Physiographic Divisions of India

Physiography of India

India can be divided into following physical divisions viz.

 The Northern Mountains

 The North Indian Plain

 The Peninsular Plateau
 Great Indian Desert
 The coastal Regions
 Islands

The Northern Mountains / Himalayan Mountains

 Young and structurally fold mountains stretch over the northern borders of India
 Run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra formed by the tectonic
collision of the Indian plateau with the Eurasian plateau
 Loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world
 form an arc, which covers a distance of about 2,400 Km in length with varying width from 400
Km in Kashmir to 160 Km Arunachal Pradesh
 The altitudinal variations are greater in the eastern part than in the western
 The Trans Himalayas
 Himalayan Ranges immediately to the north of the The Great Himalayan Range are called the
Trans Himalayas.
 Most of the part of this Himalayan range lies in the Tibet and hence also called Tibetan
Himalaya
 The Zaskar, K2 (Godwin austin), the Ladakh, the Kailash and the Karakoram are the main
ranges of the trans Himalayan system

Greater or Inner Himalayas / Himadri

 Most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres

 Contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks with core of this part of Himalayas is composed
of granite
 Perennially snow bound, and a number of glaciers descend from this range
 Prominent Ranges include Mt. Everest, Kamet, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat, Annapurna

The Lesser Himalaya or Himachal

 Altitude varies between 3,700 to 4,500 metres and the average width is of 50 Km
 While the Pir Panjal range forms the longest and the most important range, the Dhaula Dhar &
the Mahabharat ranges are also prominent ones
 Consists of the famous valley of Kashmir and the Kangra & Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh
(Majority of hill stations lies in this range)

The Shiwaliks
 The altitude varies between 900 to 1100 km and the width varies between 10 to 50 km

 The longitudinal valleys lying between the Himachal and Shiwaliks are called ‘Dun’ for ex.
DehraDun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun

Eastern hills and mountains

 The Brahmaputra marks the eastern border of the Himalayas. Beyond the Dihang gorge, the
Himalayas bend sharply towards south and form the Eastern hills or Purvanchal.
 These hills run through the north eastern states of India & are mostly composed of sandstones
for ex. Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipuri Hills and Mizo Hills

Himalayan Regions from East to West

  This part lies between the Indus and Sutlej – 560 km
 From west to east, this is also known as Kashmir Himalaya and Himachal Himalaya;
respectively.
 Karakoram, Ladakh, Pir Panjal, Zaskar and Dhaola Dhar are the main ranges of this
Punjab section
Himalayas

 This part lies between Sutlej and Kali rivers – 320 km

 Its western part is called Garhwal Himalaya while the eastern part is known as
Kumaon Himalaya
 The general elevation is higher as compared to Panjab Himalayas
 Nanda Devi, Kamet, Trisul, Badrinath, Kedamath, Gangotri are important peaks.
 The sources of sacred rivers like the Ganga and the Yamuna are located in the
Kumaon Himalayas
Kumaon  Nainital and Bhimtal are important lakes
Himalayas

 This part lies between the Kali and Tista rivers – 800 km
 This is the tallest section of the Himalayas and is crowned by several peaks of
perpetual snow
 Importantpeaks include Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse I, Makalu, Dhaula
Giri and Annapurna
Nepal  Kathmandu is a famous valley in this region
Himalayas
  This part lies between the Tista and Dihang rivers – 750 km
 Has elevation much lesser than that of the Nepal Himalayas
 The southern slopes are very steep but the northern slopes are gentle
Assam  Important peaks of this region are Namcha Barwa, Kula Kangri and Chomo Lhari
Himalayas

The Northern Plain

 Formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, namely– the Indus, the Ganga and
the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries
 Composed of alluvial soil which has been deposited over millions of years, about 2400 km
long and about 240 to 320 km broad.
 With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it is
agriculturally a very productive part of India
 Divided into three sections, viz. the Punjab Plain, the Ganga Plain and the Brahmaputra Plain.

Form the western part of the northern plain & formed by the Indus and its tributaries
Punjab Plains with major portion of this plains in Pakistan

Extends between Ghaggar and Tista rivers. The northern states, Haryana, Delhi, UP,
Ganga Plains Bihar, part of Jharkhand and West Bengal lie in the Ganga plains.

Brahmaputra
Plains This plain forms the eastern part of the northern plain and lies in Assam
 Based on the relief features; the northern plain can be divided into four regions, viz. bhabar, terai,
bhangar and khadar.

 After descending from the mountains, the rivers deposit pebbles in a narrow belt.
 The width of this belt is about 8 to 16 km; lies parallel to the Shiwaliks.
Bhabar  All the streams disappear in this region

 The terai region lies towards south of the bhabar belt.

Terai  In this region, the streams reappear and make a wet, swampy and marshy region

 Bhangar is the largest part of the northern plain and is composed of the oldest alluvial soil.
 They lie above the flood plains & resemble terraces.
Bhangar  The soil of this region is locally known as kankar and is composed of calcareous deposits

 The floodplains formed by younger alluvium are called khadar.

Khadar  The soil in this region is renewed every year and is thus highly fertile.

The Peninsular Plateau

 The peninsular plateau is triangular in shape & surrounded by hills, composed of the oldest
rocks as it was formed from the drifted part of the Gondwana land
 Broad & shallow valleys and rounded hills are the characteristic features of this plateau.
 The plateau can be broadly divided into two regions, viz. the Central Highlands and the
Deccan Plateau.
 The Central Highlands
 The Central Highlands lies to the north of the Narmada River & covers the major portion of the
Malwa plateau.
 The rivers in this region flow from southwest to northeast; which indicates the slope of this
region.
 It is wider in the west and narrower in the east.
 Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand mark the eastward extension of this plateau.
 The plateau further extends eastwards into the Chhotanagpur plateau

The Deccan Plateau

 Largest plateau in India, making up most of the southern part of the country, lies to the south
of the Naramada River & shaped as downward-pointing triangle.
 It is located between two mountain ranges, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
 Each rises from its respective nearby coastal plain almost meet at the southern tip of India.
 The average elevation of Western Ghats is 900 – 1600 metres; compared to 600 metres in case
of Eastern Ghats.
 It is separated from the Gangetic plain to the north by the Satpura and Vindhya Ranges, which
form its northern boundary
 Home of thick dark soil (called regur), suitable for cotton cultivation

The Indian Desert

 The Indian desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills.
 This region gets scanty rainfall which is less than 150 mm in a year, Hence they climate is arid
and vegetation is scanty.
 Luni is the only prominent river but some streams appear during rainy season.

