UPSC Prelims 2009 Q4: Environment & Ecology – Water & Wetland Conservation

UPSC Prelims 2009, General Studies Paper I · Environment & Ecology

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

Answer: (d) Rajasthan

Explanation

India's largest inland saline wetland

Among Indian states, one hosts a particularly well-known saline wetland formation.

Option	Verdict	Reason
(a) Gujarat	Incorrect	Gujarat has notable salt flats (Rann of Kutch), but not this specific largest inland saline wetland designation
(b) Haryana	Incorrect	Not known for hosting India's largest such wetland
(c) Madhya Pradesh	Incorrect	Also not associated with this specific designation
(d) Rajasthan	Correct	Sambhar Salt Lake in Rajasthan is India's largest inland saline wetland, historically important for salt production

Sambhar Lake facts:

Point	Detail
Location	Rajasthan
Nature	Largest inland saline wetland in India
Significance	Major salt production site, also a Ramsar site

Answer: (d) Rajasthan.

(a) Incorrect. Gujarat's Rann of Kutch is a different kind of salt-flat formation, not this specific inland saline wetland designation.
(b) Incorrect. Haryana is not known for hosting this wetland.
(c) Incorrect. Madhya Pradesh is also not associated with this designation.
(d) CORRECT. Rajasthan's Sambhar Lake is India's largest inland saline wetland.

Rajasthan's Sambhar Salt Lake is India's largest inland saline wetland, a major salt-production site and Ramsar-designated area.

India's largest inland saline wetland: Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan.

Confusing Rajasthan's Sambhar Lake with Gujarat's Rann of Kutch, a different kind of salt formation.
Not knowing Sambhar Lake's specific 'largest inland saline wetland' designation.
Assuming wetlands are generally associated with wetter states, missing this arid-region exception.

Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan = India's largest inland saline wetland, distinct from Gujarat's coastal Rann of Kutch.