Consider the following statements regarding Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary:...
Explanation:
The correct answer is option 'B' - Statement 2 only.
Statement 1: Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the foothills of the northeastern Himalayas.
Statement 2: It was developed as a result of afforestation done for soil conservation around Sukhna Lake.
Explanation of Statement 1:
Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is actually located in the state of Chandigarh, which is a Union Territory in northern India. It is situated at the foothills of the Shivalik range, which is a part of the Himalayas. The Shivalik range runs parallel to the main Himalayan range and is known for its rich biodiversity. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
Explanation of Statement 2:
Sukhna Lake is a man-made reservoir located in Chandigarh. It was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream. The purpose of creating Sukhna Lake was not soil conservation, but rather to serve as a recreational area and a source of drinking water for the city. The lake attracts a large number of migratory birds and has become an important habitat for various species of flora and fauna. However, the development of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary was not a direct result of afforestation done for soil conservation around Sukhna Lake. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.
In conclusion, only statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is option 'B' - 2 only.
Consider the following statements regarding Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary:...
At least six megaprojects came into existence within the radius of 10 km of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and City Bird Sanctuary without obtaining the Wildlife Clearance Certificate (WCC) between 2017 and 2023, as per recent findings.
About Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Location: It is located at the foothills of the Shivalik range in Chandigarh.
- It forms part of the Sukhna Lake catchment area falling in the Shivalik Hills.
- The sanctuary was developed as a result of afforestation done for soil conservation around Sukhna Lake. It came into existence in March 1998 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Spanning over an area of 2600 hectares, the place is quite unstable geographically and becomes prone to soil erosion by surface runoff during rains.
- It has sandy soil of Shivalik with pockets of clay embedded at places.
- Apart from the Sukhna Lake, there are around 150small and large water bodies in the sanctuary that form its catchment area.
- Vegetation: It is characterized by a mix of forests, grasslands, and wetlands, with the Sukhna Lake forming an important part of the ecosystem.
- Flora: The common flora of the sanctuary includes Khair, Phulai, Kikar, Shisham, Moonj, Amaltas, Jhingan, Amla, Rati, Vasaka, and many more.
- Fauna:
- Squirrel, Common-Mongoose, Indian Hare, Porcupine, JungleCat, Jackal, Wild boar, etc are the mammals found in the sanctuary.
- Peacock, Hill myna, Jungle crow, Black drongo, Parrots, Doves, and others are the common birds of this region. Migratory birds also flock around this place.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
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