Important Lakes of India – Geography Notes PDF in English & Hindi for UPSC & Other Competitive Exams
Important Lakes of India: India is blessed with a variety of natural landscapes, and it boasts numerous lakes that add to its scenic beauty and ecological diversity. These lakes serve various purposes, including supporting aquatic life, irrigation, tourism, and recreation.
Here is a list of some of the important lakes in India:
- Vembanad: Also known as Vembanadu, Vembanadu Kol, Punnamada Lake, or Kochi Lake, it is the longest lake in India and the largest in the state of Kerala. It is situated in the backwaters of Kerala and supports a unique ecosystem.
- Wular Lake: Located in Jammu and Kashmir, Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. It plays a crucial role in flood control and supports various species of fish.
- Chilika Lake: Situated on the eastern coast of India in the state of Odisha, Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second-largest in the world. It is a crucial habitat for migratory birds and is a Ramsar Wetland.
- Dal Lake: Located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, Dal Lake is known for its picturesque houseboats and shikara rides. It is often referred to as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir.”
- Loktak Lake: It is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and is known for the floating phumdis (masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter). Loktak Lake is located in Manipur.
- Lonar Lake: This unique and ancient lake is situated in the state of Maharashtra and is famous for its distinctive green color. It was created by a meteorite impact.
- Pangong Tso: This high-altitude lake is situated in the Union Territory of Ladakh and extends into Tibet. It is known for its changing colors and is a popular tourist destination.
- Manasbal Lake: Located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Manasbal Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in the region and is known for its serene surroundings.
- Pulicat Lake: It is the second-largest lagoon in India and spans the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is a vital habitat for migratory birds and a protected bird sanctuary.
- Bhimtal: Situated in Uttarakhand, Bhimtal is a picturesque lake named after the legendary Bhima from the Indian epic Mahabharata.
- Pookode Lake: This freshwater lake is located in Kerala and is surrounded by lush greenery. It is a popular destination for boating and picnics.
- Gurudongmar Lake: It is one of the highest lakes in the world and is located in North Sikkim, close to the Indo-China border. The lake is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Sikhs.
- Hussain Sagar: Located in Hyderabad, Telangana, Hussain Sagar is an artificial lake built during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. A large monolithic statue of Lord Buddha is installed in the middle of the lake.
- Sambhar Lake: It is the largest inland saltwater lake in India, situated in the state of Rajasthan. The lake is known for salt production and supports a unique ecosystem.
- Shambhavi Lake: Located in Karnataka, this lake is a serene and scenic spot known for its beauty and tranquility.
Top 10 largest Lakes in India
The list of largest lakes in India is mentioned in the table below:
List of largest Lakes(Decreasing order of area covered) | State/UT |
Vembanad Lake | Kerala |
Chilika Lake | Odisha |
Shivaji Sagar Lake | Maharashtra |
Indira Sagar lake | Madhya Pradesh |
Pangong Lake | Ladakh |
Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh |
Sardar Sarovar Lake | Gujarat |
Nagarjuna Sagar Lake | Telangana |
Loktak Lake | Manipur |
Wular lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
Important Lakes of India
Lakes in India | State/UT |
Pulicat lake | Andhra Pradesh |
Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh |
Haflong Lake | Assam |
Deepor Beel | Assam |
Chandubi Lake | Assam |
Kanwar lake | Bihar |
Hamirsar Lake | Gujarat |
Kankaria Lake | Gujarat |
Badkhal Lake | Haryana |
Brahma Sarovar | Haryana |
Chandra Taal | Himachal Pradesh |
MaharanaPratap Sagar | Himachal Pradesh |
Dal Lake | Jammu Kashmir |
Wular Lake | Jammu Kashmir |
Agara Lake | Karnataka |
Ulsoor Lake | Karnataka |
Kuttanad Lake | Kerala |
Sasthamkotta | Kerala |
Bhojtal | Madhya Pradesh |
Shivsagar | Maharashtra |
Loktak lake | Manipur |
Umiam Lake | Meghalaya |
Tam Dil | Mizoram |
Chilika Lake | Odisha |
Harike | Punjab |
Kanjli | Punjab |
Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan |
Tsomgo Lake | Sikkim |
Chembarambakkam | Tamil Nadu |
Hussain Sagar | Telangana |
Govind Bhallabh Pant Sagar | Uttar Pradesh |
Belasagar | Uttar Pradesh |
Bhimtal | Uttarakhand |
Kaliveli | Tamil Nadu |
Download Important Lakes of India Notes PDF in Hindi
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By Team Learning Mantras