India is a country that boasts of diverse landscapes, and its freshwater lakes are a testament to this diversity. From the towering Himalayas to the tropical forests of the south, India is home to numerous freshwater lakes that are unique in their ecosystem and characteristics.
Check out all the information about the freshwater lakes in India here!
List of Freshwater lakes in India:
The list of freshwater lakes in India is provided below the table.
| Lake Name | State |
|---|---|
| Sardar Sarovar Lake | Gujarat |
| Pong Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
| Suraj Tal Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
| Chilika Lake | Odisha |
| Wular Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Dal Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Tsomgo Lake | Sikkim |
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala |
| Vellayani Lake | Kerala |
| Ashtamudi Lake | Kerala |
| Sasthamkotta Lake | Kerala |
| Manasbal Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur |
| Bhojtal Lake | Madhya Pradesh |
| Shivpuri Lake | Madhya Pradesh |
| Upper Lake (Bhopal) | Madhya Pradesh |
| Lower Lake (Bhopal) | Madhya Pradesh |
| Pookode Lake | Kerala |
| Pathiramanal Lake | Kerala |
| Hussain Sagar Lake | Telangana |
| Osman Sagar Lake | Telangana |
| Himayat Sagar Lake | Telangana |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh |
| Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu |
| Berijam Lake | Tamil Nadu |
| Kodaikanal Lake | Tamil Nadu |
| Ooty Lake | Tamil Nadu |
| Emerald Lake | Tamil Nadu |
| Pykara Lake | Tamil Nadu |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Pushkar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Fatehsagar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Jaisamand Lake | Rajasthan |
| Rajsamand Lake | Rajasthan |
| Pichola Lake | Rajasthan |
| Nakki Lake | Rajasthan |
| Kaylana Lake | Rajasthan |
| Mansagar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Ana Sagar Lake | Rajasthan |
| Bhimtal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Nainital Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Sariyatal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Khurpatal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Sattal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Deoria Tal Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Dodital Lake | Uttarakhand |
| Chandratal Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
| Tso Moriri Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Pangong Tso Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Shey Phoksundo Lake | Nepal border |
| Dal Lake (Bandipora) | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Mansar Lake | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Sangetser Lake | Ladakh |
| Chandra Taal Lake | Himachal Pradesh |
The biggest freshwater lake in India:
The biggest freshwater lake in India is Wular Lake, which is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Wular Lake covers an area of around 260 square kilometres and has a maximum depth of approximately 12 meters. It is fed by several tributaries of the Jhelum River and is an important source of fish for the local population. The lake also serves as a critical habitat for migratory birds and supports a variety of plant and animal life.
Significance of freshwater lakes in India:
Here are some of the significant roles freshwater lakes play in India, listed in a tabular form:
| Role | Significance |
|---|---|
| Water storage | Freshwater lakes act as natural reservoirs, storing water during the monsoon season and releasing it slowly during the dry season. This helps to maintain a steady supply of water for irrigation, drinking, and other uses. |
| Biodiversity | Freshwater lakes support a wide variety of plant and animal life, including fish, birds, insects, and microorganisms. They provide critical habitat for many species and serve as important breeding grounds for fish and other aquatic animals. |
| Economic importance | Freshwater lakes provide important economic benefits to local communities, including fish and other aquatic resources, as well as opportunities for tourism and recreation. |
| Climate regulation | Freshwater lakes help to regulate the local climate by absorbing heat and releasing it slowly, which can help to mitigate the effects of extreme temperatures. |
| Cultural significance | Many freshwater lakes in India are also of cultural and historical significance, with traditional stories and legends associated with them. They also play an important role in festivals and other cultural events. |
Measures to protect freshwater lakes in India:
Here are some measures for the protection of freshwater lakes in India:
- Reduce pollution: Pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste can have harmful impacts on freshwater lakes. Implementing measures to reduce pollution, such as improving wastewater treatment facilities and promoting sustainable farming practices, can help protect these ecosystems.
- Promote sustainable fishing practices: Overfishing can deplete fish populations and disrupt the delicate balance of freshwater ecosystems. Promoting sustainable fishing practices, such as limiting catch sizes and enforcing fishing regulations, can help maintain healthy fish populations.
- Protect habitats: Freshwater lake habitats are crucial to supporting biodiversity. Protecting and restoring these habitats, such as wetlands and riparian zones, can help maintain healthy ecosystems.
- Control invasive species: Invasive species can have a negative impact on freshwater lake ecosystems by outcompeting native species and altering habitats. Implementing measures to control invasive species, such as monitoring and removing them when possible, can help protect these ecosystems.
- Mitigate the effects of climate change: Climate change can have significant impacts on freshwater lakes in India, such as altering water levels and temperatures, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Mitigating the effects of climate change through conservation and restoration efforts can help protect these ecosystems for future generations.
Freshwater lakes in India: FAQs
India is home to thousands of freshwater lakes, ranging in size from small ponds to large reservoirs.
The largest freshwater lake in India is Wular Lake, which is located in Jammu and Kashmir.
Freshwater lakes in India serve as natural reservoirs, support biodiversity, provide economic benefits, help regulate the climate, and are of cultural significance.
To protect freshwater lakes in India, it is important to reduce pollution. For more details, you can check the above article
In the above article, we have provided the information, kindly check!