The Coastal Plains

The Peninsular plateau is flanked by stretch of narrow coastal strips which run along the Arabian
Sea on the west and along the Bay of Bengal on the east.
 Western Coastal Plains
 The Western Coastal Plainsis a thin strip of coastal plain 50 kilometres in width, much less
than its eastern counterpart, between the west coast of India and the Western Ghats hills, which
starts near the south of river Tapi
 The plains begin at Gujarat in the north and end at Kerala in the south including the states
of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka
 The Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambat lie on the northern part
 Western coastal plane is mainly divided into following sections
 Kathiawar Coast → Kutch to Daman (Tapti, Narmada, Sabarmati & Mahi river deposit huge load of sediments
in the Gulf of Cambay & form estuaries)
 Konkan Coast → Between Daman & Goa
 Kannada Coast → Between Goa to Cannanore
 Kanyakumari Coast → Between Cannanore to Cape Camorin
 Malabar coast à Kannada Coast + Kanyakumari Coast

Eastern Coastal Plains

 Refer to a wide stretch of landmass of India, lying between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of
Bengal.
 These plains are wider and level as compared to the western coastal plains.
 It stretches from Tamil Nadu in the south to West Bengal in the north.
 Eastern coastal plane is mainly divided into following sections
 Utkal coast → Deltaic plains of Ganga to Mahanadi delta (Famous Chilka lake is located in this plain)

 Andhra Coast → Utkal plains to Pulicat lake (Contains deltas of Godavari & Krishna Rivers, & famous
Kolleru lake)

 Northern Circars → Utkal Coast + Andhra Coast (Between Mahanadi & Krishna)

 Coromandal Coast → Between Krishna & Kanyakumari (Consist of Kaveri Delta)

 The Islands

 Total 247 islands in India → 204 islands in Bay of Bengal and 43 in the Arabian Sea
 Few coral islands in the Gulf of Mannar also
 Andaman and Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal consist of hard volcanic rocks
 The middle Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the largest islands of India
 Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea are formed by corals
 The southern – most point of India is in Nicobar Island, known as Indira Point
 Formerly Indira point was called Pygmalion Point, it is submerged now, after 2004 Tsunami

Coastal Plains India

 Spread from Kactch to Daman in south famous for large scale production of salt
Kathiawar coastal  Tapti River, Narmada River, Sabarmati River and Mahi River deposit huge load of
Plains sediments in the Gulf of Cambay & form estuaries

Konkan Coastal
Plains Spread from Daman in the north to Goa in the south (a submerged plain)

Kannada Coastal
Plains Between Goa to Cannanore

Kanyakumari Coast Between Cannanore to Cape Camorin

 Kannada Coast + Kanyakumari Coast

 From Goa in the north to Kanyakumari in the south
 An area which receives one of the highest rainfall in monsoon season
Malabar coastal
Plain  Marked with Lagoons (Ashtamudi & Vembanad) called Kayals
  Spread from deltaic plains of Ganga to Mahanadi delta
Utkal coastal Plain  Famous chilka lake is located in this plain

 Spread from southern limit of Utkal plains to Pulicat lake

Andhra coastal
Plain  Contains deltas of Godavari & Krishna Rivers, & famous Kolleru lake

 Utkal Coast + Andhra Coast

Northern Circars  Between Mahanadi & Krishna

 Spread from Northern chennai (Pulicat lake) to Kanyakumari in the south

Coromandel coastal
Plain  Contains deltaic plains of Kaveri & called as Pride of south India
Gujarat Plains → The plain area between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea from the gulf
of Kuchchh and Gulf of Khambat located on either side of Kathiawar Peninsula is called Gujarat
Plains.
 Peninsular Plateaus India
 A part of Peninsular Deccan Plateau, made of Garo, Khasi & Jaintia Hills &
homeground of Shillong city
Shillong Plateau  World’s highest rainfall receiving point Mawsynram is situated here

 Covers NE part of Peninsular plateau including Jharkhand, parts of Chhattisgarh &

WB, with highest Peak Parasnath
Chhotanagpur
Plateau  Famous as Patland plateau & known as ruhr of India due to large mineral deposits

 Located on north of Narmada rift valley & part of central Highland made up of
granite & gneiss
 A dissected lava plateau covered with black soil, famous for production of cotton
 Northern part of this plateau has been transformed into Badland by river chambal &
Malwa Plateau its tributeries

 Lies to the south of Tapi river, Deccan plateau is majorly a lava region made up of
basalt, whose erosion has led to the formation of black soil
Deccan Plateau  Largest plateau of Indian peninsula, famous for the cultivation of cotton
  A part of deccan plateau, located on north of river krishna
Telangana Plateau  Lies in the rain shadow region of south west monsoon, have mainly dry thorn
forests

 Located on the south of deccan lava region, Built of Malnad region in west
(Western Ghats) & Raichur Maidan in east.
Karnataka Plateau  Bababudan hills (Famous for iron ores) are located in this plateau

 Spreads along the borders of UP & MP

 Has been transformed into ravines by extensive erosional activities of river
Bundelkhand Plateau Chambal & its tributeries

 Spreading in parts of Chhatisgarh & Odisha, contains igneous & metamorphic

rocks of Archaen period
Dandakaranya  River Indravati & Mahandi flows through this plateau & is largely inhabited by
Plateau Gond tribes

Major Rivers in India

Indus River System

 Ancient name → Sindhu

 Origin → Bokharchu Glacier, Near Mansarovar
 In Tibet, Called Singi Khamban / Lion’s mouth
Indus
  Enters In India through Ladakh, flows only in J &K
 Enters Pak through hair pin bend of Nanga Parbat
 Finally Discharges in Arabian Sea
 Flows approx. ( 709 / 2880 ) Km in India
 India uses 20 % of its water by Indo Pak water treaty of 1960

