Important Lakes in India
India boasts a diverse range of lakes, from the expansive and magnificent Dal Lake in Kashmir to the tranquil Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan. These lakes hold significant importance for millions of Indians, serving as sources of drinking water, irrigation, and transportation. They are also popular tourist attractions, offering breathtaking views and various recreational opportunities.
Significance for UPSC IAS Examination
The topic of “Important Lakes in India” is crucial for the UPSC IAS Examination, particularly within General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims), specifically in the Geography section.
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Overview of Lakes in India
This article will explore the classification of lakes, highlight the top 10 largest lakes in India, and discuss several other noteworthy lakes, along with their locations and sizes.
Types of Lakes in India
Lakes in India can be classified into the following categories:
- Freshwater Lakes
- Saltwater Lakes
- Natural Lakes
- Artificial Lakes
- Crater Lakes
- Oxbow Lakes
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List Of Top 15 Largest Lakes Of India
The top 15 largest lakes in India, along with their location, are listed.
| Lake Name | Situated at |
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala |
| Chilika Lake | Odisha |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh |
| Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh/TN |
| Wular Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Dal Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Lake | Telangana/Andhra Pradesh |
| Bhimtal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Pichola Lake | Rajasthan |
| Pushkar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Upper Lake (Bada Talaab) | Madhya Pradesh |
| Renuka Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
| Nainital Lake | Uttarakhand |
State-wise List of Lakes in India
Some of the other important lakes in India are listed below:
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| Lake | Location | Type |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Natural Freshwater |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | Saline |
| Dhebar Lake | Rajasthan | Artificial Freshwater |
| Pushkar Lake | Rajasthan | Artificial Freshwater |
| Pichola Lake | Rajasthan | Artificial Freshwater |
| Rangsagar Lake | Rajasthan | Artificial Lake |
| Gobind Sagar Lake | Himachal Pradesh | Freshwater |
| Gobind Ballabh Pant Sagar (Largest Artificial Lake in India) | Sonebhadra district, Uttar Pradesh | Artificial Lake |
| Kanwar Lake | Bihar | Natural Freshwater |
| Ashtamudi Lake | Kerala | Freshwater |
| Paravur Lake | Kerala | Freshwater |
| Sasthamkotta Lake | Kerala | Freshwater |
| Bhojtal Lake | Madhya Pradesh | Artificial Freshwater |
| Veeranam Lake | Tamil Nadu | Artificial Freshwater |
| Chembarambakkam Lake | Tamil Nadu | Artificial lake |
| Vaitarna Lake | Maharashtra | Artificial Freshwater |
| Lonar Lake | Maharashtra | Freshwater |
| Vihar Lake | Maharashtra | Natural Freshwater |
| Dal Lake | Jammu and Kashmir | Natural Freshwater |
| Dipor Bil Lake | Assam | Natural Freshwater |
| Hussain Sagar | Telangana | Artificial lake |
| Shamirpet Lake | Telangana | Artificial lake |
| Sukhna lake | Chandigarh | Artificial Freshwater |
| Tsomgo Lake | Sikkim | Freshwater (Glacial) Lake |
| Nainital Lake | Uttrakhand | Natural Freshwater |
| Bhimtal Lake | Uttrakhand | Natural Freshwater |
| Dodital | Uttrakhand | Freshwater Lake |
| Senchal Lake | West Bengal | Artificial Lake |
| Belasagar Lake | Uttar Pradesh | Artificial lake |
| Kanjia Lake | Odisha | Natural Lake |
| Kanjli Wetland | Punjab | Freshwater Lake |
List of Major Lakes in Indian Union Territories
The largest lakes in Indian Union Territories have been listed below:
| Lake Name | Union Territory |
| Anchar Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Mansar Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Dal Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Wular Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Bharatpur Lake | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Lakes | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Chilika Lake | Puducherry |
| Ousteri Lake | Puducherry |
Fascinating Facts About Lakes in India
Here are some key highlights regarding lakes in India:
– India boasts over 15,000 lakes, with approximately 100 of them classified as large.
– The largest lake in India is Wular Lake, situated in Jammu and Kashmir, covering around 137 square kilometers.
– Sursagar Lake in Gujarat is the smallest lake in India, with a surface area of just 0.02 square kilometers.
– Loktak Lake in Manipur holds the title for the deepest lake in India, reaching a maximum depth of about 10 meters.
– Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is the most saline lake in India, exhibiting a salinity level of approximately 250 parts per thousand.
– Govind Sagar Dam in Himachal Pradesh is the most significant lake for irrigation, serving an area of about 1.2 million hectares.
– Pong Dam, also in Himachal Pradesh, is crucial for hydroelectric power generation, producing around 1200 megawatts of electricity.
– Dal Lake in Kashmir is the most notable lake for recreation, attracting tourists with its iconic houseboats and floating gardens.