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Important Lakes in India
India, with its varied geography and rich ecosystems, is home to numerous breathtaking lakes with great cultural, historical, and ecological significance. Lakes in India are not only scenic but also play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, providing water resources, and attracting tourism. This guide covers the most significant lakes across the country, their unique characteristics, and the reasons they are essential for India’s environmental and cultural landscape.
1. Dal Lake – Jammu & Kashmir
- Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
- Famous For: Scenic beauty, houseboats, Shikara rides
- Interesting Fact: Known as the “Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir.”
- Significance: Dal Lake is famous for its houseboats, Shikara rides, and floating gardens. It’s central to Kashmir’s tourism economy and sustains traditional practices, including the cultivation of vegetables on floating gardens. Dal Lake is divided into four basins and hosts floating islands made of reeds.
- Ecological Importance: Dal Lake faces challenges from pollution and encroachment, with efforts underway to conserve its unique ecosystem. It supports aquatic life, migratory birds, and local fisheries, and helps maintain groundwater levels in the valley.
2. Wular Lake – Jammu & Kashmir
- Location: Bandipora District, Jammu & Kashmir
- Famous For: One of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes
- Interesting Fact: Important habitat for migratory birds and local fish species.
- Significance: Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, is crucial for water storage, flood control, and local fisheries. It is primarily fed by the Jhelum River and acts as a natural reservoir.
- Ecological Importance: Declared a Ramsar Site, Wular Lake is essential for migratory birds and various fish species, including those sustaining the local fishing economy. Restoration initiatives are in place to address siltation and pollution, which impact its water-holding capacity.
3. Sambhar Lake – Rajasthan
- Location: Near Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Famous For: Largest inland saltwater lake in India
- Interesting Fact: Major center for salt production in India.
- Significance: Sambhar Lake is India’s largest inland saltwater lake and a major hub for salt production, accounting for a significant portion of India’s salt output.
- Ecological Importance: As a Ramsar Site, it serves as a vital stopover for migratory birds like flamingos, pelicans, and avocets. The lake’s salt pans support unique salt-resistant vegetation. Conservation efforts aim to protect its fragile ecosystem from salt extraction impacts.
4. Pangong Lake – Ladakh
- Location: Ladakh
- Famous For: High altitude and changing colors
- Interesting Fact: Spans both India and China.
- Significance: Pangong Lake is known for its stunning blue waters and strategic location across the India-China border. At around 4,350 meters above sea level, this lake changes colors with varying light conditions.
- Ecological Importance: Despite its high altitude, Pangong Lake supports rare species of flora and fauna adapted to extreme conditions. The lake has ecological importance, although tourism and geopolitical concerns influence conservation efforts.
5. Loktak Lake – Manipur
- Location: Bishnupur District, Manipur
- Famous For: Floating islands called “Phumdis”
- Interesting Fact: Only natural habitat for the endangered Sangai deer.
- Significance: Loktak Lake is famous for its Phumdis, unique floating islands composed of vegetation, soil, and organic matter. It is the only habitat for the endangered Sangai deer, which lives on these floating masses.
- Ecological Importance: Loktak is crucial for local fisheries and hydropower generation. It was declared a Ramsar Site to preserve its biodiversity, but the lake faces ecological threats from pollution, siltation, and invasive plants.
6. Chilika Lake – Odisha
- Location: Odisha
- Famous For: Largest coastal lagoon in India
- Interesting Fact: Supports the highest population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India.
- Significance: Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, is an ecotourism hotspot known for its rich biodiversity and as a major wintering ground for migratory birds.
- Ecological Importance: This Ramsar Site supports a wide range of wildlife, including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. The lake plays a critical role in sustaining Odisha’s fishing industry. Conservation challenges include salinity changes, fish population depletion, and habitat loss.
7. Vembanad Lake – Kerala
- Location: Kerala
- Famous For: Longest lake in India
- Interesting Fact: Site of the renowned Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
- Significance: The longest lake in India, Vembanad is central to Kerala’s backwater tourism. It is renowned for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race and provides a scenic route for houseboat cruises.
- Ecological Importance: Vembanad Lake is a Ramsar Site that supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. It has ecological significance for flood control, fish habitats, and migratory bird nesting. However, urban development, pollution, and salinity changes are threats to its ecosystem.
8. Pushkar Lake – Rajasthan
- Location: Pushkar, Rajasthan
- Famous For: Religious significance
- Interesting Fact: A major pilgrimage site for Hindus.
- Significance: Pushkar Lake is sacred to Hindus and is a major pilgrimage site. It is believed that a dip in the lake purifies sins, and the lake is surrounded by 52 ghats.
- Ecological Importance: The lake’s ecosystem supports local vegetation and bird species. The annual Pushkar Fair, held nearby, attracts thousands of visitors. However, heavy tourism places pressure on its water quality.
9. Naini Lake – Uttarakhand
- Location: Nainital, Uttarakhand
- Famous For: Scenic beauty and boating
- Interesting Fact: Lake has mythological significance in Hinduism.
- Significance: Naini Lake, in the heart of Nainital town, is a famous tourist attraction surrounded by seven hills. It plays an essential role in local tourism and sustains the city’s economy.
- Ecological Importance: The lake supports a unique ecosystem, including a variety of fish. Efforts to manage pollution, maintain water levels, and protect its natural beauty are ongoing due to its high tourist influx.
