RAS question
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is located between India and:
Correct answer: (B) Sri Lanka.
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve lies between the south-eastern tip of India in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
Explanation
The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve lies between the south-eastern tip of India, in Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the country across this marine space from India, rather than a land-border neighbour or a more distant island group. The ecological context also fits a marine biosphere reserve, because the Gulf of Mannar is linked with coral reefs, seagrass beds and rich marine biodiversity. The place-name "Gulf of Mannar" connects Indian physical geography with the India-Sri Lanka maritime location and a coastal, marine protected area.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Bangladesh is on India's eastern side, while the Gulf of Mannar is located off Tamil Nadu between India and Sri Lanka.
- (C) Maldives is farther south in the Indian Ocean and is not the country across the Gulf of Mannar from India.
- (D) Myanmar is linked to India's eastern frontier, not to the Gulf of Mannar off the south-eastern tip of India.
Concept
Indian physical geography connects gulfs, neighbouring countries and protected marine ecosystems. RAS map locations often combine geography with environment topics such as biosphere reserves, coral reefs and seagrass beds.