians birds travel across 5000 km at the time of winter's. Best time to visit to Bakhira lake is in winters Nov–Jan. During this time migratory birds from Tibet, China, Europe & Siberia come here, covering about 5000 km. There are more than 30 species of fish found in the lake. However the dominant species are Labeo rohita and Chana sp.