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Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?
Explanation
Keibul Lamjao National Park, formed by the southern portion of Loktak Lake, is the only floating national park in the world.[1] The Loktak Lake has a unique ecosystem called 'Phumdi' (a Manipuri word meaning floating mats of soil and vegetation).[2] The park is a continuous mass of Phumdi occupying an area of 40 sq. km.[3] The park showcases rich biodiversity.[4]
This makes Keibul Lamjao National Park unique as a swamp with floating vegetation that supports rich biodiversity. The other options - Bhitarkanika (mangrove ecosystem), Keoladeo Ghana (wetland bird sanctuary), and Sultanpur (bird sanctuary) - are important protected areas but do not feature floating vegetation. The floating phumdi ecosystem of Keibul Lamjao is also the last natural habitat of the endangered Sangai deer (brow-antlered deer), making it ecologically significant.
Sources- [1] https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6086/
- [2] https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6086/
- [3] https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6086/
- [4] https://www.wii.gov.in/uploads/topics/ar-2022-23-detail-17527452724729.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Sitter' disguised as a specific ecology question. While the provenance skeleton flags it as web-heavy, the 'Floating Park' (Keibul Lamjao) is a staple fact in every standard Environment text (Shankar IAS, NCERT). The strategy is simple: memorize the 'Superlatives' (Largest, Only, First, Unique) of Indian geography.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? [A] Bhitarkanika National Park."
Why this source?
- Directly names Bhitarkanika National Park as the answer to the question about a swamp with floating vegetation supporting rich biodiversity.
- Explicitly links the park's uniqueness to being a swamp with floating vegetation and rich biodiversity.
- Directly names Bhitarkanika National Park as the answer to the question about a swamp with floating vegetation supporting rich biodiversity.
- Explicitly links the park's uniqueness to being a swamp with floating vegetation and rich biodiversity.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Major Mangroves of India > p. 52
Strength: 5/5
“Several parts of this mangrove have been cleared for paddy cultivation. Bhitarkanika along the coast of Odisha is the second largest mangrove of India, followed by the Godavari-Krishna mangrove. Te other important mangroves of India are Coondapur (Karnataka), Point Calimere and Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu), Loringa (Andhra Pradesh).”
Why relevant
States that Bhitarkanika along the coast of Odisha is the second largest mangrove of India (mangroves are a type of coastal swamp vegetation).
How to extend
A student could note that mangrove ecosystems are typically swampy, often with floating or water-adapted vegetation, and check coastal maps or satellite images of Odisha to see Bhitarkanika's swampy mangrove environment.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Marine protected Area > p. 33
Strength: 4/5
“Marine Protected Area (MPA) is 'any area of intertidal or sub-tidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated fora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which have been reserved by law or other efective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment'. Marine protected area ensures sustainable productivity of fsh, helps in the conservation of coral reefs, lagoons, estuaries, fauna and fora along the coast. Tere are 31 Marine Protected Areas in India consisting of 33 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries consist of the Gulf of Kachchh, Bhitarkanika National Park, and Bhitarkanika Sanctuary.”
Why relevant
Lists Bhitarkanika National Park as a Marine Protected Area, implying protection of intertidal/subtidal terrain and associated flora and fauna.
How to extend
Use the MPA definition (intertidal/subtidal + associated flora/fauna) and basic coastal geography to infer Bhitarkanika includes wet, waterlogged habitats that support diverse species, then verify with maps or species lists.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.5. COASTAL PROTECTED AREAS > p. 216
Strength: 4/5
“• It aims to protect and conserve the natural marine ecosystems in their pristine condition. • Marine Protected Area (MPA) as "any area of intertidal or sub tidal terrain, together with its overlaying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment" - IUCN. • r Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Kutch form one unit (one MPA). Similarly, Bhitarkanika National Park and Bhitarkanika Sanctuary are an integral part of one MPA. Thus, there are a total of 3 MPAs in India. • r MPAs cover less than 4.01 % of the total area of all Protected Areas of India.”
