Explain the use of saltwater lakes in India with particular reference to Sambhar and Chilika Lakes.
India has many lakes. These lakes differ from each other in size and other characteristics. Some are fresh water lakes, some contain water only in rainy season, some are lagoons in the coastal areas.
The uses of salt water lakes i.e. the Sambhar lake and the Chilika lake are as follows:
-
The Sambhar Lake It is India’s largest saline lake and has made Rajasthan the third largest salt producing state in India. It produces about 2 lakh tonnes of clean salt every year. Salt is produced by evaporation of brine. This lake is also recognised as a wetland of international importance because it is a key wintering area for flamingos and other birds that migrate from Northern Asia.
-
The Chilika Lake Chilika lake in Odisha is the largest brackish water lake in India. It is the winter ground for migratory birds of the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. It is an ecosystem with large fishery resources sustaining 150000 fishermen living nearby. It is a very popular tourist ’ destination and also an area for prawn culture.