RAS question
In which state/UT is Lonar Lake Ramsar site located?
Correct answer: (D) Maharashtra.
Lonar Lake Ramsar site is located in Maharashtra.
Explanation
Lonar Lake is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar framework, and the PIB release places it in Maharashtra. The PIB release groups Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar and Thane Creek as Ramsar sites from Maharashtra and locates Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, at Lonar in Buldhana district. Among Tamil Nadu, MP, Assam and Maharashtra, only Maharashtra matches the official location. Ramsar preparation depends on exact state-site matching, not just recognition of the wetland's name.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Tamil Nadu is wrong because the PIB release groups Lonar Lake with Ramsar sites from Maharashtra and locates it at Lonar in Buldhana district.
- (B) MP is wrong because the PIB release places Lonar Lake in Maharashtra, with Buldhana district as the specific location.
- (C) Assam is wrong because the PIB release identifies Lonar Lake as one of the Ramsar sites from Maharashtra, not Assam.
Concept
State-wise mapping of Ramsar wetlands belongs to Indian geography and environment. RAS repeatedly rewards exact official location recall, especially when the options differ only by state or UT.