 Originates from Rimo Glacier

 Known as river of death
 flows through Ladakh in India
Shyok  A tributary of the Indus River

 Ancient name → Vitasta

 Origin → Verinag Spring (Kashmir)
 Tributary of Chenab, flows only in J &K
 Flows Northward to Wular Lake
Jhelum  Cut through gorge in Pir- Panjal range to reach Muzzafarabad (POK)

 Ancient name → Akshani / Iskmati

 Origin → Bara Lacha Pass (Himachal)
 Known as chandra-bhaga in Himachal
 Chandra River → Water flowing south from the pass
 Bhaga River → Water Flowing north from the pass
 Flows Northward & parallel to Pir –Panjal Range for some distance

Chenab  Cut through gorge in Pir – Panjal & Turns southward

  Largest tributary of Indus, Flows through Himachal & J & K
 Famous Projects → Duhasti, Baglihar & Salal hydroelectric project

 Ancient name → Purushni

 Origin → Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass (Himachal)
 Tributary of Chenab
 Smallest of 5 rivers
 Flows through Indo – Pak boundary
 Flows northward b/w Pir – Panjal & Dhauladhar Ranges
Ravi  Cut a gorge through Dhauladhar range & flows southward

 Ancient name → Vipasha

 Origin → Beas kund near Rohtang Pass, Himachal
 Tributary of Satluj
 Only river flowing entirely in India
 Runs southward, Cut a deep gorge in Dhauladhar & turns west to meet Satluj near Harike
(Punjab)
Beas  Famous Project → Pong Dam

 Ancient name → Shatadru

 Origin → Rakas lake, Tibet, near Mansarovar
 Enter Himachal at Shipki La Pass
 Collects water from Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum & Beas to join Indus near Mithalkot (Pak)
 Famous Projects → Naptha Jhakri Project & Bhakra Nagal Dam with Govind Sagar
Sutluj Reservoir

Ganga River System

 Origin → As Bhagirathi from Gangotri Glacier (Uttarkashi – Uttarakhand)
 Alakananda unites with Bhagirathi at Devprayag, Uttarakhand → Henceforth known as Ganga
 Passing through Rishikesh, it debounches in plains of Haridwar
 From Haridwar, it flows Southward to reach Allahabad where it joins Yamuna
 Near Rajmahal Hills, it turns southeast & bifurcate at Farraka into Hoogly (Kolkata) & Padma
(BD)
 At Bangladesh, Ganga merges with Brahmputra (Known as Jamuna in Bangladesh) at Goalundo Ghats
 Mixture is known as Padma River

 Then it merges with Meghna & finally falls in Bay of Bengal

 Meghna → Known as Barack river in India

 Major tributaries → Yamuna, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Son, Tons & Punpun
  Origin → Bharchachungar Glacier (Rakas lake) near Mansarovar
 Joins Ganga at Chhapra
 Known as Manchu or Karnali in Nepal
 Known as Saryu or Ghaghra in UP

 Perennial river
Ghaghara  Major tributaries → Sarda & Rakti

 Origin → Sino – Nepal Boundary (Dhaulagiri range)

 Known as Kalyani in Nepal
 Major River of Nepal
Gandak  Joins Ganga at Sonpur, Bihar

 Origin → Gosainath peak (Tibet)

 Merges with river Ganga at Bhagalpur (Bihar)
 Consists of 7 streams & known as Saptakoshi in Nepal
 Main stream → Arun, Tamur & Sun Koshi
 Formerly Known as Sorrow of Bihar
Kosi  Major Projects → Kusha Dam

 Origin → Amarkantak Plateau (Near north of origin of Narmada)

Son  Flows through Kaimur Range to meet Ganga at Patna
  Originates from Gomat Taal / Fulhaar jheel – Pilibhit
Gomti  A tributary of Ganga

 Origin → Yamunotri Glacier (Uttarkashi – Uttarakhand)

 Largest Tributary of Ganga
 After cutting deep gorge across Shivalik, it enters into plains near Tajewala
 Flows southward up to Agra & then turns southeast to meet Ganga at Allahabad
Yamuna  Famous tributaries → Chambal, Sind, Betwa & Ken

 Major Tributaries → Tributary of Yamuna, rises from Vindhya range, MP

Betwa  Major Projects → Matatila dam & Rajghat dam

 Rises from Kaimur hills in Satna (Madhya Pradesh), a tributary of Yamuna

Ken  Famous for its Shajar stone & Raneh waterfalls

 Origin → Vindhya Range (Mhow, MP)

 Passes through Kota & Dhaulpur (Rajasthan)
 Merge with Yamuna at Etawah (UP)
 forms boundary between Rajasthan & MP
 Major tributaries → Kali Sindh, Parvati & Banas
Chambal  Main Power Projects → Gandhisagar, Rana Pratap Sagar & Jawahar Sagar

 Originate from eastern slopes of Aravali

Banas  Tributary of Chambal

 Origin → Eastern part of Chhota Nagpur Plateu

 Meets Hoogli at Falta
Damodar  Power Projects → Talaiya, Maithan, Barakar & Panchet

Brahmaputra River System

 Origin → Chemayungdung Glacier (Kailash Range, Tibet)
 In Tibet, known as TSANG – PO
 In China, known as YARLUNG ZANBO

 Forms grand canyon in Tibet

 Turns southward near Namcha – Barwa
 Enters Arunachal Pradesh as Dihang River at Sadiya, emerging from the mountains
 Joined by Dibang river from the north & Lohit river from the south → Known as Brahamputra
 Turns at Dhubri to enter into Bangladesh
 After joining Teesta, known as Jamuna in BD
 Joins Ganga & Megna → Merges to BOB
 Forms many river island of which Majuli is world 2nd largest one

 Major tributaries → Dihang, Lohit, Subansiri, Teesta, Meghna (Barack in Assam), Manas

 Major tributary of Brahmaputra

 Rises from Sikkim
Teesta  Known as lifeline of Sikkim

 Tributary of Brahmaputra
 Flows through Arunachal Pradesh
Lohit  Along with river Dihang merges into Brahmaputra, at Sadia town (Arunachal Pradesh)

