UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 4: Geography

In India, which one of the following States has the largest inland saline wetland?

aGujarat

bHaryana

cMadhya Pradesh

dRajasthan

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, west of Jaipur, is India's largest inland saline wetland. It is a shallow salt lake fed by seasonal rivers and is a major source of salt; it is a Ramsar site and winter home to flamingos and other migratory birds. Remember the pairing of Sambhar with Rajasthan. The other options do not host an inland saline lake of this size.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Gujarat has the Rann of Kutch and coastal wetlands, but Sambhar is the large inland saline lake in this set.
(b) Haryana's wetlands, such as Sultanpur, are freshwater and much smaller.
(c) Madhya Pradesh has freshwater lakes and reservoirs, not a large saline wetland.
(d) Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is the largest inland saline wetland.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.