Pookode Lake

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Pookode Lake

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| image = PookodeLake.jpg

| alt = View of Pookode Lake

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| location = Pookode, Wayanad District, Kerala

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| coordinates = {{coord|11.5424566|N|76.0272233|E|type:waterbody|display=title,inline|format=dms}}

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| basin_countries = India

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| area = {{convert|13|acre}}

| depth = {{convert|40|m}}

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| elevation = {{convert|2100|m}}

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| pushpin_map = Kerala

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| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Pookode Lake within Kerala

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| website = http://wayanadtourism.org/explore

| reference = {{cite web |title=Pookode Lake, Wayanad, Pookode Lake Boating Time & Ticket Charge - Wayanad.com |url=https://www.wayanad.com/pages/pookode-lake |website=www.wayanad.com |language=en}}

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File:Fish from pookot fish hatchery (4).JPG

Pookode Lake is a scenic freshwater lake in the Wayanad district in Kerala, South India. A major tourist destination in the district, Pookode is a natural freshwater lake nestling amid evergreen forests and mountain slopes at an elevation of 770 meters above sea level. It is 15 km away from Kalpetta. It is the smallest and highest elevation freshwater lake in Kerala.

Origin

Panamaram, the rivulet which ultimately becomes Kabani River, originates from Pookode Lake.{{cite web|title=Waynad: Rivers | url=http://wayanad.nic.in/river.htm | work=Waynad District website | publisher=Collectorate, Wayanad, Kerala State | access-date=22 December 2011}} It is spread across an area of 8.5 hectares and with a maximum depth of 6.5 metres.{{cite web|title=Lakes and Islands|url=http://www.keralatourism.org/wayanad/lakes-islands.php}} Lying 3 km south of Vythiri town, the lake is one of the most popular tourist spots in Wayanad.

Features

The lake has the natural shape of India's map in aerial view. This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is only one of its kind in Kerala. Pethia pookodensis, is a species of cyprinid fish known to occur only in Pookode Lake. The lake has abundance of blue lotus and fresh water fishes. Boating facilities are also there. The forests surrounding the lake hold many wild animals, birds and flies. There are groups of Blue water lily flowers scattered here and there in the lake. In the entrance there is a handicraft shop where you can buy everything like handmade soap, Ayurvedic medicinal products, crafts etc.

Administration

The lake is under the South Wayanad forest division and run by District Tourism promotion council. Boating facilities, children's park, handicrafts and spices emporium and fresh water aquarium are among the tourist attractions here.{{cite web | url = http://wayanad.nic.in/gallery01.htm | title = Waynad Gallery | work=Waynad District website | publisher=Collectorate, Wayanad, Kerala State | access-date=22 December 2011}}