Peninsular Rivers India – Flowing East to West

 Desertic river, also known as the Sagarmati

 Rises from the western slopes of the Aravalli Range near Ajmer
 Ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat
 Inspite of high salinity, it is a major river in region
Luni  Serves as a primary source of irrigation
  Rises from Dhebar lake in Aravalli Range of the Udaipur (Rajasthan)
Sabarmati  Flow Route: Udaipur → Gulf of Khambat → Arabian Sea via Estuary

 Rises from Vindhya range (MP)

 flows through MP, Rajasthan & Gujrat & drains in Gulf of Cambay
Mahi  Famous Projects → Banswara Dam & Kadana dam

 Origin → Amarkantak, Shahdol, MP

 Also known as Rewa River
 Flows through rift valley of Vindhya & Satpura
 Flow Route: MP → Bharuch (Gujrat) → Gulf of Khambat (Gujrat) → Arabian Sea via
Estuary
 Longest among all east to west flowing rivers
 Known as Life line of MP
 Forms Duandhar falls at Jabalpur
 Only tributary → Hiran River
 Aliabet → Largest Island in Estuary

Narmada  Famous projects →Sardar Sarovar Dam, Maheshwar Dam, Indira Gandhi Sagar Dam

 Rises in the Satpura Range of Betul (MP)

Tawa  Narmada’s longest tributary

 Origin → Mahadev hills, Satpura range, Betul district, MP

 Flow Route: MP → Maharashtra → Gulf of Khambat or Cambay → Arabian Sea via
Estuary
Tapi  Famous projects → Kakrapar Dam & Ukai Dam

 Rises from Western Ghats in Kerala

Periyar  Flows towards west & drains in Arabian Sea via an estuary
 Peninsular Rivers India – Flowing West to East

 Origin → Dandakaranya Hills, Raipur

 Flow Route: Chhattisgarh → Orissa → EGs → BOB
Mahanadi  Famous Project : Hirakund Dam

 Origin → Triambakeshwar Plateau, Nashik, WGs

 Largest Peninsular River
 Known as Dakshina / Vriddha Ganga
 Flow Route: Nashik → Andhra Pradesh → BOB
 Famous Tributaries → Penganga, Sabri, Wardha & Indravati
Godavari  Famous Projects → Poochampad, Jayakwadi, Polavaram

 Rises from Ajanta hills (Maharashtra)

Penganga  a tributary of River Wardha which finally merges into Godavari

 Origin → Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, WGs

 Flow Route: Maharashtra → Andhra Pradesh → BOB
Krishna  Famous Projects → Koyna, Tugrabhdra, Srisailam & Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

 a major tributary of Krishna

Tungabhadra  Rises from Western Ghats

 Rises from Balaghat range (Maharashtra)

Bhima  Tributary of Krishna

Kaveri  Origin → Brahamgiri hills, Karnataka, WGs

  Flow Route: Karnataka → Kaveripatnam (TN) →BOB
 Perrenial River
 Forms Shivasundaram Waterfalls
 Famous projects → Krishnaraja sagar & Mettur

 Rises from Karnataka

 Flows b/w Krishna & Kaveri
Penner  Drains into BOB

 Rises from Palni hills (TN)

 A seasonal river flows through TN
Vaigai  Drains in Gulf of Mannar

National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Name Place Famous for

Great Himalayan National Park Himachal Pradesh Blue sheep, Snow leopard, Musk Deer

Rajaji National Park Uttarakhand Elephants, Tigers

Valley of flowers National Park Uttarakhand Snow Leopard, Flora

Corbett National Park Uttarakhand Tigers

Dudhwa tiger Reserve Uttar Pradesh Tigers

Sariska National Park Rajashthan Tigers

Keoladeo National Park or

(Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) Rajasthan Birds & Deers
Name Place Famous for

Ranthambore National Park Rajashthan Tigers

Manas National Park Assam Tigers, Elephants

Kaziranga National Park Assam One-Horned Rhinoceroses

Only floating park in the world, Famous for Sangai

Keibul Lamjao National Park Manipur or Dancing Deers

Sundarbans National Park West Bengal Tigers

Gorumara West Bengal

Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary Orissa -

Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh Tigers

Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh Tigers

Pench National Park Madhya Pradesh Tigers

Name Place Famous for

Gir National Park Gujrat Asiatic Lions

Bandipur National Park Karnataka Tiger

Nagarhole National Park Karnataka Tigers & Elephants

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Kerala Tiger

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala Tiger

Periyar National Park Kerala Tigers & Elephants

Name Place Famous for

Dachigam National Park J&K Hangul/Kashmiri Stag

Nanda Devi National Park Uttarakhand -

Kanchenjunga National Park Sikkim Musk Deer, Snow Leopard

Mouling National Park Arunachal Pradesh Red Panda

Namdapha National Park Arunachal Pradesh Red Giant Flying Squirrel

Nameri National Park Assam Elephants

Balpakhram National Park Meghalaya Elephants, Golden cat

Desert National Park Rajasthan -

Marine National Park Gulf of Kutch -

Madhav National Park Madhya Pradesh -

Chandra Prabha National Park Uttar Pradesh -

Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary Rann of Kutchh Wild Ass

Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh Tiger

Betla National Park Jharkhand bison, elephant, tiger, leopard, axis-axis

Palamu National Park Jharkhand Tiger

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Jharkhand Elephants

Simlipal National Park Odisha Tiger

Melghat Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Tiger

Indravati National Park Chhattisgarh Tiger & wild Buffalo

NagarJuna National Park Andhra Pradesh Tiger

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Goa -

Banerghatta National Park Karnataka Tiger

Silent Valley National Park Kerala -

Mountain Ranges in India

  A sub range of the Hindu Kush Himalayan Range
 K2, the second highest peak in the world is located here
 Famous Glaciers : Siachen Glacier, Biafo Glacier
 Karakoram range span the borders between Pakistan, India and China
Karakoram  Located in the regions of Gilgit –Baltistan (Pakistan), Ladakh (India),
Range and Xinjiang region (China)

