SSC
In India, 'Kayals', a distinctive feature of the Malabar Coast, refer to:
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Answer: Option A — Backwaters
Detailed Solution
Kayals is the local Malayalam name for the backwaters of Kerala, on the Malabar Coast. Backwaters are a network of shallow lagoons, lakes, canals and river mouths that run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. They are separated from the sea by narrow strips of land or sand bars, but are connected to it at some points through openings called "azhis" or estuaries, so the water is often a mix of fresh and salt water (brackish).
The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and coastal currents, which deposited sand bars across river mouths, and by the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats.
Important kayals of Kerala include:
Vembanad Lake: the largest lake in Kerala and the longest lake in India, stretching across the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts. Kochi port is located on it. It is a Ramsar site and hosts the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada.
Ashtamudi Lake: in Kollam district, also a Ramsar site.
Sasthamkotta Lake: Kerala's largest freshwater lake, also a Ramsar site.
Kayamkulam and Paravur Kayals.
The backwaters are very important for Kerala's economy and culture:
They provide an inland waterway for transporting goods and people. National Waterway 3 (West Coast Canal) runs from Kottapuram to Kollam.
They support fishing, coir making (from coconut husk soaked in the water) and paddy cultivation. The Kuttanad region, the "Rice Bowl of Kerala", is famous for farming below sea level.
They attract tourists, who travel in traditional houseboats called "kettuvallams".
Snake boat races (Vallam Kali) are held on the backwaters during the Onam season.
Other coastal lagoons in India include Chilika Lake (Odisha), the largest brackish water lagoon in India, and Pulicat Lake (on the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border).
Why not the other options?
- ✗Sand dunes are found mainly in the Thar Desert and on some beaches.
- ✗Coral reefs are found in the Gulf of Mannar, the Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- ✗Salt marshes are found in the Rann of Kutch.
Quick tip
Remember: Kayals = backwaters of Kerala (Vembanad = longest lake in India, Nehru Trophy Boat Race); Kuttanad = farming below sea level; Chilika = largest brackish lagoon; Pulicat = AP-TN.
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Physical Features of India — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Physical Features of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's location and extent, its neighbours and boundary lines, and its physiographic divisions: the Himalayas, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the coastal plains and the islands, along with important mountain passes, peaks and hill ranges. Questions often ask which states the Tropic of Cancer passes through, the southernmost point of India (Indira Point), the highest peak in India (Kangchenjunga), and which pass connects which regions. India shares its longest land border with Bangladesh. Learning the Himalayan ranges from north to south (Himadri, Himachal and Shiwaliks) is also useful. Practise the physical features of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.