Q. With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements :- The country's total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
- In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2012)
Answer:
1 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[A] 1 only. Wetland distribution in India is mapped and analyzed by the Space Applications Centre (SAC) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment.
- Wetland area in Gujarat (Statement 1 is Correct): Gujarat has the largest area under wetlands in India, accounting for approximately 22.7% of the country's total wetland area. This is primarily due to its long coastline and the vast seasonal saline wetlands of the Rann of Kachchh. Other states with significant wetland areas include Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, but they remain behind Gujarat in total acreage.
- Coastal vs. Inland Wetlands (Statement 2 is Incorrect): In India, inland wetlands actually cover a larger geographical area than coastal wetlands. According to the National Wetland Atlas, inland wetlands (which include lakes, ponds, oxbow lakes, reservoirs, and tanks) account for approximately 69% of the total wetland area, while coastal wetlands (including mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, and creeks) account for about 27%. The remaining small percentage is attributed to other wetland categories.
Key Statistics of Indian Wetlands:| Category | Percentage of Total Wetland Area |
| Inland Wetlands | ~69% |
| Coastal Wetlands | ~27% |
| Highest State Area | Gujarat |