 Southeastern extension of the Karakoram Range

 From the mouth of the Shyok River in Ladakh to the border with Tibet
 Extension of the Ladakh Range into China is known as Kailash Range
Ladakh Range  Lies here India’s cold desert named as ‘ LEH

 Boundary line between Ladakh region of Kashmir & remaining two regions of the state
i.e. Jammu region and Vale of Kashmir
 Highest peak Kamet (UK)
 Lies here Coldest place in India, Dras (The Gateway to Ladakh)
Zaskar Range  Famous Passes : Shipki, Lipu Lekh (Lipulieke), and Mana Pass

 Separates Jammu Hills to the south from the Vale of Kashmir(Kashmir Valley), beyond
which lie the Great Himalayas
 Highest Point : Indrasan, 2 nd Highest : Deo Tibba
Pirpanjal
 Has India’s longest rail tunnel known as Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, Banihal road tunnel
Range
  Famous Passes : Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal Pass, Rohtang pass

 Spread in J & K and Himachal, with home to major hill stations like Kullu, Manali &
Dhauladhar
Shimla
Range (White
Range)  Highest peak : Hanuman ji Ka Tiba, or ‘White Mountain‘

 Southernmost & outer Himalayas also known as Manak Parbat in ancient

times, literally means ‘tresses of Shiva’
 About 2,400 km long from Indus till Brahmaputra, with a gap of about 90 kilometres
Shivalik Range between the Teesta and Raidak rivers in Assam known as sub Himalayas.

 Means ‘line of peaks’, runs across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi, known as
Mewar hills
 Highest Peak : Gurushikhar, Mt abu
 Famous passes : Pipli Ghat, Haldi Ghat
Aravali Range  Locally known as Mewar hills

Maikal Range Eastern part of the Satpuras range (MP)

Kaimur Range Eastern portion of the Vindhya Range in MP, UP & Bihar, Parallel to river son

 forms the central part of the Satpura Range, located in MP

Mahadeo Range  Highest peak : Dhoopgarh

Ajanta Range Maharashtra, south of river Tapi, sheltering caves of world famous paintings of Gupta
 period

 In Jharkhand made up of lava basaltic rocks

Rajmahal Hills  Point of Ganges bifurcation

Garo Khasi
Jaintia Hills Continuous mountain range in Meghalaya

 a group of hills located to the south of the Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
Mikir Hills  a part of the Karbi Anglong Plateau

 Hills of Arunachal Pradesh , near the border with China, bordered by Mishmi and Miri
Hills
Abor Hills  drained by Dibang River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra

 in Arunachal pradesh with its northern & eastern parts touching China
Mishmi Hills  Situated at the junction of Northeastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma ranges

 Also known as Purvanchal Range, consist of three major hills The Patkai-Bum, the
Garo-Khasi-Jaintia and Lushai Hills
Patkai Range  situated on India’s north-eastern border with Burma

Mizo Hills
(Lushai Hills) part of the Patkai range in Mizoram and partially in Tripura

 a complex, discontinuous chain of mountain ridges, hill ranges, highlands & plateaus
running through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Vindhya Range  Highest peak – Sadbhawna Shikhar
  a range of hills in central India
 Passes through Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
Satpura Range  Highest peak : Dhupgarh

 Located in Jamshedpur
Dalma Hills  famous for Dalma national park & minerals like iron ore & manganese

Girnar Hills Gujrat

Baba Budan
Giri Karnataka

 At Pune, acts as a water divide bw Godavari & Krishna

Harishchandra  Hills made up of lava

Balaghat range Bw MP & Maharashtra, famous for manganese deposits

Chilpi series MP

Talcher series Odisha, rich in bituminous coal

Champion
series Karnataka, Dharawar period, rich in gold (contains kolar mines)

 Referred as Blue mountains, a range of mountains in the westernmost part of Tamil

Nadu at the junction of Karnataka and Kerala
 Hills are separated from the Karnataka plateau to the north by the Moyar River and from
Nilgiri Hills the Anaimalai Hills & Palni Hills to the south by the Palghat Gap

 Eastward extension of the Western Ghats ranges

Palani Hills
  adjoin the high Anamalai range on the west, and extend east into the plains of Tamil
Nadu

 Also known as Elephant Hill

 a range of mountains in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with highest peak
Anamalai Hills Anamudi

Cardmom
Hills Part of the southern Western Ghats located in southeast Kerala and southwest Tamil Nadu

 also known as the Pachais

Pachamalai
Hills  Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu

Mountain Passes in India

J&K

Aghil Pass Ladakh – China Karakoram

Burzil Pass Kashmir –Giligit Karakoram

Karakoram Pass Ladakh – China Karakoram

Jojila Pass Srinagar- Leh (J&K) Zaskar

Pensi La Ladhak Kashmir Gateway to Zaskar

Banihal Pass J&K Famous for Jawahar Tunnel

 Himachal Pradesh

Baralacha Pass Ladakh – Himachal Pradesh

Rohtang Pass Himachal Pradesh

Shipki La India-Tibet border

Uttarakhand

Mana Pass India-Tibet border (Also known as Dungri La)

Niti Pass India-Tibet border

Lipulekh Pass India-Tibet border

Sikkim

Nathu La Pass India – Tibet

Jelep La Pass India – Tibet

Arunachal Pradesh

Bomdila Pass India – Tibet

Bum La Pass India – Tibet

Tunga Pass India – Tibet

Dihang Pass India – Tibet

Assam

Diphu Pass Tri-point of the borders of India, China, and Burma

Ghats in India

Goram Ghat Aravali range, Rajasthan

 Asirgarh Pass Madhya Pradesh, connects Narmada & Tapi valleys, also known as Key to Deccan

Thal Ghat Maharashtra – Connects Mumbai to Kolkata via rail route

Bhor Ghat Maharashtra – Connects Mumbai to Chennai via rail route

Pal Ghat Kerala – Connects Chennai to Cochin via rail route

Islands in India
 Total 247 islands in India → 204 islands in Bay of Bengal and 43 in the Arabian Sea
 Few coral islands in the Gulf of Mannar also
 Andaman and Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal consist of hard volcanic rocks
 The middle Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the largest islands of India
 Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea are formed by corals
 The southern – most point of India is in Nicobar Island, known as Indira Point
 Formerly Indira point was called Pigmalion Point, it is submerged now, after 2004 Tsunami

