Question
UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:
If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 2: Chambal River
Detailed Solution
Explanation:
- Gharial prefers deep fast flowing rivers, however adult gharial have also been observed in still water branches (jheel) of rivers and in comparatively velocity-free aquatic environments of deep holes (kunds) at river bends and confluences.
- Historically, gharial were found in the river system of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and southern part of Bhutan and Nepal. Today they survive only in the waters of India and Nepal.
- The surviving population can be found within the tributaries of the Ganges river system:
- Girwa (Uttar Pradesh)
- Son (Madhya Pradesh)
- Ramganga (Uttarakhand)
- Gandak (Bihar)
- Chambal (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan)
- Mahanadi (Orissa)
Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.
Subject: Environment | Biodiversity and Conservation
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