Question 21 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Geography

Question

Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/dried up in the recent past due to human activities?
1. Aral Sea
2. Black Sea
3. Lake Baikal
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: - Focus on recent, large-scale shrinkage directly linked to human activity.
- The Aral Sea exemplifies this, drastically shrinking due to river diversion for irrigation.
- Conversely, Lake Baikal and the Black Sea have not experienced comparable immense shrinkage or drying, despite some stress or fluctuations.

Key Info: ## Aral Sea
Once among the world's largest inland lakes, the Aral Sea bordered Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In the 1960s, Soviet irrigation projects diverted the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, resulting in over 90% reduction in area by the early 21st century. The remaining water bodies (North and South Aral) are now small, saline, and largely unsuitable for local livelihoods. Environmental impacts include loss of fisheries, dust storms from exposed salt flats, and severe regional climate changes.

## Black Sea
Located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, the Black Sea is connected to the Mediterranean via the Bosporus and Dardanelles. It is a large, deep, open body of water with fluctuating salinity and minor sea level changes, but has not suffered from massive shrinkage or drying due to human activities. Pollution and overfishing have threatened its biodiversity, but its area remains stable.

## Lake Baikal
Located in Siberia, Russia, Lake Baikal is the world's deepest and oldest freshwater lake. It contains about 20% of the Earth's unfrozen surface freshwater. While it faces threats like pollution, industrial development, overfishing, and water extraction, periodic declines in water level have not led to immense shrinkage or drying up comparable to the Aral Sea. Environmental activists highlight the need for stricter protection to maintain its unique ecological status.

## General Context
Massive drying or reduction of inland water bodies is typically tied to direct diversion of inflowing rivers for agriculture or industry. The Aral Sea remains the most cited human-induced example of catastrophic shrinkage in modern history.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1 and 3

Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/dried up in the recent past due to human activities? Aral Sea Black Sea Lake Baikal Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Aral Sea

Black Sea

Lake Baikal
Select the correct answer using the code given below: