National Parks & WLS — Geography of the State

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2019

East Kolkata wetlands have been declared as

A. Biodiversity site

B. Tourist site

C. World Heritage site

D. Ramsar site

Explanation

Why Correct: The East Kolkata Wetlands received Ramsar site designation on August 19, 2002, under the Ramsar Convention for wetland conservation.
Distractor Analysis: Biodiversity site is a broad classification not specific to the 2002 declaration. Tourist site denotes locations developed for visitor attraction, lacking the formal conservation status. World Heritage site is a UNESCO designation for globally significant cultural or natural sites, which the East Kolkata Wetlands do not possess.
Takeaway: The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is an intergovernmental treaty focused on wetland preservation and wise use, with over 2,400 sites worldwide.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2016

Singlila National park located in which of the districts of West Bengal ?

A. Darjeeling

B. Alipurduar

C. Cooch Bihar

D. Uttar Dinajpur

Explanation

Why Correct: Singalila National Park is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, covering an area of 78.60 sq km along the India-Nepal border.
Distractor Analysis: Alipurduar district contains Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve. Cooch Bihar district has no national parks, only wildlife sanctuaries like Rasikbil. Uttar Dinajpur district contains no national parks, with conservation areas limited to smaller wildlife sanctuaries.
Takeaway: Singalila National Park is home to the endangered Red Panda and was declared a national park in 1992, featuring the highest peak in West Bengal, Sandakphu (3,636 m).

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2012

East Kolkata Wetlands has been declared as a

A. World Heritage site

B. Ramsar site

C. Biodiversity site

D. None of the above

Explanation

Why Correct: The East Kolkata Wetlands were designated as a Ramsar site on August 19, 2002, under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Distractor Analysis: World Heritage sites are designated by UNESCO for cultural or natural significance, which these wetlands are not. Biodiversity site is a generic term, not a formal designation with specific criteria. None of the above is incorrect because the Ramsar designation is factual.
Takeaway: India's first Ramsar site was Chilika Lake, designated in 1981.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2009

The East Calcutta Wetlands have been declared as a

A. Ramsar Site

B. Biosphere Reserve

C. Reserve Forest

D. National Park

Explanation

Why Correct: The East Calcutta Wetlands gained Ramsar Site designation on August 19, 2002, under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Distractor Analysis: Biosphere Reserves in West Bengal include Sundarbans and parts of the Eastern Himalayas. Reserve Forest status applies to areas like Jaldapara and Mahananda. National Parks in the state include Sundarbans, Neora Valley, and Singalila.
Takeaway: The East Calcutta Wetlands serve as a natural sewage treatment system through solar algae ponds and fish cultivation, processing about 750 million liters of Kolkata's wastewater daily.

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Q.5

WBCS Prelims 2003

The place in West Bengal declared by the UN in 1989 as the World Heritage site is

A. The mangrove forests of Sundarban

B. The terracotta temples of Bankura

C. The ecosystem of the Darjeeling hills

D. The forests of Jaldapara

Explanation

Why Correct: UNESCO declared the Sundarbans mangrove forests a World Heritage Site in 1989 for their unique biodiversity and tiger habitat.
Distractor Analysis: The terracotta temples of Bankura are recognized for architectural heritage but not as UNESCO sites. Darjeeling hills have cultural significance but no UNESCO World Heritage designation. Jaldapara forests are a wildlife sanctuary but not a UNESCO site.
Takeaway: West Bengal has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Sundarbans National Park (1989) and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999).

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