Question

UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/dried up the recent past due to human activities?

Aral Sea

Black Sea

Lake Baikal

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 2 only
4. 1 and 3

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1: 1 only

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The Aral Sea lake, has been reduced to 25 percent of its size from the 1960s. Since then, the rivers that fed it, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, have been re-routed to feed cotton production, and this has led to a shocking drop in water levels.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Climate Change

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