Two important rivers - one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha - merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this?

The answer is A) Bhitarkanika. The river described is the Brahmani, which rises in the Chotanagpur plateau of Jharkhand and is called Brahmani in Odisha. The other is the Baitarani, which rises in the Keonjhar hills of Odisha. Both reach the Bay of Bengal through a common estuary, the Brahmani-Baitarani (Dhamra) delta, and the wetlands here form the Bhitarkanika ecosystem.

• Bhitarkanika (correct): a mangrove ecosystem with a National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, known for estuarine crocodiles and bird life. It is a Ramsar wetland site.
• Chandipur-on-sea: a tidal beach near Balasore, known for its receding sea, not a river confluence or protected wetland.
• Gopalpur-on-sea: a coastal town and port in Ganjam district. It has no river confluence of this kind.
• Simlipal: a Tiger Reserve and Biosphere Reserve in the Mayurbhanj hills. It is the source region of several rivers, but it is not at the coast.

The concept is the deltaic and estuarine mangrove ecology of Odisha's coast, which ties into Mains questions on coastal wetlands, Ramsar sites and river-linked disaster risk.

Trap: aspirants pick Simlipal because it is the big-name biosphere reserve in Odisha. Check where the rivers meet before you check the reserve's fame.