Andaman & Nicobar Islands Lakshadweep Islands

 Volcanic islands representing submarine

volcanism
 Represent the surfaces of submerged folds viz.
extension of Himalaya, precisely Arakan yoma
fold mountains of Myanmar
 Formed of Granite rocks & have high hills &l
peaks for ex. Saddle peak
 Equatorial climate with tropical rain-forests
 a union of coral islands, entirely different from A &
N islands
 comprises of large number of dead corals, fringing,
barrier and atoll coral reefs
 Have calcium rich soils filled with organic
limestone
 Have scattered vegetation of palm species
 Famous Islands in India
A & N Islands Continuation of Arakan Yoma mountain range of Myanmar

Nicobar Islands Just 147 km from Sumatra island (Indonesia)

Mazuli Island Largest riverrine island of the world, located on Brahamaputra in Assam

New Moore Island On Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta region & a disputed site b/w India & Bangladesh

Sagar Island W.B – on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal

Wheeler Island Odisha, Integrated Missile Test Range facility

Hope Island On coast of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh — Houses Satish Dhawan Space Centre

Sriharikota Island Andhra Pradesh – Satellite launch center

Narcondam Island Extinct Volcano island – Andaman Sea

Barren Island Dormant Volcano island – Andaman Sea

Katchatheevu Island forcibly given to Srilanka by India in 1974

 Salasette Island Group of 7 islands, known as Mumbai today

Wellington Island Naval Station → Kerala

Adam’s Bridge/ Rama’s Bridge/ Rama Setu

 a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island
 Lies off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern
coast of Sri Lanka

Bays, Gulf & Sea – India

 Separate Katchh & Kathiawar Peninsula
 Max. potential for tidal energy
Gulf of Katchh
 Famous ports : Kandla, Mundra, Okha, Salaya

Gulf of Khambat
 Forms mouth of various rivers, namely, Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati

 Separates India & Srilanka, Located at south east of Tamil Nadu

 Asia’s 1st oceanic biodiversity protection region & a biosphere reserve
 Famous port Tuticorin lies along its coast
Gulf of Mannar
 Its environment is likely to be hampered by Setusamundram project

Palk Bay
 b/w India & Srilanka, & home to proposed Setusamundram project

 b/w India & Srilanka, Palk strait has coral formation

Palk Strait
 Setusamundram project to connect Palk strait with Gulf of mannar
 Adam’s Bridge/ Rama’s Bridge/ Rama Setu
 a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island
 Lies off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern
coast of Sri Lanka

Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project

 Would link Palk Bay & Gulf of Mannar b/w Tamilnadu & Sri Lanka
 By creating a shipping channel through the shallow sea called Sethusamudram via Ram Sethu.
 Famous Seas / Oceans of India
Bay of Bengal
 Bay of Bengal is bordered to the north by a wide continental shelf that narrows to the south
and by slopes of varying gradient on the northwest, north, and northeast.
 Bay of Bengal has a distinct tropical marine ecosystem, and copious river drainage into the
northern part of the bay and the profusion of wetlands, marshes, and mangroves increase
productivity of nearshore fish species.
 Petroleum and natural-gas discoveries have been made in the Bay of Bengal, notably offshore
of the Godavari and Manandi deltas.
 The principal trade routes for large tankers en route from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of
Malacca pass south of the Bay of Bengal.
 Haldia, Vishakhapatnam, and Paradeep are well developed as iron ore terminals, reflecting
India’s profitable exportation of raw materials.

Bay of Bengal Major Branches

 Chandipur & Gopalpur in Orissa

 Marina in Chennai
 Arabian Sea
 The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on on the north by Pakistan and Iran,
on the south by northeastern Somalia, on the east by India and on the west by the Arabian
Peninsula.
 The countries with coastlines on the Arabian Sea are Somalia, Djibouti, Yemen, Oman, Iran,
Pakistan, India and the Maldives.
 The Arabian Sea has two important branches — the Gulf of Aden in the southwest, connecting
with the Red Sea through the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb; and the Gulf of Oman to the northwest,
connecting with the Persian Gulf.
 There are also the gulfs of Cambay and Kutch on the Indian coast.
 The Indus and the Narmada rivers are the principal waterways draining into the sea.

Arabian Sea Major Branches

 Mandavi, Dwarka & Chorwad in Gujrat
 Dahanu & Murad in Maharashtra
 Arambol & Karwar in Karnataka
 Kollam & Kovalam in Kerala

Indian Ocean
 Strategic significance→ India overlooks some of the most important sea lanes viz. Suez Canal,
Malacca Strait
 Economic significance→ Long coastline, 2.02 million sq km EEZ (Exclusive economic zone)
 Tourism Significance→ Marine biodiversity and rich ecosystem with coral reefs, mangroves
 Large Fishing potential, Wave energy & Tidal energy potential, Zone of Hydrocarbons
 Generation of south west Monsoon
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Ports in India
 Natural harbor & biggest port of India (Gateway of India)
Mumbai  Handles approx. 1/5th of India’s foreign trade

Nava Seva Jawalar Lal Port (Highly Mechanized Port) , Mumbai

Chennai Oldest artificial harbor on east coast & 2nd largest port in terms of volume of traffic

Ennore 1st corporate port (To release pressure on Chennai port)

Tuticorin (TN) On Eastern coast of India

Kandla Tidal Port (To release pressure on Mumbai port, developed after partition of India), Gujrat

Kochi A natural harbor

 Vishakhapatnam Deepest artificial harbor on east coast

Riverine Port (Handles goods coming from SE Asian countries Australia & New
Kolkata Zealand)

Haldia Developed on river Hooghly to relieve pressure on Kolkata port

Paradip Located on Orissa coast

Mormugao In Goa ( 5th in total traffic handled)

New Mangalore On New Mangalore

 Ennore – 1st corporate port (To release pressure on Chennai port)
 Indian Ports - 95 % by volume & 70 % by value – India’s international trade
 In monsoon, all western ports except Mumbai, Cochin & Kandila are closed (12 Major & 1
Minor Port)

 Maritime transport is to be administered by both the Central and the State governments.

