UPSC Prelims 2015 GS Paper I · Q9 of 100 Environment & Ecology easy

Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?

  1. (a) Bhitarkanika National Park
  2. (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
  4. (d) Sultanpur National Park

Why the answer is (b)

• Keibul Lamjao National Park on Loktak Lake, Manipur, is the world's only floating national park: it consists of phumdis — floating mats of vegetation and soil — and is the last home of the endangered Sangai (brow-antlered deer) — option (b).

• Bhitarkanika (a) is a mangrove park; Keoladeo (c) a man-made wetland bird sanctuary; Sultanpur (d) a bird sanctuary in Haryana.

• Hence option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Bhitarkanika National Park
Bhitarkanika is a mangrove ecosystem, not a floating swamp.
(c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Keoladeo is a wetland bird park without floating phumdis.
(d) Sultanpur National Park
Sultanpur is a bird sanctuary in Haryana.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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