Important lakes of India: India's lakes are a unique symbol of the country's natural beauty, environmental diversity, and cultural significance. These lakes are important not only because of their unique geography, but they also hold a special place for tourism, water resources, and ecology. Some lakes in India are natural, while some are man-made, and they are spread across the country, covering lakes from north to south and from east to west. In this article, we will discuss the major lakes of India, which enrich the environment, tourism, and cultural landscape of the country.
Important lakes of India
There are many important lakes in India, which symbolize the geographical, environmental, and cultural diversity of the country. These lakes can be both natural and man-made, and they are not only tourist attractions but also important for water resources and ecology.
What are lakes?
A lake is a surface water body surrounded by land. Rivers will be the outlet or inlet for lakes i.e. lakes take water from rivers or act as a source of water. Lakes are found in different landscapes like hilly areas, plains, plateaus, rift areas etc.
types of lakes
Lakes are permanent or temporary reservoirs of water that form as a result of a variety of geological and environmental processes. Types of lakes can be classified based on their origin, formation, and location. Here are some major types of lakes:
- Natural Lakes: These lakes are formed by natural geologic processes, such as glacier activity, volcanic activity, tectonic activity, or subsidence. Natural lakes include a variety of water bodies, such as crater lakes, glacier lakes, and tectonic lakes.
- Man-Made Lakes: These lakes form as a result of human activities, such as the construction of dams, reservoirs, or mining. Man-made lakes are often used for irrigation, water storage, and power generation.
- Glacier Lakes: These lakes are formed due to glacier activity. When glaciers melt, they can form lakes. For example, there are many glacier lakes in the Himalayan region.
- Crater Lakes: These lakes are formed due to volcanic activity, when water collects in craters formed after a volcanic eruption. Some crater lakes are extremely beautiful and deep.
- Tectonic Lakes: These lakes are formed due to the movement of tectonic plates when cracks and faults occur in the ground. Tectonic lakes can be very deep and long.
- Saltwater Lakes: These lakes are filled with salt water and are separated from the sea. These lakes contain high concentrations of salt. Chilka Lake and Sambhar Lake are examples of this.
- Freshwater Lakes: These lakes are full of fresh water and are safe to drink. These lakes are often important for drinking water supply, irrigation, and the environment.
List of important lakes of India
India has many important lakes, which fall into the categories of natural, man-made, brackish water, and freshwater. These lakes are spread over different parts of the country and have environmental, cultural, and economic importance. Here is a list of some of the major lakes in India:
Important lakes of India | |
State | Lake |
Jammu and Kashmir | Wular, Dal, Gadsar, Anantnag, Berinag, Sheshnag, Kausarnag, Nagin, Pogongchho, Si-Moriri, Gangabal and Manasbal. |
Himachal Pradesh | Bhrigu, Machhiyal, Renuka, Surajtal, Chandratal |
Uttarakhand | Nainital, Dodital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Devtal, Khurpatal, Raksatal and Malatal. |
Chandigarh | Sukhna Lake |
Rajasthan | Rajsamand, Jaisamand, Nakki, Sambhar, Fatehsagar, Lunkarssar, Didwana, Pichola, Anasagar, Kuchaman, Dhebar and Pushkar. |
Maharashtra | Lonar and Powai |
Karnataka | Bellandur |
Kerala | Bembanad and Ashtamudi |
Sikkim | songma |
Manipur | Loktak |
Orissa | Chilka |
Telangana | Hussain Sagar and Nagarjun Sagar |
Andhra Pradesh | Kolleru and Pulicat |
Tamil Nadu | Kodaikanal and Kaliveli |
Haryana | Surajkund |
State wise list of important lakes of India
There are many important lakes in different states of India, which are known for their natural beauty, environmental importance, and cultural attraction. These lakes are used for tourism, water supply, irrigation, and other purposes. Here is the list of major lakes located in the states of India:
State wise important lakes of India | ||
State | Lake Of Name | District |
andhra State | Pulicat Lake | Sullurpeta |
kolleru Lake | vijayawada | |
Assam | Haflong Lake | Silchar |
Deeporbil | Kamrup | |
gold beel | Karimganj | |
Chandubi Lake | Kamrup | |
Bihar | Kanwar Lake | Begusarai |
Gujarat | Hamirsar Lake | Raw |
Kankaria Lake | Ahmedabad | |
Narayan the lake | Raw | |
thol Lake | Mehsana | |
Vastrapur Lake | Ahmedabad | |
Haryana | Badkhal Lake | Faridabad |
Blue bird lake | Hisar | |
Brahma the lake | Thaneshwari | |
Damdama Lake | Sohna | |
Ear Lake | Karnal | |
tilyar Lake | Rohtak | |
Himachal State | Chandra rythm | Lahaul And Spiti |
