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Question 54 of 131 · Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India
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Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, is located in:

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Answer: Option D — Jammu and Kashmir

Detailed Solution

Wular Lake, in the Bandipora district of the Kashmir Valley, is the largest freshwater lake in India and one of the largest in Asia.

Formation and size:

  • It was formed by tectonic activity and lies in a depression of the Kashmir Valley.
  • It is fed mainly by the Jhelum river, which enters it and flows out of it, and by smaller streams.
  • Its area varies greatly with the season, from about 30 square km to about 260 square km.

Role of the lake:

  • It acts as a natural flood reservoir for the Jhelum, absorbing excess water during floods and releasing it slowly.
  • It supports fisheries (providing a large share of the fish catch of Kashmir) and the harvesting of water chestnut (singhara) and other plants.

Historical names:

  • In ancient times, it was called Mahapadmasar.
  • In the 15th century, Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah) built an artificial island in the lake, called Zaina Lank.
  • The name "Wular" may come from the Sanskrit word "Ullola", meaning stormy waves, as strong winds often whip up its waters.

Ramsar site:

Wular Lake was declared a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) in 1990.

Threats:

  • Siltation, encroachment, willow plantations and pollution have reduced its area by a large amount over the decades.
  • The Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) is working to restore it.

The Tulbul Navigation Project:

India's Tulbul Navigation Project (Wular Barrage) at the outlet of the lake aims to regulate water for navigation on the Jhelum. Pakistan has objected under the Indus Waters Treaty, and work had been suspended for many years.

Other famous lakes of Jammu and Kashmir:

Dal Lake (Srinagar), Manasbal Lake and Anchar Lake.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim have notable lakes, but Wular Lake is in Jammu and Kashmir.

Quick tip

Remember: Wular Lake (Bandipora, J&K) = largest freshwater lake of India, fed by the Jhelum; Ramsar site (1990).

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Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers India's drainage system: the Himalayan rivers (the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems), the peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi and Mahanadi), their tributaries and origins, waterfalls, lakes, and the major dams and multipurpose river projects. Exams ask about the origin of a river, its tributaries, the cities on its banks, and the river on which a dam is built. For example, the Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Sutlej, the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada. Remember that the Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea, while most peninsular rivers flow east. Practise the rivers, lakes and dams of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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