India, April 24 -- The Maharashtra government has proposed plugging the inflow from natural springs into Lonar Crater Lake, which has seen an alarming rise in water levels since last year's monsoon. The proposal, by the State Board for Wildlife's standing committee, has been sent to the National Board for Wildlife for approval, said officials aware of the developments.

According to reports, continuous inflow from the four main springs around the lake is estimated to have raised the water level by 15-20 feet within a few months between late 2025 and early 2026. Several ancient temples around the crater rim have been partially or fully submerged, including the 1,200-year-old Kamalja Devi Temple.

Experts attribute the rise to a combination...