UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 46: Environment and Ecology

With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements :

1.The country's total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
2.In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a1 only

b2 only

cBoth 1 and 2

dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

According to the National Wetland Atlas, Gujarat has the largest area under wetlands among Indian States, helped by its long coast, salt flats and the Rann. Inland wetlands cover roughly two-thirds or more of India's wetland area, with coastal wetlands only about a quarter, so the statement that coastal wetlands are larger is wrong.

1. Gujarat has the largest wetland area among the States.
2. Inland wetlands, not coastal wetlands, make up the larger share.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Gujarat has the largest wetland area among the States.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Inland wetlands, not coastal wetlands, make up the larger share.

Only (a) is left. This one needs every statement.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Correct: only the statement on Gujarat is right.
(b) Wrong: coastal wetlands are smaller in area than inland wetlands.
(c) Wrong: statement 2 is false, as inland wetlands cover more area.
(d) Wrong: statement 1 on Gujarat is correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.