Anasagar Lake

• 28 Mar 2025

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court ordered the Rajasthan government to remove the Seven Wonders and Food Court built on the banks of Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer. 

Key Points 

• About the issue: 
  • The Supreme Court has directed Seven Wonders Park to be demolished or shifted to another location within six months , while the food court has been ordered to be completely demolished by 7th April 2025. 
  • Additionally, the court clarified that the amount of new wetlands damaged in the city area must be developed. 
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had also taken a tough stand on damaging the wetland area of the lake.  
• Petition 
  • A former councilor of Ajmer had raised objections regarding illegal construction on the banks of Ana Sagar Lake. 
    • He alleged that this construction was done in disregard of the wetland area and the master plan.  
  • Regarding this, he had filed a petition in NGT, after which orders were issued to remove the construction in August 2023. 
  • The Ajmer Development Authority appealed against these orders in the Supreme Court in January 2024.  

Anasagar Lake  

• Located in Ajmer, it is an artificial lake , built by Prithviraj Chauhan's father Arunoraj or Anaaji Chauhan in the middle of the twelfth century (1135-1150 AD).  
  • Due to being constructed by Aanaji, this lake was named Aana Sagar or Ana Sagar 
• The Ana Sagar lake is spread over an area of about 13 km. 
• Later, the Mughal ruler Jahangir built Daulat Bagh , also known as  Subhash Udyan , in the courtyard of the lake . 
• Shah Jahan constructed a marble Baradari (pavilion) around it in 1637 AD , which further enhances the beauty of the lake. 
• Ana Sagar Lake, besides being the main water source of Ajmer, plays an important role in the conservation of local biodiversity and migratory birds.