Sun rythm | Lahaul And Spiti | |
Maharana Pratapsagar | Kangra | |
Parashar Lake | Market | |
Jammu And Kashmir | dull Lake | Srinagar |
Wooler Lake | Bandipura | |
Ladakh | tso Moriri | Ladakh |
Pangong tso | Ladakh | |
Karnataka | Agara Lake | Bangalore |
Bellandur Lake | Bangalore | |
Karanji Lake | Mysore | |
Ulsoor Lake | Bangalore | |
Cookerhalli Lake | Mysore | |
honamana | Kodagu | |
Pampa the lake | Hampi | |
Kerala | Ashtamudi Kayali | Kollam |
Vembanad | , | |
shastamkotta | Kollam | |
Middle State | banquet hall | Bhopal |
Maharashtra | Salim Ali | Aurangabad |
Sivasagar | Satara | |
Lonar Lake | to raise | |
Manipur | Loktak Lake | , |
Meghalaya | Umiam | Shillong |
Mizoram | Darkness Heart | satual |
Orissa | Chilka Lake | Puri |
kanjiya Lake | Bhubaneswar | |
Punjab | Harike | Firozpur |
Ropar | Roopnagar | |
Kanjali | Kapurthala | |
Rajasthan | sambar Lake | sambar lake town |
Rajsamand | Rajsamand | |
Sikkim | tsomgo Lake | Eastern Sikkim |
Khecheopluri | West Sikkim | |
Tamil Nadu | ooty Lake | Eucalyptus |
Chembarambakkam | Chennai | |
Telangana | Hussain Sea | Hyderabad |
bhadrakali Lake | warangal | |
Nagarjuna Sea | Nalgonda | |
Answer State | Govind Ballabh pant Sea | Sonbhadra |
Belasagar | Kulpahar | |
Uttarakhand | Bhimtal | Nainital |
West Bengal | Eastern Calcutta wetland | Calcutta |
List of 10 largest lakes of India
There are many lakes in India, which are known for their size and importance. Here is a list of the 10 largest lakes in India, ranked by their area and importance:
10 largest lakes of India | |
name of the lake | covered area |
Vembanad Lake | 2033 km² |
Chilka Lake | 1100 km² |
Shivaji Sagar Lake | 891.7 km² |
Pangong Lake | 700 km² |
Indira Sagar Lake | 627 km² |
Pulicat Lake | 450 km² |
Sardar Sarovar Lake | 375 km² |
Loktak Lake | 287 km² |
Nagarjuna Sagar Lake | 285 km² |
Wular Lake | 260 km² |
India's largest artificial lakes
Candidates can know about the largest artificial lakes of India from the table given below:-
India's largest artificial lakes | |
name of the lake | Description |
Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir | Created by the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Krishna River, it is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. |
Indira Sagar Reservoir | Formed by the Indira Sagar Dam on the Narmada River, it is India's largest reservoir by volume. |
Gobind Sagar | Formed by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River, it is one of the largest reservoirs in India. |
Hirakud Reservoir | Built by the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River, it is one of the longest dams in the world. |
Rihand Reservoir | Created by the Rihand Dam on the Rihand River, it is one of the largest artificial lakes in India. |
Krishna Raja Sagar | Also known as KRS Dam, it is built on the Kaveri River and forms a large reservoir. |
Mettur Reservoir | Built by the Mettur Dam on the Kaveri River, it is one of the largest dams in India. |
Upper Kolab Reservoir | Constructed by the Upper Kolab Dam, it is one of the important dams in the state of Odisha. |
Neyveli Lignite Corporation | These are a series of artificial lakes created as a result of lignite mining in Tamil Nadu. |
Importance of lakes in India
Lakes are of utmost importance in India, as they play an important role from environmental, social, cultural, and economic points of view. Here are some of the major aspects of the importance of lakes in India:
- water resources: Lakes are important sources of fresh and salt water. They are used for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation, making them important in the management of water resources.
- Environment and Ecology: The lakes are home to a variety of wildlife and plants. They help maintain ecological balance and encourage biodiversity. Lakes are important habitats for birds, fish, and other wildlife.
- Tourism and Entertainment: Lakes are a center of attraction for tourists. The picturesque landscape and water sports located on their banks attract people. Many lakes are known for houseboats, shikara boats, and other recreational activities, which promote tourism.
- Cultural and Religious Importance: Some lakes of India are important from cultural and religious point of view. Lakes like Pushkar Lake and Naini Lake are part of religious pilgrimages. Religious and cultural programs are organized near these lakes.
- Flood Control and Water Management: Lakes help with flood control, as they can store excess water. They also help in water management and groundwater recharge, thereby contributing to water conservation.
- Social and Community Benefits: Lakes provide social and economic benefits for local communities. They are used for fishing, agriculture, and other economic activities, thereby boosting the local economy.
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