Indian Lakes: Nature’s Varied Reservoirs:

Indian Lakes whether natural or artificial bodies of water that are surrounded by land. India boasts a diverse array of lakes, each distinct in terms of size and characteristics.  

Indian Lakes: Origins and Formation Diversity

• Dynamic Waters: Seasonal Lakes in Semi-Arid Regions:
  • Many of these lakes are permanent, while others only contain water during the rainy season, particularly in semi-arid regions with inland drainage basins.
• Formation of Lakes: Shaped by Glaciers, Rivers, Wind, and Human Intervention
  • Some lakes have formed due to the actions of glaciers and ice sheets, 
  • While others owe their existence to processes like wind and river action, as well as human activities.
  • Example: Oxbow lakes develop when meandering rivers create cut-offs in floodplains over time.
• Lagoons along Coastal Areas::
  • Coastal areas give rise to lagoons through the formation of spits and bars.
  • Example: Lakes like Chilika, Pulicat, and Kolleru.
• Inland Drainage Lakes: Like Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, are often seasonal and may contain saltwater, with their primary use being salt production.
• Freshwater Lakes in the Himalayan Region: The Himalayan region hosts a majority of freshwater lakes, predominantly of glacial origin. 
  • These lakes were carved out by glaciers and subsequently filled with snowmelt.
  • Notable examples include Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, which owes its existence to tectonic activity and stands as the largest freshwater lake in India.
  • Additional significant freshwater lakes encompass Dal Lake, Bhimtal, Nainital, Loktak (Refer Figure), and Barapani.

Loktak Lake

• Harvesting Power: Legacy of Man-Made Reservoirs in India: Apart from natural lakes, the damming of the rivers for the generation of hydel power has also led to the formation of lakes, such as Guru Gobind Sagar (Bhakra Nangal Project).

Indian Lakes and Rivers: Lifelines Shaping Economies and Cultures

• Rivers and Indian Lakes: Lifelines Through Time: Throughout human history, rivers along with Indian Lakes have held profound significance. 
  • They provide a foundational natural resource, crucial for a wide range of human endeavors. 
  • As a result, the banks of rivers have historically drawn settlers, leading to the growth of thriving cities.
• River Utilization: Directing the Lifelines of Agriculture and Power: Leveraging rivers for purposes such as irrigation, navigation, and hydroelectric power generation .
  • It holds particular importance, especially in countries like India where agriculture is the primary livelihood for the majority of the population.
• The Dual Nature of Rivers: Flood Prevention and Water Flow Harmony: During heavy rains, a lake prevents flooding and 
  • During the dry season, It helps to maintain an even flow of water.
• Hydel Power and Beyond: Unlocking the Potential of Indian Lakes and Rivers: Indian Lakes can also be used for developing hydel power. 
  • They moderate the climate of the surroundings; 
  • Maintain the aquatic ecosystem, enhance natural beauty and help develop tourism and provide recreation.

Pollution Challenges in Indian Lakes and Rivers

The growing domestic, municipal, industrial and agricultural demand for water from rivers naturally affects the quality of water. 

• Depleting River Reserves: As a result, more and more water is being drained out of the rivers reducing their volume.
• Pollution Overload: On the other hand, a heavy load of untreated sewage and industrial effluents are emptied into the rivers, impacting not only the rivers but also nearby Indian lakes.
• Challenges to Self-Purification: This affects not only the quality of water but also the self-cleansing capacity of the river and adjacent Indian Lakes.
• The increasing urbanization and industrialisation do not allow the rivers and Indian Lakes to assimilate and dilute pollution and the pollution level of many rivers has been rising.
  • Concern over rising pollution in our rivers led to the launching of various action plans to clean the rivers. 
  • The National River Conservation Plan (NCRP) is one such initiative. 

Conclusion

• India’s rivers carry substantial water volumes annually, but this distribution is marked by disparities both temporally and spatially. 
• Some rivers flow perennially, maintaining consistent water levels throughout the year, whereas others, classified as non-perennial, experience significantly reduced water flow during dry seasons. 
• The monsoon season sees excessive water, leading to wasteful floods that ultimately drain into the sea. Conversely, regions affected by floods may see drought conditions elsewhere in the country.