Why relevant
Notes Bhitarkanika National Park and Sanctuary form an integral part of one Marine Protected Area, reinforcing its coastal/wetland character and conservation focus.
How to extend
Combine this with standard knowledge that coastal MPAs commonly protect swampy mangrove areas and rich biodiversity; check regional habitat descriptions or imagery for floating vegetation presence.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Table 4.6-B Distinction between National Parks and Sanctuaries > p. 32
Strength: 3/5
“• National Parks: 1. National Parks enjoy greater degree of protection than sanctuaries; Sanctuaries: 1. Human interaction is allowed up to some extent in sanctuaries. • National Parks: 2. National parks have more than one ecosystem; Sanctuaries: 2. Sanctuaries generally have one ecosystem. • National Parks: 3. Grazing of livestock is prohibited; Sanctuaries: 3. Grazing of livestock and limited hunting of birds etc. is allowed in sanctuaries after taking permission from the competent authority. • National Parks: 4. National Parks are not focused on a particular species.; Sanctuaries: 4. Wildlife Sanctuaries may be created for a particular species like the turtles sanctuary at Bhitarkanika (Odi sha) • National Parks: 5.”
Why relevant
Mentions that sanctuaries may be created for particular species and gives the example of a turtle sanctuary at Bhitarkanika, suggesting the area supports notable wildlife.
How to extend
A student could infer that the habitat (likely wet/mangrove) sustains specialist fauna (e.g., turtles), and then consult species-habitat associations or maps to judge whether floating vegetation and swamp conditions are present.
INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation > Littoral and Swamp Forests > p. 45
Strength: 3/5
“India has a rich variety of wetland habitats. About 70 per cent of this comprises areas under paddy cultivation. The total area of wet land is 3.9 million hectares. Two sites — Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) are protected as water-fowl habitats under the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). An international convention is an agreement among member states of the United Nations.”
Why relevant
Describes India's variety of wetland habitats and notes protected water‑fowl sites, establishing that India conserves wet, marshy systems which can harbour rich biodiversity.
How to extend
Apply this general rule to Bhitarkanika (already identified as major mangrove/wetland) and use basic external resources (coastal location, Ramsar/MPA listings, imagery) to evaluate presence of swampy/floating vegetation and biodiversity.
States that Bhitarkanika along the coast of Odisha is the second largest mangrove of India (mangroves are a type of coastal swamp vegetation).
A student could note that mangrove ecosystems are typically swampy, often with floating or water-adapted vegetation, and check coastal maps or satellite images of Odisha to see Bhitarkanika's swampy mangrove environment.
Lists Bhitarkanika National Park as a Marine Protected Area, implying protection of intertidal/subtidal terrain and associated flora and fauna.
Use the MPA definition (intertidal/subtidal + associated flora/fauna) and basic coastal geography to infer Bhitarkanika includes wet, waterlogged habitats that support diverse species, then verify with maps or species lists.
Notes Bhitarkanika National Park and Sanctuary form an integral part of one Marine Protected Area, reinforcing its coastal/wetland character and conservation focus.
Combine this with standard knowledge that coastal MPAs commonly protect swampy mangrove areas and rich biodiversity; check regional habitat descriptions or imagery for floating vegetation presence.
Mentions that sanctuaries may be created for particular species and gives the example of a turtle sanctuary at Bhitarkanika, suggesting the area supports notable wildlife.
A student could infer that the habitat (likely wet/mangrove) sustains specialist fauna (e.g., turtles), and then consult species-habitat associations or maps to judge whether floating vegetation and swamp conditions are present.
Describes India's variety of wetland habitats and notes protected water‑fowl sites, establishing that India conserves wet, marshy systems which can harbour rich biodiversity.
Apply this general rule to Bhitarkanika (already identified as major mangrove/wetland) and use basic external resources (coastal location, Ramsar/MPA listings, imagery) to evaluate presence of swampy/floating vegetation and biodiversity.
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