Exambodh - Practice Aptitude, Reasoning & GK Questions
Play Quiz
Geography
easyQ. No. 14334-which-is-the-largest-coastal-lagoon-in-india

Which is the largest coastal lagoon in India?

Last Updated:

This question examines an important river-or-lake fact: “Which is the largest coastal lagoon in India?” The correct answer is Chilika Lake. Chilika Lake in Odisha is the largest natural lake in India (and the largest coastal lagoon in Asia). It is a brackish water lagoon separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow sand ridge. Being the first Ramsar site in India (1981), it has immense ecological importance. Lakes may be tectonic, glacial, volcanic, fluvial, coastal, artificial or formed by landslides. They may contain fresh, brackish or saline water, so terms such as lake, lagoon, reservoir and wetland should not be used interchangeably.

ASambhar Lake
BWular Lake
CChilika Lake
DVembanad Lake
Correct Answer: Chilika LakeYour Answer: C

Explanation

atch the river basin, lake type, location, tributary relationship, project or hydrological feature specified in the question. Option D (“Vembanad Lake”) is incorrect because it does not match the river basin, lake type, location, tributary relationship, project or hydrological feature specified in the question. Similar names may belong to another tributary, lake class, state or project. Therefore the correct option, index and explanation consistently identify Chilika Lake. Chilika Lake in Odisha is the largest natural lake in India (and the largest coastal lagoon in Asia). It is a brackish water lagoon separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow sand ridge. Being the first Ramsar site in India (1981), it has immense ecological importance.

Important Notes

  • Chilika Lake lies across the coastal districts of Odisha and is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow sandy barrier; a sea channel maintains its brackish-water character.
  • It was designated a Ramsar Site in 1981. The wetland supports migratory waterbirds, aquatic biodiversity, fisheries and the livelihoods of communities living around the lagoon.
  • Chilika is a coastal lagoon, whereas Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is an inland saline lake. Chilika Lake should not be confused with Sambhar Lake in classification questions.
  • Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is a freshwater lake linked with the Jhelum River. It belongs to a Himalayan river setting and is not a coastal lagoon.
  • Vembanad Lake is part of Kerala’s backwater system and hosts the Nehru Trophy Boat Race near Alappuzha. Vembanad should not be confused with Chilika when the clue asks for India’s largest coastal lagoon.

Related Questions

View All
14333-which-river-is-the-source-of-the-polavaram-projectWhich river is the source of the Polavaram Project?14332-which-river-flows-through-the-corbett-national-parkWhich river flows through the Corbett National Park?14331-which-river-in-india-is-known-for-the-gangasagar-melaWhich river in India is known for the 'Gangasagar Mela'?
Next Question

Test your Rivers and Lakes knowledge

Start Topic Test

FAQ

Rivers and Lakes FAQs

Common questions and clear answers for this topic.

What are the major rivers of India and which are the longest?

Major rivers of India: Ganga (2525 km, longest in India), Godavari (1465 km, longest peninsular river), Krishna (1400 km), Yamuna (1376 km), Narmada (1312 km), Indus (1114 km in India). Rivers are classified as Himalayan rivers (perennial, fed by glaciers) and Peninsular rivers (mostly seasonal). The Ganga basin is the largest river basin in India.

नदियाँ और झीलें

नदियाँ और झीलें

भारत की प्रमुख नदियों, सहायक नदियों, नदी घाटियों और महत्वपूर्ण झीलों को परीक्षा-केंद्रित प्रश्नों के साथ पढ़ें।

भारत की नदियाँ और झीलें: महत्वपूर्ण GK प्रश्न

भारत की प्रमुख नदियों, सहायक नदियों, नदी घाटियों और महत्वपूर्ण झीलों पर UPSC, SSC, रेलवे और राज्य PCS के उपयोगी प्रश्न पढ़ें।

भारत की नदियाँ और झीलें, भारतीय नदियाँ जीके, महत्वपूर्ण झीलें, नदी घाटी प्रश्न

What are the largest lakes in the world?

World's largest freshwater lakes: Lake Superior (largest by area, Canada-USA), Lake Baikal (deepest, Russia), Lake Victoria (Africa). Caspian Sea is actually saltwater - largest lake by area. In India: Wular Lake (J&K) is largest freshwater lake. Chilika Lake (Odisha) is largest brackish water lake and important Ramsar wetland site. These are common GK questions in competitive exams.

Same Topic MCQs

View All
Which river is the source of the Polavaram Project?Which river flows through the Corbett National Park?Which river in India is known for the 'Gangasagar Mela'?