RAS question
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, both Ramsar Sites, are in which state?
Correct answer: (C) Tamil Nadu.
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary are both Ramsar Sites in Tamil Nadu.
Explanation
The answer is Tamil Nadu. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's list of 80 Ramsar Sites in India as of 31 January 2024 places Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary at serial number 60 and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary at serial number 61 under Tamil Nadu. Both were designated as Ramsar Sites on 8 April 2022; Udhayamarthandapuram covers 44 hectares and Vedanthangal covers 40 hectares. For RAS, remember their state rather than their ecological features. Vedanthangal is an old and well-known heronry in India, while Udhayamarthandapuram in Tiruvarur district hosts thousands of migratory birds. Therefore, placing either sanctuary in a neighbouring southern state would be incorrect.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Andhra Pradesh is wrong because the ministry's Ramsar list records both bird sanctuaries under Tamil Nadu, not Andhra Pradesh.
- (B) Karnataka is wrong because its Ramsar Sites are listed separately, while both named bird sanctuaries are recorded under Tamil Nadu.
- (D) Kerala is wrong because its Ramsar Sites are listed separately, while both named bird sanctuaries are recorded under Tamil Nadu.
Concept
This question tests the state-wise identification of Ramsar Sites, a recurring Environment and Ecology area in RAS. Questions in this area often ask candidates to match sanctuaries and wetlands with their states, directly testing conservation geography. Tamil Nadu is especially important because it has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India.