HOW MANY TYPE OF LAKES IN INDIA
India is home to various types of lakes, each with its unique characteristics and features. Here are some common types of lakes found in India:
HERE ARE SOME TYPE LAKES OF INDIA
1. Glacial Lakes:
Examples: Dal Lake (Jammu and Kashmir), Tsongmo Lake (Sikkim)
Formed by the melting of glaciers, often located in mountainous regions.
2. Tectonic Lakes:
Examples: Chilika Lake (Odisha), Vembanad (Kerala)
Formed due to the movement of tectonic plates, often found in large depressions.
3. Ox-bow Lakes:
Examples: Loktak Lake (Manipur), Kanwar Lake (Bihar)
Formed when a meandering river creates a U-shaped bend, which eventually gets cut off from the main river.
4. Lagoon Lakes:
Examples: Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu), Chilika Lake (Odisha)
Situated along the coastal areas, separated from the sea by sandbars or barrier islands.
5. Crater Lakes:
Examples: Lonar Lake (Maharashtra), Vembanad (Kerala)
Formed in volcanic craters or calderas, often displaying unique geological features.
6. Freshwater Lakes:
Examples: Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir), Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh)
Composed mainly of freshwater, these lakes play a vital role in supporting aquatic ecosystems.
7. Saltwater Lakes:
Examples: Chilika Lake (Odisha), Pulicat Lake (Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu)
Contain a higher concentration of salts, usually due to their connection with the sea.
8. Artificial Reservoirs:
Examples: Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat), Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh)
Created by damming rivers for various purposes such as irrigation, hydroelectric power, and water supply.
9. Endorheic Lakes:
Examples: Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Rann of Kutch (Gujarat)
Closed basin lakes with no outlet, often resulting in high salinity.
10. Himalayan Glacial Lakes:
Examples: Roopkund Lake (Uttarakhand), Hemkund Lake (Uttarakhand)
Located in the Himalayan region, these lakes are often fed by glacial meltwater.
11. Perennial Lakes:
Examples: Vembanad (Kerala), Chilika Lake (Odisha)
Lakes that maintain water throughout the year, providing stability to the local ecosystems.
These diverse types of lakes contribute significantly to India’s biodiversity, water resources, and cultural landscapes. Each lake type serves unique ecological and human-related functions, making them important natural assets.
