Sambhar Lake
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Overview
Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India's largest inland saline lake and a source of salt.
It is a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance.
It lies about 80 km from Jaipur and spreads across Jaipur, Nagaur and Ajmer districts; the lake shrinks greatly in the dry season.
The Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari and Khandela streams drain into it.
It hosts flamingos in winter, and the large bird deaths of 2019 were linked to avian botulism. It was designated a Ramsar site in 1990.
It is a shallow lake.
It covers about 190–230 sq km.
Salt is made by evaporating its water.
It is a wetland of international importance.
Geography and key facts
- Rajasthan
- Largest inland saline lake in India
- Salt source; Ramsar site
- Near Jaipur
- Ramsar site since 1990
- 2019 bird deaths (avian botulism)
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on which city of Rajasthan it is nearest to (2004).
Note for UPSC
Rajasthan; India's largest inland saline lake, a salt source and Ramsar site. Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Rajasthan.
Expect questions on the type of lake (lagoon, freshwater, saline), its state and any Ramsar status.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2004 · Q62Lake Sambhar is nearest to which one of the following cities of Rajasthan?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Sambhar Lake.
Key facts
- Type
- Lake / lagoon · Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Rajasthan
- Coordinates
- 26.942°N, 75.076°E
26.942°N, 75.076°E
2 markers on the map - Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2004
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)