UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Industrial salt pans threaten Sambhar Lake’s survival

Q1. With reference to Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) and Chilika Lake (Odisha), both Ramsar sites, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Both lakes were designated as Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance in the same year.
2. Sambhar Lake is an inland hypersaline wetland whereas Chilika Lake is a brackish coastal lagoon.
3. Both lakes lie on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory water birds.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Across how many districts of Rajasthan does the Sambhar saline wetland (Ramsar site) extend?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Q3. With reference to the geography of Sambhar Lake, consider the following districts: Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a district across which the Sambhar saline wetland extends?

1. Nagaur
2. Ajmer
3. Sikar
4. Jaipur

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 2 only
• C. 4 only
• D. 3 and 4

Q4. In the context of migratory bird conservation associated with Sambhar Lake, the term 'Central Asian Flyway' refers to which one of the following?

• A. One of the world's nine major migratory bird flyways linking Arctic breeding grounds with wintering areas in South Asia and the Indian Ocean
• B. A regional civil aviation corridor agreement among Central Asian republics
• C. A meteorological wind belt that drives the south-west monsoon over the Indian subcontinent
• D. An ancient overland trade route connecting India with the Central Asian khanates

Q5. Which one of the following is the largest inland saltwater (saline) lake in India?

• A. Chilika Lake
• B. Pulicat Lake
• C. Wular Lake
• D. Sambhar Lake