Q. One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate.
Which one of the following denotes that region?
(a) Amazon Basin
(b) Congo Basin
(c) Kikori Basin
(d) Rio de la Plata Basin
Correct answer: (b) Congo Basin
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 GS Paper
Explanation :
Congo Basin peatlands:
In 2017, scientists discovered an enormous peatland complex in the Congo Basin
It covers an area larger than England
It stores approximately 30 billion tonnes of carbon
This is equivalent to about three years of global fossil fuel emissions
Comparing with other options:
Amazon Basin: Has peatlands but not as extensive as Congo
Kikori Basin (Papua New Guinea): Has some peatlands but much smaller
Rio de la Plata Basin: Not known for significant peatlands
Therefore, the answer is (b) Congo Basin.
