UPSC Prelims 2015 Q9: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation
that supports a rich biodiversity?
- (a) Bhitarkanika National Park
- (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
- (c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
- (d) Sultanpur National Park
Answer: (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
Explanation
Swamp national park with floating vegetation
Keibul Lamjao National Park lies on Loktak Lake in Manipur.
It is the world's only floating national park.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Floating vegetation | Phumdis: thick mats of soil, plants and organic matter |
| Flagship animal | Sangai, the brow-antlered or 'dancing' deer, found only here |
| Lake | Loktak, a Ramsar site, the largest freshwater lake in north-east India |
The other parks:
| Park | State | Type |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Bhitarkanika | Odisha | Mangrove forest; saltwater crocodile |
| (c) Keoladeo Ghana | Rajasthan | Man-made wetland; bird sanctuary |
| (d) Sultanpur | Haryana | Small bird wetland |
Answer: (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Bhitarkanika is a mangrove park, not a swamp with floating vegetation.
- (b) CORRECT. Keibul Lamjao is a swamp of floating vegetation (phumdis) on Loktak Lake.
- (c) Incorrect. Keoladeo Ghana is a shallow bird wetland in Rajasthan.
- (d) Incorrect. Sultanpur is a small bird park in Haryana.
Key point
Keibul Lamjao (Loktak Lake, Manipur): only floating national park; phumdis; home of the Sangai deer.
Remember
Keibul Lamjao = floating park of Manipur.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Keoladeo, the best-known wetland park.
- Forgetting the word phumdi for the floating mats.
- Placing Loktak Lake in Assam or Meghalaya; it is in Manipur.
Exam tip
Floating = phumdi = Loktak = Keibul Lamjao = Sangai.
Sources
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — Loktak Lake Ramsar site
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area (Tentative List)