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RAS question

India's largest saltwater lake is:

Correct answer: (D) Chilika Lake, Odisha.

Chilika Lake in Odisha is India's largest brackish-water lagoon and the largest brackish-water lagoon in Asia.

  1. (A)

    Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan

  2. (B)

    Pulicat Lake, AP/Tamil Nadu

  3. (C)

    Vembanad Lake, Kerala

  4. (D)

    Chilika Lake, Odisha

Explanation

Chilika Lake in Odisha is the large brackish-water lagoon commonly treated in Indian geography as India's largest saltwater lake. The Press Information Bureau, Government of India identifies Chilika as the largest brackish-water lagoon in Asia and notes its unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity. Chilika covers about 1,100 sq km in winter, has been a Ramsar site since 1981, hosts millions of migratory birds, supports Irrawaddy dolphins, and includes Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. For RAS, Chilika connects size-based physical geography with wetlands, biodiversity and conservation.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Sambhar Lake is the largest inland salt lake, so it is a different category from Chilika's brackish-water coastal lagoon.
  • (B) Pulicat Lake is India's second-largest brackish-water lagoon, which places it below Chilika.
  • (C) Vembanad Lake is a large lagoon in Kerala, but it is smaller than Chilika.

Concept

Indian geography covers major lakes, wetlands and brackish-water lagoons. RAS often connects one location with physical geography, Ramsar wetlands, biodiversity and protected areas.

Source

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