Which lake in India is known for having very high salinity due to extensive natural salt deposits?

Introduction / Context:
Lakes in India differ widely in their origin, water chemistry and economic importance. This question focuses on a famous salt lake that has very high salinity and is an important source of common salt. Recognising such special features of key water bodies is important for both examinations and general understanding of Indian physical geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks specifically for a lake of India that has very high salinity.
• Four options are given Sambhar, Wular, Chilika and Pulicat, each located in a different state.
• No numerical data is provided, so the answer is based on qualitative knowledge of lake types.
• We assume the standard classification where Sambhar Lake is treated as India's largest inland salt lake.

Concept / Approach:
Saline lakes have high concentrations of dissolved salts, often because they have no outlet and are located in arid or semi arid regions. Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is a classic example of an inland salt lake with very high salinity and a long history of salt production. The key approach is to recall that Wular, Chilika and Pulicat are primarily freshwater or brackish lakes or lagoons, whereas Sambhar is famous specifically as a salt lake.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Sambhar Lake as an inland lake located in Rajasthan, to the south west of Jaipur, in a semi arid region.Step 2: Recall that Sambhar Lake has large reserves of salt in its bed and has been used for commercial salt extraction for many years, which indicates high salinity.Step 3: Compare this with Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, which is primarily a freshwater lake formed by tectonic processes.Step 4: Also note that Chilika and Pulicat are coastal lagoons influenced by seawater, but their standard exam description does not emphasise very high salinity in the same way as Sambhar.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any reliable geography text that lists important Indian lakes will state that Sambhar Lake is the largest inland salt lake and an important salt producing area. This directly confirms its high salinity status. Checking maps that mark salt pan areas in Rajasthan further supports the conclusion that Sambhar is the correct choice among the given options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is mainly a freshwater lake fed by rivers like the Jhelum and is not known for extreme salinity. Chilika Lake in Odisha is a large brackish water lagoon connected to the Bay of Bengal and is famous for biodiversity rather than very high salt content. Pulicat Lake on the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast is another lagoon with brackish water influenced by the sea, but again its salinity is not highlighted in examinations as being as extreme as that of Sambhar.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to assume that any lagoon near the sea automatically has the highest salinity, which leads some learners to choose Chilika or Pulicat. Another mistake is to mix up Sambhar with other lakes in Rajasthan, such as saline depressions or seasonal water bodies, without remembering its specific significance as a major salt lake. Revising the list of famous lakes along with their key features helps avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
The lake of India that has very high salinity is Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, which is a major inland salt lake and salt producing centre.