Vembanad Lake
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Overview
Vembanad in Kerala is the longest lake in India, a kayal of the Malabar coast, the venue of the Nehru Trophy boat race and a Ramsar site.
It is the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, spread across Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
The Thanneermukkom barrage was built to stop salt water from entering paddy fields in Kuttanad.
The Nehru Trophy boat race is held on the Punnamada part of the lake.
It is a Ramsar site.
The Ramsar site, Vembanad-Kol, covers about 1,512 sq km.
Kumarakom bird sanctuary is on its banks.
The lake supports below-sea-level farming in Kuttanad.
Geography and key facts
- Kerala
- Longest lake
- Ramsar site
- Longest lake in India
- Thanneermukkom barrage
- Nehru Trophy boat race
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on lakes.
Note for UPSC
Kerala; the longest lake in India, site of the Nehru Trophy boat race; a Ramsar site.
Expect questions on the type of lake (lagoon, freshwater, saline), its state and any Ramsar status.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Vembanad Lake yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Lake / lagoon
- State / UT
- Kerala
- Coordinates
- 9.850°N, 76.350°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.