LONAR LAKE

Last Updated on 11th December, 2024
5 minutes, 43 seconds

Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: The Maharashtra government plans to submit a proposal to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to include the famous Lonar Lake in Buldhana district in the Unesco World Heritage Sites list.

About Lonar Lake:

It is a lake and lagoon in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra state. It was created due to a meteorite. It is the only major hoverback in the basalt rock. Its water is alkaline. It is in an impact crater created by a meteorite impact during the Pleistocene Epoch.

The presence of plagioclase that has been either converted into maskelynite or contains planar deformation features has confirmed the impact origin of this crater.

Historical context: The lake was first mentioned in ancient scriptures such as the Skanda Purana and the Padma Purana.

Lonar Lake has been declared a Wildlife Sanctuary for the conservation and conservation of Lonar Lake. There are temples from around 1250 years ago.

Facts: Reports by Agharkar Research Institute, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and Geological Survey of India suggested that lowered water levels and high salinity caused growth of Halobacterium and increased Carotenoid levels, leading to color change.

Important lakes in India

Name of Lake

Type

Location

Significance

Vembanad Lake

Lagoon

Kerala

Longest lake in India; a Ramsar site; supports tourism and traditional fishing.

Chilika Lake

Lagoon

Odisha

Asia's largest brackish water lagoon; a Ramsar site; critical for migratory birds.

Dal Lake

Freshwater

Jammu & Kashmir

Known for houseboats and tourism; supports aquaculture and agriculture.

Wular Lake

Freshwater

Jammu & Kashmir

One of the largest freshwater lakes in India; supports biodiversity and flood control.

Loktak Lake

Freshwater

Manipur

Known for phumdis (floating islands); Keibul Lamjao National Park is located on its phumdis.

Sambhar Lake

Saltwater

Rajasthan

Largest inland saltwater lake in India; significant for salt production and migratory birds.

Pulicat Lake

Lagoon

Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu Border

Second largest brackish water lagoon; supports flamingos and other migratory birds.

Pangong Tso

Endorheic (Salt)

Ladakh

High-altitude lake shared between India and China; a popular tourist destination.

Nainital Lake

Freshwater

Uttarakhand

Kidney-shaped lake; a popular hill station attraction.

Tsomgo Lake

Glacial

Sikkim

Sacred lake near the Indo-China border; visited for its scenic beauty.

Bhimtal Lake

Freshwater

Uttarakhand

Larger than Nainital Lake; has an island in the center.

Kolleru Lake

Freshwater

Andhra Pradesh

Bird sanctuary; supports a wide range of migratory birds.

Upper Lake (Bhojtal)

Artificial (Dam)

Madhya Pradesh

Largest artificial lake in India; serves as a major source of drinking water for Bhopal.

Pushkar Lake

Sacred Freshwater

Rajasthan

Sacred site for Hindus; hosts the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.

Sheshnag Lake

Glacial

Jammu & Kashmir

Sacred lake associated with Hindu mythology; located near Amarnath.

Sardar Sarovar Reservoir

Artificial (Dam)

Gujarat

Part of the Narmada River project; supports irrigation, power generation, and drinking water.

Lonar Lake

Meteoric (Saline)

Maharashtra

Formed by a meteor impact; unique ecosystem with saline and alkaline water.

Pichola Lake

Artificial (Fresh)

Rajasthan

Famous for Lake Palace and Jag Mandir; contributes to Udaipur's scenic beauty.

Kanwar Lake

Freshwater

Bihar

Asia's largest oxbow lake; a Ramsar site supporting birdlife.

ALSO READ

https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/important-lakes-in-india

Source:

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/maharashtra-govt-steps-up-efforts-to-get-unesco-tag-for-lonar-lake-124120900070_1.html

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Lonar Lake:

  1. It is a unique saline soda lake.
  2. The lake was formed due to the impact of a meteorite around 52,000 years ago.
  3. It is surrounded by basaltic lava plains from the Deccan Traps.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Lonar Lake is a saline soda lake situated in Maharashtra.

Statement 2 is correct: Around 52,000 years ago, a meteor crashed here carving out a crater that later filled with water. Today, Lonar Lake is surrounded by lush greenery, drawing scientists and curious travelers alike.

Statement 3 is correct: Lonar Crater sits inside the Deccan Plateau – a massive plain of volcanic basalt rock created by eruptions some 65 million years ago. Its location in this basalt field suggested to some geologists that it was a volcanic crater. Today, however, Lonar Crater is understood to be the result of a meteorite impact.

Free access to e-paper and WhatsApp updates

Let's Get In Touch!