Largest lakes in India
- Vembanad Lake (Kerala): 2,033 sq km
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): 1,165 sq km
- Shivaji Sagar Lake (Maharashtra): 891.7 sq km
- Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh): 627 sq km
- Pangong Tso (Ladakh): 700 sq km
- Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh): 450 sq km
- Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh): 375 sq km
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): 287 sq km
- Nagarjuna Sagar Lake (Telangana): 285 sq km
- Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir): 259 sq km
Largest lakes in India: Details
- Vembanad Lake, Kerala:
- Largest lake in India, covering 2,033 sq km.
- Ramsar site and habitat for diverse flora and fauna.
- Chilika Lake, Odisha:
- Largest brackish water lagoon in India.
- Largest wintering ground for migratory birds in Asia.
- Second largest Ramsar site globally.
- Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir:
- Largest freshwater lake in India.
- Vital for irrigation and fisheries.
- Loktak Lake, Manipur:
- Unique floating lake with phumdis (floating vegetation masses).
- Significant income source for locals.
- Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir:
- Famous tourist destination known for houseboats and shikaras.
- Located in Srinagar.
- Pangong Tso, Ladakh:
- High-altitude saltwater lake on India-China border.
- Known for dramatic scenery and changing colors.
- Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan:
- Saline lake renowned for salt production.
- Important habitat for flamingos and other birds.
- Govind Sagar Lake, Himachal Pradesh:
- Artificial lake created by Bhakra Dam.
- Significant for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
- Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh:
- Second largest brackish water lagoon in India.
- Key habitat for migratory birds and marine life.
- Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh:
- Largest freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh.
- Important for irrigation and fisheries.
Important lakes in India: Statewise List
Andhra Pradesh
- Pulicat Lake
- Kolleru Lake
Assam
- Haflong Lake
- Deepor Beel
- Chandubi Lake
Bihar
- Kanwar lake
Gujarat
- Hamirsar Lake
- Kankaria Lake
Haryana
- Badkhal Lake
- Brahma Sarovar
Himachal Pradesh
- Chandra Taal
- Maharana Pratap Sagar
Jammu and Kashmir
- Dal Lake
- Wular Lake
Karnataka
- Agra Lake
- Ulsoor Lake
Kerala
- Kuttanad Lake
- Sasthamkotta
Madhya Pradesh
- Bhojtal
Maharashtra
- Shivsagar
Manipur
- Loktak lake
Meghalaya
- Umiam Lake
Mizoram
- Tam Dil
Odisha
- Chilika Lake
Punjab
- Harike
- Kanjli
Rajasthan
- Sambhar Lake
Sikkim
- Tsomgo Lake
Tamil Nadu
- Chembarambakkam
- Kaliveli
Telangana
- Hussain Sagar
Uttar Pradesh
- Govind Bhallabh Pant Sagar
- Belasagar
Uttarakhand
- Bhimtal
Types of Lakes
Lakes can be classified based on their salinity, which is the amount of salt dissolved in the water.
- Freshwater lakes have a low salinity level, typically less than 1 part per thousand (ppt).
- Brackish water lakes have a salinity level between 1 and 35 ppt.
- Saltwater lakes have a salinity level of 35 ppt or more.
Lakes can also be classified based on their formation.
- Glacial lakes are formed by the melting of glaciers.
- Tectonic lakes are formed by the movement of tectonic plates.
- Crater lakes are formed in the craters of volcanoes.
- Oxbow lakes are formed when a river changes course.
Importance of Lakes
Lakes are important for a variety of reasons. They provide a source of water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. They also support a variety of plant and animal life. Lakes can also be used for recreation and tourism.
Threats to Lakes
Lakes are threatened by a variety of human activities, including:
- Pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and sewage.
- Overuse of water resources.
- Habitat destruction from deforestation and development.
Lakes in India: Objective Questions
- Which lake is the largest in India and covers an area of 2,033 sq km?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Loktak Lake, Manipur - Which lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and serves as the largest wintering ground for migratory birds in Asia?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir - Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and is crucial for irrigation and fisheries?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Loktak Lake, Manipur - Which lake is known for its unique floating vegetation masses called phumdis and serves as a significant income source for locals?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Loktak Lake, Manipur - Which lake is famous for its houseboats and shikaras and is located in Srinagar?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir - Which lake is a high-altitude saltwater lake located on the India-China border and is known for its dramatic scenery and changing colors?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Pangong Tso, Ladakh - Which lake is renowned for salt production and serves as an important habitat for flamingos and other birds?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan - Which lake is an artificial lake created by Bhakra Dam and is significant for irrigation and hydroelectric power?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Govind Sagar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
D) Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh - Which lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India and is a key habitat for migratory birds and marine life?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh - Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh and is important for irrigation and fisheries?
A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
D) Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh
Answers
- A) Vembanad Lake, Kerala
- B) Chilika Lake, Odisha
- C) Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
- D) Loktak Lake, Manipur
- D) Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
- D) Pangong Tso, Ladakh
- D) Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan
- C) Govind Sagar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
- D) Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
- D) Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh
