Previous Year Question

Only Harike Wetland–confluence of the Beas and Sutlej is correctly matched.

1. Harike Wetland–Beas and Sutlej: Correct

• Harike Wetland is situated at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers in Punjab.

• It is also known as Harike Lake or Harike Pattan.

• The shallow reservoir and wetland developed after the construction of Harike Barrage on the Sutlej in 1952-53.

• It extends across the Tarn Taran and Firozpur regions of Punjab.

• Canal systems such as the Rajasthan or Indira Gandhi Canal and the Firozpur Feeder receive water from Harike.

• It is an important human-made wetland of northern India.

• It was designated a Ramsar Site in 1990.

• It provides an important habitat for migratory waterbirds, fish, turtles and other aquatic organisms.

• Invasive water hyacinth, agricultural runoff, siltation and pollution are among its principal environmental threats.

2. Keoladeo Ghana–Banas and Chambal: Incorrect

• Keoladeo Ghana National Park is situated in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, not Madhya Pradesh.

• It was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

• It is not situated at the confluence of the Banas and Chambal.

• Its hydrology is associated with the floodplains of the Gambhir and Banganga rivers and the Ajan Bund.

• It is not a completely natural lake but a historically developed and regulated shallow, human-managed wetland.

• The rulers of Bharatpur formerly managed the area as a waterfowl-hunting reserve.

• It was designated a Ramsar Site in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

• It was historically famous as a wintering habitat of the Siberian crane.

Actual relationship of the Banas and Chambal

• The Banas originates in the Khamnor Hills of the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan.

• It flows entirely through Rajasthan before joining the Chambal.

• This confluence is not situated inside Keoladeo Ghana National Park.

Therefore, Pair 2 is incorrect.

3. Kolleru Lake–Musi and Krishna: Incorrect

• Kolleru Lake is situated in Andhra Pradesh between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers.

• It is not located at the confluence of the Musi and Krishna.

• Kolleru is a natural, shallow freshwater lake.

• It is principally fed by the Budameru and Tammileru rivers and smaller streams.

• Excess water drains towards the Bay of Bengal through the Upputeru outlet.

• The lake acts as a natural flood-balancing reservoir between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.

• It was designated a Ramsar Site in 2002.

• It supports migratory birds, particularly pelicans and other waterbirds.

• Encroachment by fish ponds and aquaculture, pollution and changes in water flow have affected its ecology.

Actual relationship of the Musi River

• The Musi originates in the Ananthagiri Hills of Telangana.

• It flows through Hyderabad.

• It subsequently joins the Krishna in Telangana.

• This confluence has no connection with Kolleru Lake.

Therefore, Pair 3 is incorrect.