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UPSC Prelims 2012 · Environment · Wild Places
With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
- In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 only
Gujarat leads; inland wetlands are far larger than coastal ones.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT Gujarat has the largest wetland area (about 23% of India’s total), thanks to the Rann of Kutch and its long coast.
2. ✗ WRONG Inland wetlands (lakes, rivers, reservoirs, tanks) cover about 10.6 million ha; coastal ones about 4.1 million ha.
The idea
“Wetland” is a wide word. It covers rivers, lakes, reservoirs, village tanks and marshes as well as mangroves, lagoons, mudflats and salt pans. India has a great many rivers, dams and tanks, so inland wetlands add up to much more area than coastal ones.
Gujarat has the longest coastline of any State → Plus the Rann of Kachchh, a huge seasonal salt marsh → So Gujarat has the largest wetland area
Why the others are wrong
(c) Accepts that coastal wetlands are larger — India’s rivers, reservoirs and tanks add up to much more.
The trap
India’s long coast makes coastal wetlands feel bigger.
Also know
The figures come from the National Wetland Atlas prepared by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre. India’s largest Ramsar site is the Sundarbans, and Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites of any State.
🔒 Wetlands (Atlas 2011): ~4.6% of India; Gujarat largest; inland ≈ 70%, coastal ≈ 27%.