The Main Lake wetland in Arunachal Pradesh state of India has been added to the global list of protected wetlands as a Ramsar site. This makes it the one hundred and eleventh such object in the country, and the first in the state to join the elite community for additional conservation and care.
The monsoon season brings a special charm to travel, as lakes, rivers, and green landscapes gain even more beauty. If you are planning a trip during this period and are looking for a memorable destination different from crowded ski resorts, the floating villages and islands of India can be an ideal choice. These places offer the opportunity to see natural beauty, enjoy a tranquil atmosphere, and experience local culture.
Below are some picturesque floating villages and islands in India that are worth exploring during the monsoons.
Kadammkudi Islands (Kerala)
The Kadammkudi Islands, located in the backwaters of Kerala, are a beautiful cluster of small villages. Their beauty is complemented by palm trees, rice fields, and quiet waterways. Here you can feel the simplicity of village life, observe the daily routine of fishermen, and stay in a guesthouse.
Floating villages of Loktak Lake (Manipur)
Loktak Lake in Manipur is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is known for its floating 'phumdis' (floating islands made of grass and vegetation) and the world's only floating national park. Local residents here depend on fishing and agriculture.
Villages on houseboats of Dal Lake (Kashmir)
The beautiful houseboats of Dal Lake are the calling card of Kashmir. Floating wooden houses, Shikara rides, and the floating market are of particular interest to tourists. During the monsoon season, the landscapes here become even more charming.
Munro Island (Kerala)
Located in the Kollam district of Kerala, Munro Island is situated at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. Backwater cruises, lush greenery, and a serene atmosphere make it a special place for nature lovers.
Floating village of Pulicat Lake (Tamil Nadu)
Pulicat Lake, the second-largest lagoon in India, is known for its fishing community and migratory birds. This place looks especially picturesque during the monsoons, being near Chennai.
Majuli (Assam)
Majuli, located in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, is one of the largest inhabited river islands in the world. The natural beauty, traditional bamboo houses, and rich culture of Assam provide tourists with unforgettable experiences.
Chilika Lake floating village (Odisha)
Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lake in India, is famous for its floating villages, small islands, and vast wetlands. The view becomes extremely attractive during the monsoons, and this place is particularly favored by nature and bird lovers.
On Thursday, India categorically rejected remarks made by Pakistan at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, calling them 'baseless and unjustified.'
New Delhi accused Islamabad of using the multilateral platform to spread 'state disinformation' and evade attention from its history of sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Ministry of External Affairs representative Randhir Jaiswal stated in response to media inquiries that 'the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will always be, are, and remain an integral part of India. Pakistan has no right to comment on this.'
Jaiswal also emphasized that India's position regarding the Indus Water Treaty remains unchanged: the treaty is suspended due to Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism, including the attack in Pahalgam. He added that 'the IWT will remain suspended until Pakistan verifiably and unequivocally ceases supporting cross-border terrorism.'
Furthermore, Jaiswal condemned Pakistan's practice of disseminating 'officially sponsored disinformation, often framed in religious terminology, such as the use of terms like 'Fitna al-Hindustan'.' He noted that this is 'a futile attempt by the Pakistani establishment to divert attention from its own internal crises and its well-documented role as a haven for global terrorist networks.'
He advised Pakistan that it would be better to 'dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism within its territory and sort out its affairs,' instead of pointing fingers at neighbors.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar led the Pakistani delegation at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum. There, he presented information to the session on Pakistan's role as a mediator in the conflict between Iran and the US, and called for dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace.
Dar also raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, calling for its resolution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, and expressed concern over India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty.
Punjab National Bank aims to be among the top one hundred global lenders within the next two years. This bank, which is India's third-largest state-owned bank by assets, is betting on accelerated lending growth and business expansion to strengthen its balance sheet.
Chief Executive Officer Ashok Chandra stated in an interview that, thanks to the current trajectory of growth, profitability, and asset quality, the bank is ready for significant development and improved valuation. He noted that the bank's efficiency and profitability indicators are in a favorable position.
According to Bloomberg data, Punjab National Bank ranks among the 125 largest banks globally. Currently, the global list of banks by total assets includes only the State Bank of India, the country's largest lender, and the private leader HDFC Bank Ltd.
PNB, which was previously heavily affected by the corporate bad debt crisis in India over the past decade, has cleaned up its financial figures and reoriented towards higher-yield segments. The bank's net profit grew more than threefold, reaching 52.5 billion rupees (US$545 million) from April to June, compared to the previous year when results worsened due to increased provisions.
The bank's balance sheet increased by almost 9% year-on-year, reaching 19.90 trillion rupees by the end of June. Chandra forecasts that this figure will double by 2030, reaching 48 trillion rupees, driven by the expansion of the loan portfolio and asset base.
The bank expects a revival in corporate borrowing, especially project financing, to stimulate lending growth after a period dominated by retail lending. Chandra reported that the expected lending growth of 13% in the current fiscal year will be supported by demand for corporate financing and acceleration of project loans.
These statements indicate the start of a capital expenditure cycle in the Indian private sector. Most private lenders reported double-digit growth in corporate loans last quarter, prompting banks to increase their share in large corporate loans.
PNB plans to diversify its income sources: wealth management services are scheduled to launch by October, and entry into corporate mergers and acquisitions financing is planned for the third quarter of the current fiscal year. This follows the Reserve Bank of India's decision to allow lenders to finance up to 75% of the acquisition cost in corporate takeovers.
Concurrently, PNB is intensifying efforts to attract foreign currency deposits through the central bank's temporary swap scheme. This program allows lenders to provide leverage, with many offering double-digit returns on these dollar deposits. The bank has already attracted about $425 million under this program and plans to increase the amount raised, aiming to attract over $2.5 billion by the end of September through partnerships with several global banks.
