UPSC Prelims 2023 Q5: Geography – Physical Geography & Geomorphology
Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to
present - day extensive marshland?
- (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- (b) Marakkanam Salt Pans
- (c) Naupada Swamp
- (d) Rann of Kutch
Answer: (d) Rann of Kutch
Explanation
Rann of Kutch — a marshland shaped by changing sea levels
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Location | Kutch district, Gujarat, along the India–Pakistan border |
| Origin | Once a shallow arm of the Arabian Sea; repeated falls in sea level and land uplift left it a vast salt marsh |
| Parts | Great Rann (larger, north) and Little Rann (south-east) |
| Monsoon | Floods with seawater and rainwater; dries to white salt flats in summer |
| Wildlife | Wild Ass Sanctuary (Little Rann) — the Indian wild ass (ghudkhur); flamingo city |
Other options compared:
| Option | Type | Why it is not the best example |
|---|---|---|
| Bhitarkanika | Mangrove forest, Odisha | Formed by river deltas (Brahmani, Baitarani), not a sea-level fall |
| Marakkanam | Salt pans, Tamil Nadu | Man-made salt works on the coast |
| Naupada | Swamp, Andhra Pradesh | Small coastal swamp; not a sea-level-fall marsh |
Answer: (d) Rann of Kutch.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Bhitarkanika is a deltaic mangrove forest formed by rivers, not by falling sea levels.
- (b) Incorrect. Marakkanam has man-made salt pans on the Tamil Nadu coast.
- (c) Incorrect. Naupada is a small coastal swamp in Andhra Pradesh.
- (d) CORRECT. The Rann of Kutch was once a sea inlet; repeated sea-level falls turned it into a huge salt marsh.
Key point
Rann of Kutch = former arm of the Arabian Sea turned salt marsh by sea-level fall and uplift; home of the Indian wild ass.
Remember
The Rann of Kutch was formed by repeated falls in sea level.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Bhitarkanika because it is a famous wetland; its origin is deltaic, not a sea-level fall.
- Thinking the Rann is a desert like the Thar; it is a seasonal salt marsh that floods in the monsoon.
- Mixing up the Great Rann and the Little Rann, which holds the Wild Ass Sanctuary.
Exam tip
'Repeated fall in sea level' = former sea floor now exposed. The Rann is India's best example.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 2 (Structure and Physiography)
- Gujarat Forest Department — Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch