UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 73: Environment and Ecology
The first marine sanctuary in India, having within its bounds coral reefs, Mollusca, dolphins, tortoises and various kinds of sea birds, has been established in
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat was India's first marine sanctuary, declared in 1980 and later made a marine national park (1982). It has coral reefs, Mollusca, dolphins, turtles and many sea birds. The Sundarbans is a mangrove delta, Chilika is a brackish lagoon in Odisha, and Lakshadweep is a group of coral atolls.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The Sundarbans is a mangrove delta, not the first marine sanctuary.
- (b) Wrong. Chilika is a brackish-water lagoon.
- (c) Right. The Gulf of Kachchh was the first marine sanctuary.
- (d) Wrong. Lakshadweep is a group of coral atolls, not the first marine sanctuary.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.