In Indian hill tourism, which place in Uttarakhand is popularly known as the "Lake District of India" because of its group of beautiful lakes?

Introduction / Context:
Several hill stations in India are associated with special nicknames that relate to their geography and tourist appeal. One such nickname is the "Lake District of India", which highlights a region known for multiple natural lakes set among hills. This question checks whether the learner can correctly identify the place most commonly described by this title in Indian geography and tourism literature.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The nickname in focus is "Lake District of India". • It refers to an area famous for a cluster of scenic lakes. • Options mention Nainital, Shimla, Sikkim, Matheran and Darjeeling. • We assume commonly used tourism descriptions for Indian hill regions.

Concept / Approach:
The Nainital region in Uttarakhand has several picturesque lakes such as Naini, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Sattal. Because of this concentration of lakes in and around Nainital, travel writers often call it the "Lake District of India". The approach is to remember that this nickname is specifically linked to Nainital, not to other hill stations with only one or two lakes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the special features of Nainital. It is famous for Naini Lake in the centre and several lakes short distances away. Step 2: Compare this with Shimla, which is known more for colonial buildings and mountain views than for multiple lakes. Step 3: Sikkim, Matheran and Darjeeling are also hilly, but their fame is usually for views of high peaks, tea gardens or forest walks rather than clusters of lakes. Step 4: Many guidebooks explicitly label the Nainital area as the Lake District of India. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is the Nainital region.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism brochures of Uttarakhand and Nainital repeatedly use the phrase Lake District of India for Nainital and nearby lakes. Geography and tourism based general knowledge questions commonly associate this nickname with Nainital. Checking maps confirms the unusual density of lakes around Nainital compared with many other hill stations.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shimla town: A famous hill station and former summer capital, but it does not have many natural lakes clustered around it. Sikkim Himalayas: Known for high mountains and some lakes, yet the nickname Lake District of India is not used for Sikkim. Matheran hill station: A small, vehicle free hill town near Mumbai, more famous for viewpoints than for lakes. Darjeeling hills: Famous for tea gardens and views of Kangchenjunga, not for a dense group of lakes.

Common Pitfalls:
People sometimes assume that any hill station with a well known lake, such as a Sikkim or Himachal destination, might be called the Lake District of India. Another mistake is to choose Darjeeling or Shimla because they are widely known, even though their identity is not lake based. Remembering that Nainital literally means city of Naini Lake and is surrounded by other lakes makes the nickname easy to connect.

Final Answer:
The place popularly known as the "Lake District of India" is the Nainital region in Uttarakhand.