 While the central government’s shipping ministry administers the major ports, the minor and intermediate ports
are administered by the relevant state gov. of coastal states.

 All major ports, except one Ennore Port are government administered. It is the first port in India which is a
public company

Inland Waterways in India

Major Inland Waterways by Inland waterways authority of India (IWAI)
Inland Waterway 1 Allahabad-Haldia stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system

Inland Waterway 2 Sadiya-Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra River (Assam)

Kottapuram-Kollam stretch of the West Coast Canal, Champakara Canal and

Inland Waterway 3 Udyogmandal Canal (Kerala)

Inland Waterway 4 Kakinada-Pondicherry along Godavari and Krishna River system

Inland Waterway 5 Talcher – Paradip (Odisha)

Inland Waterway 6 Lakhipur to Bhanga on the River Barak (Assam – Proposed)

Indian Waterways → 1 % of total transport

Lengthwise → 1 > 4 > 2 > 5 > 3

Inland Waterway 1 → Allahabad-Haldia stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river

system

Inland Waterway 2 → Sadiya-Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra River (Assam)

Inland Waterway 3 → Kottapuram-Kollam stretch of the West Coast Canal,
Champakara Canal and Udyogmandal Canal (Kerala)
Inland Waterway 4 → Kakinada-Pondicherry along Godavari and Krishna River
system
Inland Waterway 5 → Talcher – Paradip (Odisha)
 Nuclear Reactors in India

Plant Location State

Narora Atomic Power Station Narora Uttar Pradesh

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Rawatbhata Rajasthan

Tarapur Atomic Power Station Tarapur Maharashtra

Jaitapur Atomic Power Station Jaitapur Maharashtra

Kakrapara Atomic Power Station Kakrapar Gujarat

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Kudankulam Tamilnadu

Madras Atomic Power Station Kalpakkam Tamilnadu

Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant Kaiga Karnataka

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Important Glaciers in India

Batura Glacier J & K – Karakoram range

Khurdopin Glacier J & K – Karakoram range

Hispar Glacier J & K – Karakoram range

Biafo Glacier J & K – Karakoram range

Baltoro Glacier J & K – Karakoram range

Chogolungma glacier J & K – Karakoram range

Diamir Glacier J & K – Karakoram range

 LOC between India & POK

Siachin Glacier  Close to China border – Karakoram Range

Gangotri Glacier Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

 located in Trishul peak of Pithoragarh of Uttarakhand

Milam Glacier  Source of Goriganga

Pindari glacier Nanda devi, Uttarakhand

 Largest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya

Zemu Glacier  Located on Kanchenjunga peak, Sikkim

Major Mountain Peaks in India

Broad Peak Also known as K3 & Falchan Kangri, in Karakoram range

Godwin Austen Also known as K2, Highest of Karakoram range

Gasher Brum Karakoram range

 J&K
Nanga Parbat  Indus river skirts this range before it debouches into the plains of Pakistan

Saltoro Kangri J & K, Karakoram Range

Nun Kun Highest of Zaskar Range (J&K) – Indian side

 Uttarakhand
Badrinath  Famous for Holy temple of Badrinath (Lord Vishnu)

Nanda Devi Uttarakhand, 2nd highest mountain in India and the highest entirely within the country

 Nepal and Sikkim (B/w Teesta river in east & Tamur river in west)
Kanchenjunga  Highest mountain in India & 3rd highest mountain in the world

Nokrek Highest point of the Garo Hills (Meghalaya)

Saramati Highest of Naga Hills

Blue Peak Also known as Phawngpui, highest of Mizo hills

Gurushikhar Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, highest point of the Aravalli Range

Gorakhnath Highest peak of the Girnar mountain, Gujrat

Highest point of Satpura Range, Located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh (Highest of

Dhupgarh MP also)

 known as Shikharji means venerable peak + Sammet Shikhar means peak of

concentration
 a place where 20/24 Tirthankaras attained mokṣa through meditative concentration
 Parasnath is derived from Pārśva, the 23rd Tirthankara who attained nirvana at the
site
 Highest peak of chhota nagpur plateau, Located in Jharkhand, is a Jain pilgrimage
Parasnath site

 Highest mountain peak of Orissa

Mahendragiri  2nd highest of Eastern Ghats, next only to Jindhagada Peak, Andhra Pradesh

Malayagiri Orissa
Nimgiri 2nd highest mountain in Orissa

Kalsubai Highest peak in Maharashtra

Mahabaleshwar a hill station at Maharashtra

Brahmagiri On the border of Karnataka, Origin of river Kaveri

Kundremukh Located on Karnataka, literally means Horse Face

 Highest point in Tamil Nadu , near Udhagamandalam (Nilgiri Hills)

Doddabetta  second highest peak in the Western Ghats only next to Anamudi

Anaimudi Located in Kerala, It is the highest peak in Western Ghats and in South India

also called as Ashambu Hills, lie at the extreme southern end of Western Ghats,
Agasthyamalai straddle both sides in Kerala and in Tamil Nadu

Saddle Peak highest point of the archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, located in Andaman

 3rd highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago only next to
 Saddle peak (Highest of Andaman)
Mount Hariet
  Mount Thullier (Highest of Nicobar)

Bays, Gulf & Sea – India

 Separate Katchh & Kathiawar Peninsula
 Max. potential for tidal energy
Gulf of Katchh
 Famous ports : Kandla, Mundra, Okha, Salaya

Gulf of Khambat
 Forms mouth of various rivers, namely, Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati

 Separates India & Srilanka, Located at south east of Tamil Nadu

 Asia’s 1st oceanic biodiversity protection region & a biosphere reserve
 Famous port Tuticorin lies along its coast
Gulf of Mannar
 Its environment is likely to be hampered by Setusamundram project

Palk Bay
 b/w India & Srilanka, & home to proposed Setusamundram project

 b/w India & Srilanka, Palk strait has coral formation

Palk Strait
 Setusamundram project to connect Palk strait with Gulf of mannar

Adam’s Bridge/ Rama’s Bridge/ Rama Setu

 a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island
 Lies off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern
coast of Sri Lanka
 Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project
 Would link Palk Bay & Gulf of Mannar b/w Tamilnadu & Sri Lanka
 By creating a shipping channel through the shallow sea called Sethusamudram via Ram Sethu.

