UPSC CSE Prelims 2012
Statement 1 is correct. Gujarat possesses the largest proportion of India's total geographical area under wetlands. This is primarily due to its extensive coastline, vast tidal mudflats, significant mangrove areas, salt flats, and the unique Rann of Kutch ecosystem, which encompasses a wide variety of wetland types, both coastal and inland.
Statement 2 is incorrect. In India, inland wetlands constitute a larger geographical area compared to coastal wetlands. According to national assessments, such as the National Wetland Atlas, inland wetlands account for approximately 60% of the total wetland area, whereas coastal wetlands comprise about 27%. Therefore, the statement that coastal wetlands are larger than inland wetlands is factually incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because statement 2 is factually inaccurate; inland wetlands are more extensive than coastal wetlands in India.
Option (c) is incorrect as only statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.
Option (d) is incorrect because statement 1 is correct, making the option that neither statement is correct invalid.