Lakes

Introduction

Lakes are one of the most picturesque and ecologically important features of Earth's landscape. Whether formed naturally or created by humans, lakes serve numerous environmental, economic, and cultural purposes. In India, lakes exist across mountains, plains, deserts, and coastal regions. They vary in origin, size, salinity, and utility. Some are sacred, some are recreational hotspots, and others are crucial reservoirs for drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectricity.

Understanding the types, significance, and distribution of lakes helps in better water resource management and environmental planning.

Classification of Lakes

Lakes are generally classified based on their origin and characteristics:

1. Natural Lakes

These are formed due to natural geological or climatic processes:

• Tectonic Lakes
  Formed by tectonic activity (faulting, folding, depression).
  Example: Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir) – largest freshwater lake in India.

• Glacial Lakes
  Formed by glaciers carving out depressions that fill with meltwater.
  Example: Pangong Lake (Ladakh), Roopkund (Uttarakhand)

• Volcanic Lakes
  Created in the crater of extinct volcanoes.
  Example: Lonar Lake (Maharashtra) – formed by a meteorite impact, though often confused with volcanic origin.

• Landslide Lakes
  Created when landslides block river flow and create natural dams.
  Example: Gohna Lake (Uttarakhand)

• Oxbow Lakes
  Formed by river meandering and cutoff loops.
  Common in: Indo-Gangetic plains

• Aeolian Lakes
  Created by wind action in arid regions.
  Example: Samber Salt Lake (Rajasthan)

2. Artificial (Man-made) Lakes

These are reservoirs created by humans for water storage, hydroelectricity, or recreation:

• Examples include:

  • Gobind Sagar Lake (Punjab) – on Sutlej River

  • Hirakud Reservoir (Odisha) – longest earthen dam in the world

  • Nagarjuna Sagar (Telangana-Andhra Pradesh) – on Krishna River

  • Ukai Lake (Gujarat)

Major Lakes of India (Region-wise)

Ecological and Economic Importance of Lakes

• Water Supply: Provide water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.

• Climate Regulation: Moderate local temperatures and influence microclimates.

• Biodiversity Hotspots: Home to migratory birds, aquatic plants, and animals.

• Fisheries: Many lakes support inland fishing livelihoods.

• Tourism and Recreation: Lakes like Dal, Naini, and Bhimtal are popular tourist destinations.

• Religious Significance: Many lakes like Pushkar and Mansarovar are pilgrimage sites.

• Flood Control: Natural lakes help absorb excess rainwater and reduce flood risk.

Threats to Lakes in India

• Pollution: Dumping of industrial waste and sewage leads to eutrophication.

• Encroachment: Urban expansion leads to shrinking lake areas.

• Overexploitation: Excessive water extraction affects lake health.

• Climate Change: Alters rainfall patterns, leading to drying or flooding of lakes.

• Invasive Species: Plants like water hyacinth reduce oxygen levels, harming aquatic life.

Conservation Efforts

• National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP): Launched to restore and conserve polluted and degraded lakes.

• Wetland Rules, 2017: Help regulate activities near water bodies including lakes.

• Urban Lake Restoration Projects: Examples include Hussain Sagar (Hyderabad), Ulsoor Lake (Bengaluru).

• Community Involvement: NGOs and local bodies increasingly participate in lake revival.

Conclusion

Lakes are not just water bodies—they are ecological treasures, lifelines for millions, and guardians of biodiversity. In a rapidly urbanizing and warming world, the health of lakes is a mirror of our environmental responsibility. Protecting them ensures sustainable water security, economic vitality, and environmental stability. A conscious effort in preserving lakes—through policy, community, and education—can transform them into resilient urban and rural resources for generations to come.