If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit ?
- (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- (b) Chambal River ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Pulicat Lake
- (d) Deepor Beel
Why the answer is (b)
• The gharial, a critically endangered fish-eating crocodilian, survives mainly in the Chambal river, where the National Chambal Sanctuary (MP–Rajasthan–UP) holds over 75% of the wild population — option (b).
• Smaller populations exist in the Girwa (Katarniaghat), Son and Gandak rivers.
• Bhitarkanika (a) has saltwater crocodiles; Pulicat (c) is a brackish lagoon; Deepor Beel (d) is a bird wetland in Assam.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- Bhitarkanika is home to saltwater crocodiles, not gharials.
- (c) Pulicat Lake
- Pulicat is a brackish lagoon without gharials.
- (d) Deepor Beel
- Deepor Beel is a bird sanctuary in Assam.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.