Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? [2015]

Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?

Bhitarkanika National Park
Keibul Lamjao National Park
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Sultanpur National Park

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

Keibul Lamjao National Park is the only floating park in the world. It is an integral part of Loktak Lake (a Ramsar site). The National Park is characterised by floating decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis. It was declared a National Park to preserve the natural refuge of brow-antlered deer (also called sangai, dancing deer & Manipurs’s Eld’s deer; EN).
Vegetation: semi-evergreen forests, aquatic, and wetland.
Major Fauna: brow-antlered deer, hog deer, large Indian civet, Asian golden cat.

Map of Northeast India highlighting protected areas including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves across seven states. Color-coded labels and boundaries mark locations such as Kaziranga NP-TR, Manas NP-TR, and Namdapha NP-TR, emphasizing biodiversity hotspots and conservation zones.

Option (a) is incorrect

Bhitarkanika National Park is the second Ramsar Site of Odisha after Chilika Lake.
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary separates the National Park from the Bay of Bengal. It is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani & Dhamra.
It hosts many mangrove species and is the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
Major Fauna: Saltwater (Estuarine) Crocodile (LC).
Major Flora: Mangrove species.

Map showing protected areas in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, including national parks (NP), wildlife sanctuaries (WLS), and tiger reserves (TR). Key locations like Guru Ghasidas NP, Indravati NP-TR, Satkosia TR, and Bhitarkanika NP are highlighted with color-coded labels and markers, indicating important conservation sites and wildlife habitats.

Option (c) is incorrect

Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, it is a freshwater swamp. It gets flooded during the monsoon. It is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season. It is a Ramsar Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vegetation: tropical dry deciduous forests, dry grasslands and wetlands.
It is the only regular wintering area in India for the Siberian crane (CR).
Major Avifauna: Migratory waterfowl, sarus crane (VU) (large non-migratory crane found in parts of India).
Major Fauna: Blackbuck, hog deer, chital deer, sambar.

Map of Rajasthan showing locations of national parks (NP), tiger reserves (TR), and wildlife sanctuaries (WLS) with labels in various colors such as purple for parks, green for sanctuaries, and red for tiger reserves. Key sites include Ranthambhore NP-TR, Sariska NP-TR, and Mukundra Hills NP-TR, highlighting protected areas and conservation zones across the state.

Option (d) is incorrect

Sultanpur National Park is a Ramsar Site located 15 km from Gurugram. The park is famous for migratory birds.
Major Migratory Avifauna: Siberian crane, greater flamingo, spot-billed pelican, wood sandpiper, grey heron.

Map showing wildlife sanctuaries (WLS), conservation reserves (CnR), and national parks (NP) across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi regions. Key locations are marked with green, red, and purple labels indicating various protected areas, with notable clusters around Kanjli, Ropar, and Sultampur, highlighting regional biodiversity hotspots.

Answer: (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park; Difficulty Level: Easy

2015, PYQs