Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland?

(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
(b) Marakkanam Salt Pans
(c) Naupada Swamp
(d) Rann of Kutch

Correct Answer: (d) Rann of Kutch

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Physical Geography | Geomorphology | Coastal & Marine Landforms | Sea-Level Changes

This question tests understanding of long-term geological processes, especially marine regression and emergence of coastal plains.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

The key phrase in the question is:

“Repeated falls in sea level”

This refers to:

• Marine regression
• Gradual withdrawal of the sea due to:
  • Tectonic uplift
  • Isostatic adjustments
  • Long-term climatic and geological changes

Now, examine the options.

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🔹 (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves ❌

• Located in Odisha
• A deltaic mangrove ecosystem
• Formed due to:
  • Sediment deposition
  • River–sea interaction
• Not due to repeated sea-level fall

✘ Not correct

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🔹 (b) Marakkanam Salt Pans ❌

• Artificially developed salt-evaporation pans
• Human-made landscape
• Not a geomorphological outcome of sea-level change

✘ Not correct

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🔹 (c) Naupada Swamp ❌

• A localized coastal wetland
• Associated with sedimentation and tidal influence
• Does not represent large-scale, repeated marine regression

✘ Not correct

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🔹 (d) Rann of Kutch ✅

• Originally a shallow extension of the Arabian Sea
• Geological uplift and sea-level regression gradually:
  • Cut off marine connection
  • Converted the region into a seasonal marshy salt desert
• Alternates between:
  • Marshland during monsoon
  • Salt-encrusted desert in summer

✔️ Classic example of repeated sea-level fall

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📊 Final Assessment

Option	Reason
Bhitarkanika	Deltaic mangrove ❌
Marakkanam	Artificial salt pans ❌
Naupada	Local swamp ❌
Rann of Kutch	Marine regression marshland ✅

👉 Correct answer: (d) Rann of Kutch

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❌ UPSC Elimination Logic

• UPSC distinguishes between:
  • Marine regression landforms
  • Deltaic / tidal / human-made features
• Only Rann of Kutch fits:
  • Large scale
  • Geological time scale
  • Repeated sea-level fall

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Sea withdrew, salt stayed — the Rann remembers the ocean.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

For such questions:

• Look for time depth (geological past)
• Prefer large regional features over local wetlands
• Sea-level fall → marsh → salt desert sequence

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

Landforms are history books written in salt, sand, and silence.