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Question

Which one of the following is the largest fresh water lake in India?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2019 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (03-Feb-2019)
The correct answer is

Wular

Identifying the largest freshwater lake in India requires comparing the sizes and types of various significant lakes across the country. Freshwater lakes are crucial sources of water and support diverse ecosystems.

Largest Freshwater Lake in India Explained

The question asks which among the given options is the largest freshwater lake in India. Let's examine each option:

Chilika Lake Analysis

Chilika Lake is located in Odisha and is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world. However, it is a brackish water lake, not a freshwater lake. Brackish water is a mix of fresh and saltwater.

Loktak Lake Analysis

Loktak Lake is located in Manipur. It is famous for the floating phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter) on its surface, including Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world. Loktak is a significant freshwater lake in India, but it is not the largest by area.

Dal Lake Analysis

Dal Lake is situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is a beautiful and very popular freshwater lake, often called the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel". While culturally and environmentally important, its area is significantly smaller than the largest freshwater lake in India.

Wular Lake Analysis

Wular Lake is also located in Jammu and Kashmir, in the Bandipora district. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. Formed as a result of tectonic activity, it is the largest freshwater lake in India. Its size varies seasonally but is substantially larger than the other freshwater lakes listed.

Comparing Freshwater Lakes by Size

Based on area, Wular Lake is significantly larger than both Loktak Lake and Dal Lake. Chilika Lake, while large, is not a freshwater lake.

Lake Name Location Type of Water Significance (Size Context)
Chilika Odisha Brackish Largest coastal lagoon in India
Loktak Manipur Freshwater Known for phumdis; significant but not largest freshwater lake
Dal Jammu & Kashmir Freshwater Important for tourism; smaller than Wular
Wular Jammu & Kashmir Freshwater Largest freshwater lake in India

Conclusion: Identifying the Largest Freshwater Lake

Comparing the characteristics and sizes of the lakes mentioned, Wular Lake stands out as the largest freshwater lake in India among the given options and overall.

Therefore, the correct answer is Wular.

Revision Table: Key Facts on Indian Lakes

Lake Location Key Feature Type
Wular Jammu & Kashmir Largest Freshwater Lake in India Freshwater
Dal Jammu & Kashmir Urban Lake, Houseboats Freshwater
Loktak Manipur Floating Phumdis, Keibul Lamjao National Park Freshwater
Chilika Odisha Largest Coastal Lagoon in India Brackish
Vembanad Kerala Longest Lake in India Brackish/Freshwater (depending on location/season)
Sambhar Rajasthan Largest Inland Saltwater Lake in India Saline

Additional Information on Indian Lakes

Lakes in India serve various purposes, including irrigation, drinking water, transportation, tourism, and supporting biodiversity. They are formed through different geological processes, such as tectonic activity (like Wular), volcanic activity, glacial erosion, or river action (oxbow lakes). The type of water (freshwater, brackish, saline) depends on factors like proximity to the coast and sources of water inflow. Understanding the types and locations of prominent lakes is important for geography and environmental studies.

  • Freshwater Lakes: Typically fed by rivers and rainfall, found inland. Examples: Wular, Dal, Loktak.
  • Brackish Lakes: Mix of fresh and saltwater, often found near coastlines where rivers meet the sea. Examples: Chilika, Pulicat.
  • Saline Lakes: High concentration of salts, often found in arid or semi-arid regions with high evaporation and no outlet. Examples: Sambhar.
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