Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 79

Lake Chilika lies in the state of .....

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the coastal states of India.

Correct Answer: B) Orissa

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Lake Chilika is a significant geographical feature located in the state of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa) on the east coast of India. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and is recognized for its ecological importance and rich biodiversity. The lake is a brackish water lagoon, which means it is a partially enclosed coastal body of water that has a free connection to the open sea and is subject to tidal currents and mixing of seawater with freshwater.

Understanding the geographical location of Lake Chilika is important for several reasons. First, it helps in identifying the state boundaries and the geographical features of the eastern coast of India. Second, it is a key landmark for students studying Indian geography and for those preparing for competitive examinations such as the UPSC, SSC, and State PSC, where questions on geographical features are common.

It is important to note that the state of Orissa was officially renamed to Odisha in 2011. Therefore, while the question uses the older name "Orissa," the correct answer is still the state of Odisha. This change in the state's name can sometimes lead to confusion, but it is essential to be aware of such changes when studying geography.

Other coastal states in India, such as Gujarat, Bihar, and Maharashtra, do not have Lake Chilika within their boundaries. Gujarat is located on the western coast of India, Bihar is an inland state without a coastline, and Maharashtra, while it does have a coastline, does not include Lake Chilika within its territory. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that Lake Chilika lies in the state of Orissa (Odisha).

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Gujarat is incorrect because Lake Chilika is not located in Gujarat. Gujarat is a state on the western coast of India, while Lake Chilika is on the eastern coast.
  • Option B: Orissa (now known as Odisha) is the correct answer. Lake Chilika is located in the state of Odisha, which was formerly known as Orissa. It is a significant geographical feature of the state.
  • Option C: Bihar is incorrect because Lake Chilika is not located in Bihar. Bihar is a state in the eastern part of India, but it does not have a coastline and is not known for having a major lake like Chilika.
  • Option D: Maharashtra is incorrect because Lake Chilika is not located in Maharashtra. Maharashtra is a state on the western coast of India, and while it has several lakes, Lake Chilika is not one of them.

Mnemonic: Chilika is close to the Chilika, a coastal feature.

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