PIB · Government of India ·

Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav Urges Surya Kiran Air Show in Lonar to Boost Maharashtra's Tourism Potential

Distilled Policy Brief

  • Lonar Crater Lake, situated in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, is highlighted as a unique natural geological formation characterized by its saline and alkaline water.

🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points

Geological characteristics of Lonar Crater Lake (saline and alkaline nature) and the UNESCO World Heritage status of Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages

Analyzing the role of public-facing defense exhibitions and heritage tourism in fostering national integration, regional economic growth, and youth recruitment.

🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill

Geography & Disaster Management

With reference to the cultural and natural heritage sites in Maharashtra, consider the following statements: 1. Lonar Crater Lake, located in the Buldhana district, is a unique geological formation characterized by its saline and alkaline water. 2. The Ajanta and Ellora caves are globally recognized historical sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. 3. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team, proposed to perform promotional displays over these sites, is a specialized unit of the Indian Air Force. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  • [A] 1 and 2 only
  • [B] 2 and 3 only
  • [C] 1 and 3 only
  • [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [D] 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are correct. Lonar Crater Lake in Buldhana district is known for its unique saline and alkaline water. The Ajanta and Ellora caves are globally recognized UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Surya Kiran aerobatic display team is a renowned unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Tark High-Yield Question Bank ⚡ Practice Full Test in Testing Arena ↗

🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)

UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.

Forensic Anchor: Cabinet Allocation of Business Rules & NCAP Framework
Examiner Trap Takeaway: UPSC swapped Central Pollution Control Board role with State Pollution Control Boards for state-level monitoring.

📚 Static Syllabus & Constitutional Linkages

Lonar Crater Lake: Formed during the Pleistocene Epoch by a meteorite impact in basaltic rock, it is a unique National Geo-heritage site featuring highly alkaline and saline water with specialized microbial biodiversity.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves: Ajanta consists of 29 rock-cut Buddhist caves famous for fresco paintings (Vakataka period), while Ellora features 34 rock-cut temples representing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, including the monolithic Kailash Temple built by the Rashtrakutas.