The Maharashtra government has proposed a plan to plug the inflow from natural springs into Lonar Crater Lake, which has seen alarming water level increases since the monsoon of 2025. Reports indicate that the water level has risen by 15-20 feet in just a few months, leading to the partial or complete submersion of several ancient temples, including the 1,200-year-old Kamalja Devi Temple. The situation has been described as an ecological and heritage crisis by the Bombay High Court, prompting discussions at a State Board for Wildlife meeting in March. Experts attribute the rise in water levels to heavy rainfall, groundwater changes from deep borewell drilling, and reduced evaporation. A committee formed in compliance with the court's orders is tasked with identifying causes and recommending mitigation measures, including the proposal to stop the inflow from springs. This recommendation is based on a study from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, which warns that continued rising water levels could destabilize the lake's ecosystem and its unique microbial life. The Lonar Crater Lake, formed 52,000 years ago by a meteorite impact, is a significant natural laboratory due to its saline and alkaline waters.