🌊

Lakes of India and the World Overview

Sep 3, 2024

Lakes in India and the World Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Date: Today's lecture
  • Topics Covered: Recent exam questions related to lakes in India and the world.
  • Total Questions Discussed: Approximately 40 questions.

Lakes in India

General Overview

  • Division of Lakes: India’s lakes discussed in two parts: Lakes in India & Lakes in the World.
  • Focus Areas: Majority of questions (80-90%) are from Indian lakes.

Important Lakes in India

  1. Wular Lake

    • Type: Largest freshwater lake in India.
    • Source: Fed by the Jhelum River.
    • Note: Formed due to tectonic activity.
  2. Dal Lake

    • Location: Srinagar, known as the "Jewel of Srinagar".
    • Significance: Important for tourism and local culture.
  3. Anchar Lake and Ansar Lake

    • Note: Both are lesser-known lakes but important for the local ecosystem.
  4. Lakes in Ladakh

    • Pangong Lake and So Moriri
    • Characteristics: Saltwater lakes, Ramsar sites.
    • Notable Fact: Pangong Lake is famous for its stunning views and clear waters.
  5. Uttarakhand Lakes

    • Roopkund: Known as the "Mystery Lake" due to skeleton discoveries.
    • Bhimtal: Noted for its beauty, significant in local folklore.
    • Tehri Dam: Example of a reservoir lake formed for hydropower.
  6. Himachal Pradesh Lakes

    • Chandratal Lake: Ramsar site.
    • Maharana Pratap Sagar: Largest artificial lake in India.
  7. Rajasthan Lakes

    • Sambhar Lake: Largest inland saltwater lake in India.
    • Pichola Lake: Important for tourism in Udaipur.
  8. Madhya Pradesh Lakes

    • Bhoj Tal: Significant for local water supply.
    • Indira Sagar and Gandhi Sagar: Important dams/reservoirs.
  9. Kerala Lakes

    • Ashtamudi Lake: Known for its backwaters.
    • Vembanad Lake: Largest lake in Kerala, significant for tourism.
  10. Assam Lakes

    • Deepor Beel: Ramsar site, important for biodiversity.

Lakes in the World

Overview

  • Focus: Key lakes globally and their significance.
  1. Caspian Sea

    • Type: Largest lake in the world (by area).
    • Note: Surrounded by land, former sea connection.
  2. Lake Baikal

    • Type: Deepest freshwater lake in the world, located in Siberia.
    • Notable Fact: Unique biodiversity, home to the Baikal seal.
  3. Great Lakes of North America

    • Key Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario.
    • Note: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area.
  4. Lake Titicaca

    • Location: Bolivia and Peru, highest navigable lake.
    • Significance: Important for indigenous cultures.
  5. Lake Victoria

    • Location: Bordering Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
    • Significance: Source of the White Nile.
  6. Chilka Lake

    • Type: Largest brackish water lake in Asia.
    • Note: Important for biodiversity and fisheries.

Conclusion

  • Key Takeaways: Importance of lakes for ecosystems, culture, and geography. Understanding lakes significantly aids in preparation for exams.
  • Next Steps: Review notes and focus on Ramsar sites and significant lakes for possible exam questions.