Major Lakes of India

India is home to a wide variety of significant lakes that add to the nation's ecological importance and natural beauty. These lakes, which range in size from the massive Vembanad Lake in Kerala to the high Pangong Tso in Ladakh, are significant in terms of culture, the environment, and the economy. Every lake, whether it be the serene Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir or the busy Loktak Lake in Manipur, has its own distinctive traits and draws tourists from all over the world.

Features of Major Lakes of India

Here are the descriptions of major lakes of the India −

Wular Lake

One of South Asia's largest freshwater lakes is called Wular Lake in Kashmiri. It is situated in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, close to the town of Bandipora. The Jhelum River, as well as the streams Madhumati and Arin, feed the lake basin, which was created as a result of tectonic action. The lake's area ranges from 30 to 189 square kilometres depending on the season. One of the 75 Indian wetlands recognized as Ramsar sites is the lake.

Loktak Lake

A freshwater lake in Northeast India is called Loktak Lake. It is South Asia's largest freshwater lake. During the wet season, the lake's surface area ranges from 250 square kilometres to 500 square kilometres, with a mean area of 287 square kilometres. The lake is situated in the Indian state of Manipur at Moirang. Every year on October 15th, people gather around Loktak Lake to celebrate Loktak Day.

Vembanad Lake

The largest lake in the state of Kerala is Vembanad, which is also the longest lake in all of India. The lake's longest length is 96.5 km, and its surface area is 230 km2. Other names for Vembanad Lake in other states include Punnamada Lake, Kochi Lake, and Vembanadu Lake. The longest lake in the nation is the Vembanad Lake, which is 96.5 kilometres long. Numerous resorts are located on its banks, and Vembanad Lake, which is plied by hundreds of houseboats (kettuvallams in Malayalam), is in the centre of Kerala Backwaters tourism. On the lake's east shore is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

Dal Lake

In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India, there is a lake called Dal. It is an urban lake, the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the destination that both visitors and locals go to the most in Srinagar. It is referred to variably as the "Lake of Flowers," "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir," or "Srinagar's Jewel" and is essential to tourism and relaxation in the Kashmir valley. The lake is a crucial location for commercial fishing and water plant harvesting operations. 18 square kilometres are taken up by the lake.

Pulicat Lake

The second-largest lagoon of brackish water in India is called Pulicat Lake. The lagoon is one of three significant wetlands that draws rain clouds from the northeast monsoon during the months of October to December. The lagoon is made up of the following regions: Venadu Reserve Forest, Pernadu Reserve Forest, Marshy/Wetland Land Region, and Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu). The Sriharikota Link Road went through the lagoon in the centre, dividing it into a lagoon and a marshy area. The Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is enclosed by the lagoon.

Ashtamudi Lake

Ashtamudi Lake is located in Kerala, India's Kollam District. Its distinctive wetland habitat and sizable palm-shaped (or octopus-shaped) water body are second in size only to the state's Vembanad estuary ecology. In the regional Malayalam language, Ashtamudi denotes "eight braids." The name reflects the morphology of the lake, which has numerous forks. The lake, which is well renowned for its houseboats and backwater resorts, is also known as the entrance to Kerala's backwaters. The Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands put Ashtamudi Wetland on its list of wetlands of international importance.

Kolleru Lake

With a lake area of 245 km2 and a total of 302 km2 of Ramsar-designated wetland, Kolleru Lake is one of India's largest freshwater lakes and forms the largest shallow freshwater lake in Asia. It is situated between the Krishna and Godavari deltas, 15 km from Eluru and 65 km from Rajamahendravaram. Eluru district contains Kolleru Lake. In addition to being connected to the Krishna and Godavari irrigation systems, the lake receives direct water supply from the cyclical Budameru and Tammileru streams. In accordance with India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the lake was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in November 1999.

Pangong Tso

At a height of 4,225 meters, Pangong Tso, also known as Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and western Tibet. The length of the lake as a whole is split roughly in half between Tibet in China, Ladakh in India, and a 10% disputed area that serves as a de facto buffer between India and China. The lake's widest point is 5 km (3.1 mi) across. It encompasses over 700 km2 in total. Despite having salty water, the lake entirely freezes over throughout the winter. It is believed to have been a part of the Indus River basin in prehistoric times, despite having a landlocked basin that is separated from that basin by a short-elevated ridge.

Upper Lake/Bhojtal

Large lake Bhojtal, formerly known as Upper Lake, is located on the western side of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a significant supply of drinking water for the city's inhabitants, providing over 30 million imperial gallons of water daily to almost 40% of the population. Bhoj Wetland, which is now a Ramsar site, is made up of Bada Talaab and the neighbouring Chhota Talaab, both of which translate to "small lake" in Hindi. Bhojtal is located in the western portion of Bhopal City and is bordered to the south by the Van Vihar National Park, to the east and north by populated areas, and to the west by agricultural fields.

Hussain Sagar

Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah constructed the heart-shaped lake known as Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad, Telangana, in 1563. It covers 5.7 square kilometres and is nourished by the River Musi. On Gibraltar Rock in the centre of the lake is a huge monolithic statue of the Gautama Buddha that was built in 1992. Additionally, it divides Secunderabad, a neighbourhood of Hyderabad, from the city core. The lake has a maximum depth of 32 feet. Hussain Shah Wali, the Kingdom's Master of Architecture, had the lake named after him.

List of Major Lakes of India

The following table illustrates the major lakes of the India −

Lake	Location	Surface Area (km²)
Wular Lake	Jammu and Kashmir	189
Loktak Lake	Manipur	287
Vembanad Lake	Kerala	2,033
Dal Lake	Jammu and Kashmir	22
Pulicat Lake	Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu	450
Ashtamudi Lake	Kerala	61.42
Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh	245
Pangong Tso	Ladakh	699.3
Upper Lake	Madhya Pradesh	31
Hussain Sagar	Telangana	4.4

Conclusion

India's largest lakes, including Wular Lake, Loktak Lake, Vembanad Lake, and others, are incredible natural wonders that support the nation's diverse ecosystems and rich cultural legacy. In addition to offering stunning scenery, these lakes also support a variety of ecosystems, act as significant water sources, and provide recreational opportunities.

They are essential to maintaining local economies, luring visitors, and protecting India's natural heritage. For these lakes to maintain their biological significance and for the benefit of the surrounding areas, conservation and preservation are imperative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the largest lake in India?

Vembanad Lake in Kerala is the largest lake in India, spanning an area of 2,033 square kilometers.

Which lake is known as the "Lake of Flowers"?

Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is often referred to as the "Lake of Flowers" due to its picturesque surroundings and vibrant floating gardens.

Where is Pangong Tso located?

Pangong Tso, also known as Pangong Lake, is situated in Ladakh, a region in the northernmost part of India.

What is the significance of Loktak Lake?

Loktak Lake in Manipur is not only the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India but also plays a crucial role in the socio-economic life of the local communities.

Which lake serves as a Ramsar site?

Wular Lake, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is recognized as one of the Ramsar sites in India due to its ecological importance as a wetland habitat.