Recently, thousands of birds were killed in the shoreline of which one of the following lakes of India by the infection of avian botulism, a deadly neuro-muscular illness ?

In late 2019, a massive die-off occurred at Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, where over 18,000 migratory birds were found dead. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) confirmed the cause as avian botulism, a deadly neuro-muscular illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

• The bacterium thrives in anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions, often triggered by fluctuating water levels and high alkalinity.
• The toxin affects the nervous system of birds, leading to paralysis in their legs and wings, eventually causing death.
• Sambhar Lake is India's largest inland saltwater lake and a designated Ramsar site, making it a critical habitat for migratory species like flamingos and stilts.

While other lakes listed (Haflong, Sukhna, Badkhal) are significant water bodies, they did not experience a mass mortality event specifically attributed to avian botulism on this scale.