The first marine sanctuary in India, having within its bounds coral reefs, mollusca, dolphins, tortoises and various kinds of sea birds, has been established in

Answer: (c) Gulf of Kachchh

The Gulf of Kutch Marine Sanctuary (1980) and National Park (1982), Jamnagar, has 42 islands with coral reefs.

The idea

Coral reefs in India are found in four areas: the Gulf of Kachchh, the Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first of them to be protected as a marine sanctuary and park was the Gulf of Kachchh, off Jamnagar in Gujarat.

Gulf of Kachchh (Gujarat): the first marine national park → Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu): 21 islands → Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Andaman) → Lakshadweep: coral atolls

Why the others are wrong

(a) The Sundarbans is a mangrove tiger reserve.

(b) Chilika is a lagoon, a bird sanctuary and Ramsar site.

(d) Lakshadweep has coral atolls, but not India’s first marine sanctuary.

The trap

Lakshadweep is India’s coral territory, so it tempts.

Also know

The Gulf of Kachchh reefs are the northernmost in India and survive in muddy water with a very large tidal range. The park’s islands also have mangroves.