Correct answer: (b) Chambal River
Explanation
- A
Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Bhitarkanika mangroves in Odisha are famous for saltwater crocodiles and Olive Ridley nesting nearby, not as the wild stronghold of the gharial. This option is not the key.
- B
Chambal River
The National Chambal Sanctuary on the Chambal River (Rajasthan–Madhya Pradesh–Uttar Pradesh) is the best-known natural habitat remaining for the gharial. Wild breeding populations are monitored there. That is why (b) is the official key.
- C
Pulicat Lake
Pulicat Lake is a brackish lagoon for waterbirds and fisheries, not a gharial river. This option is therefore wrong.
- D
Deepor Beel
Deepor Beel is a Ramsar wetland near Guwahati, important for birds, not a gharial haunt. This option is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (b) Chambal River. Gavialis gangeticus is a fish-eating river crocodilian of clean, deep rivers. The Chambal sanctuary is India’s principal wild gharial landscape. Bhitarkanika holds saltwater crocodiles; Pulicat and Deepor Beel are lagoon/wetland bird sites. Only the Chambal matches the question.
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