Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
a) Chilika Lake
b) Wular Lake
c) Sambhar Lake
d) Vembanad Lake
Answer: b) Wular Lake
Explanation
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Wular Lake: Located in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, Wular Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in India (and one of the largest in Asia).
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Formation: Unlike coastal lagoons or crater lakes, Wular Lake is a tectonic lake, formed by tectonic activity in the Kashmir Valley.
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River Association: It is fed directly by the Jhelum River, which flows into the lake and emerges out of it.
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Surface Area: The surface area varies seasonally from around 30 sq km to over 100 sq km depending on floodwaters and rainfall. It is also designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance.
Overview of Other Options
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a) Chilika Lake: Located in Odisha; it is India’s largest coastal lagoon / brackish water lake (and second largest in the world).
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c) Sambhar Lake: Located in Rajasthan; it is India’s largest inland saline (saltwater) lake.
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d) Vembanad Lake: Located in Kerala; it is the longest lake in India and the largest lake in Kerala, but it consists mostly of brackish water near its opening to the Arabian Sea.
