Ramsar Wetland Sites — Set 9

Correct Answer: B. Meteorite impact crater

Lonar Lake is located inside a meteorite impact crater, formed approximately 50,000 years ago. It is one of only four known hyper-velocity meteorite impact craters in basaltic rock in the world. The crater lake has unusual water chemistry — it is both saline and alkaline with a pH as high as 10.5. The lake was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2020 and supports unique extremophilic microorganisms.

Correct Answer: C. Indore

Yashwant Sagar is located in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is a reservoir on the Gambhir River and serves as an important water source for Indore city. The wetland supports populations of migratory waterbirds including bar-headed geese and common cranes during winter. It is named after King Yashwant Rao Holkar of the Holkar dynasty.

Correct Answer: C. Indore

Sirpur Wetland is located in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is a small urban lake that is an important habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds. The wetland supports over 100 bird species. Sirpur Lake has been restored through community efforts and is one of Indore's important green urban spaces.

Correct Answer: D. 2022

Pala Wetland in the Champhai district of Mizoram was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is a natural seasonal marshland unique to Mizoram that expands and contracts with seasonal rainfall. The wetland is an important habitat for endemic species and migratory birds. It was added to the Ramsar list as part of India's 2022 batch of 19 new sites and is managed by the local Mizo community.

Correct Answer: C. 4,250 m

Chandra Taal (Moon Lake) in the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh is located at an altitude of approximately 4,250 meters above sea level. It was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2005. The crescent-shaped lake is fed by glacial meltwater and is a pristine high-altitude wetland. It is part of the Chandra-Bhaga river system and is an important habitat for bar-headed geese and endemic alpine flora.

Correct Answer: C. Over 170

As of 2023, over 170 countries are Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, making it one of the most widely ratified international environmental treaties. The convention now has over 2,400 Ramsar sites worldwide covering over 254 million hectares. Almost every country in the world has joined the Ramsar Convention. The broad membership reflects the global recognition of the importance of wetland conservation.

Correct Answer: C. 2010

Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan was removed from the Montreux Record in 2010 after restoration efforts were made to address water supply issues. The park was placed on the Montreux Record in 2002 due to shortage of water caused by disputes between farmers and park management over the Ajan Bund reservoir. After agreements were reached and water supply improved, the site was removed from the record.

Correct Answer: B. Chilika Lake

Nalabana Bird Sanctuary is located within the Chilika Lake complex in Odisha. It is a small island (Nalabana means 'reed forest') that serves as a critical roosting and feeding area for thousands of migratory birds within Chilika Lake. When Chilika Lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1981, Nalabana was included as part of the larger wetland complex. The sanctuary is a declared Protected Area under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Correct Answer: C. Uttar Pradesh

Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary is located in the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2019. The sanctuary is centered around an ox-bow lake formed by the Yamuna River. It is an important habitat for the Sarus Crane, the world's tallest flying bird. The wetland also supports gharials and Gangetic dolphins in the adjacent Yamuna River.

Correct Answer: D. Uttar Pradesh

Saman Bird Sanctuary is located in the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2019. It is an ox-bow lake formed from an old meander of the Yamuna River. The sanctuary is particularly important for the Sarus Crane and Bar-headed Goose. It is one of the most important wetlands in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and supports large populations of resident and migratory waterbirds.