UPSC Prelims 2026 · Question 29 of 96
UPSC Prelims 2026 question on Lake Turkana
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2026
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicWorld Map-Based Geography
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Which of the following statements with reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct?
1. It is the largest desert lake in the world.
2. The lake is situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert.
3. The lake is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also referred to as the 'Jade Sea'.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Verdict
Statements 1 and 3 are correct, so the answer is Option (b).
Statement by statement
Statement 1 is correct: Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake. Water levels in northern Kenya have risen by as much as 10 metres (33 feet) over the past 15 years, displacing communities, flooding infrastructure and reshaping fisheries in one of the country's most climate-vulnerable regions.
Statement 2 is not correct: The lake is not situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert. It lies mainly in northern Kenya, with its northern end stretching into Ethiopia.
Statement 3 is correct: It is Africa's fourth largest lake, fondly called the Jade Sea because of its breathtaking colour. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and expanded in 2001.