Famous Seas / Oceans of India

 Bay of Bengal
 Bay of Bengal is bordered to the north by a wide continental shelf that narrows to the south
and by slopes of varying gradient on the northwest, north, and northeast.
 Bay of Bengal has a distinct tropical marine ecosystem, and copious river drainage into the
northern part of the bay and the profusion of wetlands, marshes, and mangroves increase
productivity of nearshore fish species.
 Petroleum and natural-gas discoveries have been made in the Bay of Bengal, notably offshore
of the Godavari and Manandi deltas.
 The principal trade routes for large tankers en route from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of
Malacca pass south of the Bay of Bengal.
 Haldia, Vishakhapatnam, and Paradeep are well developed as iron ore terminals, reflecting
India’s profitable exportation of raw materials.

Bay of Bengal Major Branches

 Chandipur & Gopalpur in Orissa

 Marina in Chennai
 Arabian Sea
 The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on on the north by Pakistan and Iran,
on the south by northeastern Somalia, on the east by India and on the west by the Arabian
Peninsula.
 The countries with coastlines on the Arabian Sea are Somalia, Djibouti, Yemen, Oman, Iran,
Pakistan, India and the Maldives.
 The Arabian Sea has two important branches — the Gulf of Aden in the southwest, connecting
with the Red Sea through the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb; and the Gulf of Oman to the northwest,
connecting with the Persian Gulf.
 There are also the gulfs of Cambay and Kutch on the Indian coast.
 The Indus and the Narmada rivers are the principal waterways draining into the sea.

Arabian Sea Major Branches

 Mandavi, Dwarka & Chorwad in Gujrat

 Dahanu & Murad in Maharashtra

 Arambol & Karwar in Karnataka
 Kollam & Kovalam in Kerala

Indian Ocean
 Strategic significance→ India overlooks some of the most important sea lanes viz. Suez Canal,
Malacca Strait
 Economic significance→ Long coastline, 2.02 million sq km EEZ (Exclusive economic zone)
 Tourism Significance→ Marine biodiversity and rich ecosystem with coral reefs, mangroves
 Large Fishing potential, Wave energy & Tidal energy potential, Zone of Hydrocarbons
 Generation of south west Monsoon
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Major Lakes in India

Lakes in India – Part 1
Wular Lake
 kashmir – India’s largest freshwater lake
 Formed by tectonic forces
 Forms Delta with river Jhelum
 Tulbul project

 kashmir – freshwater lake

Dal Lake
  Srinagar is located along its coast
 Contains Char Chinar & Nami islands

 Jammu – katra highway – freshwater lake

Mansar Lake  Natural lake used mainly for fishing

Naini Lake Uttarakhand – freshwater lake

 Rajasthan – most saline lake of India

Sambhar Lake  Listed in Ramsar as a wetland of international importance

Pushkar Lake Ajmer (Rajasthan), a freshwater lake

Panchprada Lake Badmer (rajasthan), a saline lake

 Rajasthan – Largest artificial lake of India

 Also known as Jaisamand Lake
Dhebar Lake  Built in 17th century, a freshwater lake

 Rajsamad (Rajasthan) –freshwater lake

 Created in 17th centuary by damming the water of Gomti, Kelva & Tali rivers
Rajsamad Lake  Home of two islands
  A bowl shape lake, located in Mt. Abu (Rajasthan)
Nakki Lake  Probably volcanic

 Saline water lake located in Gujrat

Nal Sarovar Lake  largest bird century of Gujrat

 Fresh water lake located in Maghalaya, famous for its Biodiversity

Nokrek Lake  Nokrek National Park & Biosphere reserve

 Manipur – Largest fresh water lake located in NE India

Loktak Lake  Floating island – Phundis

Lakes in India – Part 2

 A highly polluted lake surrounded by city of Bhopal
Bhoj Wetland  Consists of 2 lakes viz. upper lake & lower lake

 Biggest artificial lake of Ahmedabad

 Built by Sultan Ahmed shah, whose name accounts for the name of the city
Kankaria Ahmedabad

Lonar Crater lake, located at Maharashtra

 Saline water lagoon located at Orissa

Chilka  Siberian bird migrate here in winters

 Artificial lake of Hyderabad, by creating a dam on river Musi

Usman Sagar  Created by Nizam Usman Khan in 1920
  Fresh water lake, Situated b/w deltas of Godavari & Krishna
Kolleru Lake  A bird sanctuary & a wetland under Ramsar list

 Salt water lagoon located at the coast of Andhra Pradesh

Pulicat Lake  Separated from the sea by Sriharikota island

 A rainfed reservoir, located at Thanjavur in Chennai

Sholavaram  Due to scanty rainfall for last few years, lake looks like a pond

Vembanad Kerala, a lagoon, famous for boat comptetion

Astamudi Kerala, a lagoon, under Ramsar convention

Lakes in India – Part 3

 Laddakh, b/w India & China (Tibet)
Pangong Lake  Nearby Chnagla Pass

 Largest high altitude lake, located at Ladakh

Tsomoriri Lake  Tourists are not allowed boating in this lake
  A high altitude lake, located at Lahaul & Spiti districts of Himachal nearby Kunzam
Pass
 Chandra river, a major tributary of Chenab originated from Chandra Tal
Chandra Tal  Declared as a wetland under Ramsar covention

 Located below Baralacha pass at Lahaul & Spiti districts of Himachal

Suraj Tal  Remains frozen during the greater part of the year

 Mystry lake of uttarakhand

 Also known as Skeleton lake
Roop Kund  672 Skeletons has been found in this shallow lake

Sukhna Lake Chandigarh

Quiet & calm group of 7 pristine lakes in lower Himalayan range situated near Bhimtal in
Sat Tal Uttarakhand