Pakhal Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and Kakatiya Irrigation Heritage

Pakhal Lake in Warangal district, constructed by the Kakatiya king Ganapathideva in 1213 CE, is one of the oldest and largest man-made lakes in India, covering 30 square kilometres. The earthen bund's engineering was the largest irrigation structure in the Deccan at the time of construction. The lake forms the centrepiece of the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, supporting sambar, wild boar, leopard, and over 200 bird species in the surrounding dry deciduous forest. Traditional fishing communities have harvested the lake's freshwater fish population under community rights recognised since Kakatiya times.