Previous Year Question

Kodaikanal Lake is a human-made artificial lake. The other three—Kolleru, Nainital and Renuka—are natural lakes.

Kodaikanal Lake: Artificial

• Kodaikanal Lake is situated in the centre of Kodaikanal town in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.

• It is a roughly star-shaped artificial lake.

• It was created in 1863 under the supervision of Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the then Collector of Madurai.

• The lake was developed by impounding small streams flowing through a natural valley.

• Its average depth is reported to be approximately 3 metres.

• The lake is a major centre of tourism, boating and local ecological activity in Kodaikanal.

• Shola forests and montane grasslands occur in its catchment region.

• Excess water flowing out of Kodaikanal Lake descends further downstream as Silver Cascade Falls.

Kolleru Lake: Natural

• Kolleru is a natural freshwater lake situated between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers in Andhra Pradesh.

• It is principally fed by the Budameru, Tammileru and smaller surrounding streams.

• Its excess water drains towards the Bay of Bengal through the Upputeru outlet.

• It acts as a natural flood-balancing reservoir between the Krishna and Godavari delta regions.

• It was designated a Ramsar Site in 2002.

• It is important for migratory birds, fisheries and aquatic biodiversity.

Nainital Lake: Natural

• Naini Lake is a natural freshwater lake situated in Nainital town in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand.

• It is a crescent-shaped lake surrounded by mountain slopes.

• Its origin is generally associated with tectonic activity and a depression created or modified by landslides.

• Its northern and southern parts are traditionally known as Mallital and Tallital respectively.

• It receives water from springs, rainfall and runoff from the surrounding hills.

• The lake is central to Nainital’s tourism and local water system.

Renuka Lake: Natural

• Renuka Lake is a natural freshwater lake situated in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

• It is regarded as the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh.

• It is surrounded by forested hills, and its shape is traditionally compared to that of a reclining woman.

• It is religiously associated with Goddess Renuka and Lord Parashurama.

• It was designated a Ramsar Site in 2005.

• The lake and its surrounding wetland provide habitats for fish, turtles, birds and other biodiversity.

Comparative summary