Indian geography is diverse!
So, are the water bodies in different regions.
The different types of Lakes found in India creates a unique story behind each aqua.
Lakes are surrounded by land terrains. Rivers are source, inlet or outlet of lakes which strive to join the sea together as a mainstream.
In India, the following types are found with the distinguishing factor of surrounding terrain – plateau, mountains, glaciers, desert with a close view of the specific Indian Lake stories that make them unique and important :
Natural Lakes
Natural Lakes are the waters naturally formed from glaciation mostly formed and flown from rift and mountainous regions to land. Natural Lakes are found in the forms of :
- Freshwater Lakes
The unsalted Lake, freshly found and formed by a river, stream as surface runoff surrounded by land.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Wular Lake | Jammu and Kashmir | India’s Largest Freshwater Lake |
| Chandra Taal | Himachal Pradesh | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Suraj Tal | Himachal Pradesh | Third highest Lake of India and 21st Highest Lake in the world High Altitude Lake, inflow of Bhaga River |
| Maharana Pratap Sagar | Himachal Pradesh | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Blue Bird Lake | Haryana | Habitat for Migratory birds |
| Brahma Sarovar | Haryana | Ancient and spiritual Lake |
| Karnal | Haryana | Routed to Epic Mahabharatha |
| Tilyar | Haryana | Canal inflow, Located inside Tilyar Zoo |
| Harike | Punjab | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Kanjli | Punjab | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Belasagar | Uttar Pradesh | Lake used for irrigation purposes |
| Bhimtal | Uttarakhand | Lake of Medium Altitude |
| Rajsamand | Rajasthan | Vast Catchment Area |
| Vastrapur | Gujarat | A part of Narmada River |
| Cholamo (Tso Lhamo Lake ) | Sikkim (East) | Lake of Highest Altitude Lake in India |
| Khecheoplari | Sikkim (West) | Sacred Lake for Hindus and Bhuddhists. |
| Son Beel | Assam | Largest Tectonically formed Wetland in the state |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | Under Ramsar Convention |
| Haflong Lake | Assam | One of the highest Altitude Lakes |
| Umiam | Meghalaya | Famous for cycling and boating |
| Tam Dil | Mizoram | Story of uprooted mustard plant hole becoming a lake known at Lake of Mustard. |
| Kanjiya Lake | Orissa | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Salim Ali | Maharashtra | Bird Watching Site |
| Shivsagar | Maharashtra | Koyna Dam oulet |
| Pampa Sarovar | Karnataka | Outlet of Tungabhadra River |
| Honnamana | Karnataka | Holy Lake visited during festive seasons |
| Agara | Karnataka | Migratory Birds habitat of southeastern Bengaluru |
| Bellandur | Karnataka | Landing strip turned Lake, largest in the city of Bengaluru. |
| Karanji | Karnataka | Surrounded by Butterfly park |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Home to Migratory Birds. |
| Shashtamkotta | Kerala | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Panchadikulam | Tamil Nadu | Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
- Salt Water Lakes
The Lakes high on salinity (at least 3 grams per litre) with higher salt concentration and dissolved mineral contents.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Chilika Laka | Orissa | Largest Saltwater Lake in India |
| Pangong Tso | Jammu and Kashmir | Endorheic Lake (That do not flow into the sea) bordering Indo-China |
| Tso Moriri | Jammu and Kashmir | High Altitude Saltwater Lake |
| Ulsoor Lake | Karnataka | SaltWater Lake that is stale in nature |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | Largest Inland lake and Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
- Brackish Lakes
A blend of freshwater and salt water Lakes low in salinity.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Pulicat Lake | Andhra Pradesh | A part of Pulicat Bird Sanctuary |
| Ashtamudi Kayal | Kerala | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Vembanad | Kerala | Longest Lake of India and Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance, Famous for Boat Race |
| East Calcutta Wetlands | West Bengal | Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
- Oxbow Lakes
Longer Lake course in a curvy flow, formed when the river finds a shorter route.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Kanwar Lake | Bihar | Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow Lake |
| Vyanthala Lake | Kerala | South India’s naturally formed Oxbow Lake, inlet of Chalakudy River |
- Crater Lakes
Lake born in eruptive regions, mostly volcanic.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Lonar Lake | Maharashtra | National Geographical Heritage (that turned pink in 2020 named Soda Lake since then) |
| Chandubi Lake | Assam | Formed by 1897 earthquake |
- Lentic Lakes
Seasonal Standing Pool of Lake waters.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Thol Lake | Gujarat | Irrigation Purposive Lake |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | Floating Island waters, Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
- Artificial Lakes
Man-made Lakes that act as water reservoirs for public use and consumption.
| Name | State | Uniqueness |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar | Uttar Pradesh | Largest Artificial Lake in India |
| Hussain Sagar | Telangana | Rock Island Waters |
| Badrakali Lake | Telangana | Artificial Freshwaters |
| Ooty Lake | Tamil Nadu | Famous for kayaking, boating |
| Chembarambakkam Lake | Tamil Nadu | Large reservoir for state public water supply |
| Rupar | Punjab | Man-made riverine Lake |
| Bhojtal | Madhya Pradesh | One of the largest Artificial Lake in India and Site of Ramsar, Wetland of National Importance |
| Damdama Lake | Haryana | Dam built during Colonial era by Britishers for rainwater harvesting |
| Hamirsar Lake | Gujarat | Situated in Bhuj town’s centre |
| Kankaria Lake | Gujarat | Ancient Lake of 14th century creation by Muhmmmad Shah II |
| Narayan Sarovar | Gujarat | Site for Hindu Pilgrims |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Andhra Pradesh | Constructed along Krishna River |
Lakes in diversity and Lake biodiversity embodies the beauty and strength of a nation.
Let’s commit to do our part to conserve the diverse and beautiful aqua by understanding their importance and geography for the country’s richness of Unity In Diversity.
Lakes of India 