Lakes

Lakes 

• There are numerous lakes in India. These differ from each other in terms of size and other characteristics.
• Most lakes are permanent, but some, such as those in semi-arid inland drainage basins, only contain water during the rainy season.
• Lakes are formed by the action of glaciers and ice sheets, wind, river, and human. 
• A meandering river across a floodplain creates cut-offs, which eventually develop into ox-bow lakes. Spits and bars form lagoons along the coast, such as the Chilika, Pulicat, and Kolleru lakes.
• Lakes in the inland drainage region are sometimes seasonal, such as the salt water Sambhar lake in Rajasthan. Its water is used to make salt.
• The Himalayan region contains the majority of freshwater lakes. They are glacial in origin. In other words, they formed when glaciers dug out a basin that was later filled by snowmelt. In contrast, the Wular lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of tectonic activity. It is India's largest freshwater lake.
• Other notable freshwater lakes include Dal Lake, Bhimtal, Nainital, Loktak, and Barapani.
• Besides natural lakes, damming rivers for hydropower generation has resulted in the formation of lakes such as Guru Gobind Sagar (Bhakra Nangal Project).
• Lakes are extremely valuable to humans. A lake helps to control the flow of a river. It prevents flooding during heavy rains and aids in maintaining an even flow of water during the dry season. Lakes can also be used to generate hydropower.
• They help to maintain the aquatic ecosystem, enhance natural beauty, develop tourism, and provide recreation.