Previous Year Question

The Rann of Kutch is an extensive seasonal saline marshy plain located in the north-western part of Gujarat.

It is mainly divided into two parts—the Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch.

This region was once a shallow marine area connected with the Arabian Sea.

Repeated changes in sea level, marine transgression and regression, deposition of river sediments and geological activities contributed to the development of its present form.

As the sea level fell, shallow marine areas were gradually separated from the sea and developed into saline marshy plains.

Historical changes in the courses of the Indus River and other rivers of the region also affected the hydrology and sedimentation of the Kutch region.

The region is seismically and tectonically active. Uplift and subsidence of the crust have altered the routes through which seawater enters and exits.

During the rainy season, a large part of the Rann becomes inundated by rainwater, river water and, in certain areas, tidal seawater.

During the dry season, intense evaporation dries the water and leaves a white salt crust on the surface.

This seasonal inundation and drying make it a distinctive saline-marsh ecosystem.

The Little Rann of Kutch is a major natural habitat of the Indian wild ass, while different parts of the Rann are important for migratory waterbirds and flamingos.

Bhitarkanika Mangroves are a mangrove ecosystem located in the estuarine and deltaic region of Odisha. Their formation is mainly associated with river sediments, tidal water and estuarine processes.

Marakkanam Salt Pans are areas on the Tamil Nadu coast associated with salt production through the evaporation of seawater or saline water.

Naupada Swamp is a coastal wetland, but it is not the best example of a present-day extensive marshland formed by repeated falls in sea level.

Therefore, the best example of repeated falls in sea level giving rise to present-day extensive marshland is the Rann of Kutch.