10. Kolleru Lake – Andhra Pradesh
- Location: Andhra Pradesh
- Famous For: Largest freshwater lake in South India
- Interesting Fact: Protected under the Kolleru Bird Sanctuary.
- Significance: Kolleru is one of the largest freshwater lakes in South India and supports rich biodiversity, especially as a habitat for migratory birds.
- Ecological Importance: Designated as Kolleru Bird Sanctuary, this Ramsar Site is critical for bird conservation, attracting pelicans, painted storks, and more. However, agricultural expansion and fishing practices affect its ecosystem.
11. Pulicat Lake – Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
- Location: Border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
- Famous For: Second-largest brackish water lake in India
- Interesting Fact: Hosts thousands of migratory birds, especially flamingos.
- Significance: India’s second-largest brackish water lake, Pulicat is important for fishing and biodiversity. It is a significant wetland on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.
- Ecological Importance: Pulicat is crucial for bird conservation and supports the livelihood of local fishing communities. Conservation efforts address pollution and industrial encroachment threats.
12. Sasthamkotta Lake – Kerala
- Location: Kollam District, Kerala
- Famous For: Freshwater source for surrounding regions
- Interesting Fact: Largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
- Significance: Sasthamkotta is Kerala’s largest freshwater lake, supplying drinking water to nearby towns.
- Ecological Importance: A Ramsar Site, it supports several freshwater fish species and unique flora. Sasthamkotta Lake faces threats from encroachment and pollution, impacting its water quality.
13. Bhimtal Lake – Uttarakhand
- Location: Bhimtal, Uttarakhand
- Famous For: Island at the center of the lake
- Interesting Fact: Named after Bhima from the Mahabharata.
- Significance: Bhimtal Lake is a picturesque tourist attraction known for its small island with an aquarium in the center.
- Ecological Importance: Bhimtal supports aquatic life and is critical for groundwater recharge in the region. Urbanization and tourism pose risks to its ecological balance.
14. Tsongmo Lake – Sikkim
- Location: East Sikkim
- Famous For: High-altitude glacial lake
- Interesting Fact: Sacred to the Sikkimese people.
- Significance: Known as Changu Lake, Tsongmo is a high-altitude glacial lake sacred to Sikkimese locals and popular among tourists.
- Ecological Importance: Tsongmo Lake’s glacial origins make it sensitive to climate change, impacting its seasonal water levels and biodiversity. Local efforts aim to protect it from tourism-related degradation.
Freshwater Lakes in India
| Freshwater Lakes in India | Location |
|---|---|
| Wular Lake | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Dal Lake | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur |
| Naini Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh |
| Sasthamkotta Lake | Kerala |
| Bhimtal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Barapani (Umiam) Lake | Meghalaya |
| Gobind Sagar Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
| Kanwar Lake | Bihar |
| Sardar Sarovar Lake | Gujarat |
| Renuka Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
| Tso Moriri Lake | Ladakh |
| Tsongmo (Changu) Lake | Sikkim |
| Hemkund Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Freshwater Lakes in India |
Brackish Water Lakes in India
| Brackish Water Lakes in India | Location |
|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha |
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala |
| Pulicat Lake | Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh |
| Pangong Lake | Ladakh |
| Ashtamudi Lake | Kerala |
| Nalsarovar Lake | Gujarat |
| Brackish Water Lakes in India |
Saltwater Lakes in India
| Saltwater Lakes in India | Location |
|---|---|
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Lonar Lake | Maharashtra |
| Deedwana Lake | Rajasthan |
| Pachpadra Lake | Rajasthan |
| Lunkaransar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Tso Kar Lake | Ladakh |
Artificial Lakes in India
Artificial lakes in India are man-made water reservoirs created for purposes like irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, drinking water supply, and recreation.
Here’s a list of prominent artificial lakes in India:
| Artificial Lakes in India | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Gobind Sagar Lake | Himachal Pradesh | Hydroelectric power (Bhakra Dam) |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Lake | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | Irrigation and hydroelectric power |
| Hirakud Reservoir | Odisha | Irrigation and flood control |
| Dhemaji Lake | Assam | Flood control and irrigation |
| Rana Pratap Sagar Lake | Rajasthan | Hydroelectric power (Rana Pratap Dam) |
| Krishnaraja Sagar Lake | Karnataka | Irrigation and drinking water |
| Dindigul Lake | Tamil Nadu | Irrigation |
| Chamera Lake | Himachal Pradesh | Hydroelectric power |
| Sardar Sarovar Reservoir | Gujarat | Irrigation and hydroelectric power |
| Tehri Lake | Uttarakhand | Hydroelectric power |
| Maithon Lake | Jharkhand | Irrigation and power generation |
| Ranjit Sagar Lake | Punjab | Power generation and irrigation |
| Tungabhadra Reservoir | Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh | Irrigation and hydroelectric power |
| Hussain Sagar Lake | Telangana | Recreation and water supply |
| Kodaikanal Lake | Tamil Nadu | Recreation |
| Kanpur Artificial Lake | Uttar Pradesh | Water supply |
FAQs on Important Lakes of India
- Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
- Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is India’s largest freshwater lake.
- Which lake is known for floating islands?
- Loktak Lake in Manipur is famous for its floating islands, known as Phumdis.
- What is the highest-altitude lake in India?
- At an altitude of about 4,350 meters, Pangong Lake in Ladakh is one of India’s highest-altitude lakes.
- Which is the largest coastal lagoon in India?
- Chilika Lake in Odisha is India’s largest coastal lagoon.