Indian geography miscellaneous


  1. Which of the following is called the “ecological hot spot of India”?









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    A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. More like rolling hills than snow-covered mountains, the Western Ghats - stretching some 1,600 km from the north of Mumbai to the southern tip of India - are a biodiversity hotspot that contains a large proportion of the country’s plant and animal species; many of which are only found here and nowhere else in the world. In the northern part of the range, about one-third of the plants, almost half the reptiles, and more than three-fourths of the amphibians known in India are found in this narrow strip of rainforest just off the west coast. The forests in the southwestern Ghats are even richer, hosting the country’s largest population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) as well as Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris Tigris), lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), sloth bears (Ursus ursinus), Nilgiri tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrius) and much more.

    Correct Option: A

    A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. More like rolling hills than snow-covered mountains, the Western Ghats - stretching some 1,600 km from the north of Mumbai to the southern tip of India - are a biodiversity hotspot that contains a large proportion of the country’s plant and animal species; many of which are only found here and nowhere else in the world. In the northern part of the range, about one-third of the plants, almost half the reptiles, and more than three-fourths of the amphibians known in India are found in this narrow strip of rainforest just off the west coast. The forests in the southwestern Ghats are even richer, hosting the country’s largest population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) as well as Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris Tigris), lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), sloth bears (Ursus ursinus), Nilgiri tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrius) and much more.


  1. The forest in Sunderban is called









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    The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans Mangroves eco-region on the coast forms the seaward fringe of the delta and is the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, with 20,400 square kilometres. The dominant mangrove species Heritiera fomes is locally known as sundri or sundari. Mangrove forests are not home to a great variety of plants.

    Correct Option: B

    The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans Mangroves eco-region on the coast forms the seaward fringe of the delta and is the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, with 20,400 square kilometres. The dominant mangrove species Heritiera fomes is locally known as sundri or sundari. Mangrove forests are not home to a great variety of plants.



  1. Namdhapa National Park is in









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    Namdhapa National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and is located in Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. It is also the largest national park in India in terms of area. It is located in the Eastern Himalayan sub-region and is recognized as one of the richest areas in biodiversity in India. The park harbours the northernmost lowland evergreen rainforests in the world at 27°N latitude.

    Correct Option: D

    Namdhapa National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and is located in Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. It is also the largest national park in India in terms of area. It is located in the Eastern Himalayan sub-region and is recognized as one of the richest areas in biodiversity in India. The park harbours the northernmost lowland evergreen rainforests in the world at 27°N latitude.


  1. When was the first National Forest Policy issued by the Government of India?









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    India is one of the very few countries of the world where forest policy is in operation since 1894; in 1952 and 1988 revisions were made in this forest policy. The National Forest Polity of 1952 recommended that the country should aim at coverage of one-third of the total land area under forests (60% in mountainous area and 25% in the plains). It has suggested the extension of tree lands on river/canal banks and in such areas which are not suitable for cultivation.

    Correct Option: A

    India is one of the very few countries of the world where forest policy is in operation since 1894; in 1952 and 1988 revisions were made in this forest policy. The National Forest Polity of 1952 recommended that the country should aim at coverage of one-third of the total land area under forests (60% in mountainous area and 25% in the plains). It has suggested the extension of tree lands on river/canal banks and in such areas which are not suitable for cultivation.



  1. The Gir Forest is noted for its









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    The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary s the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The April 2010 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 411, an increase of 52 compared to 2005. The lion breeding programme covering the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in captivity since its inception.

    Correct Option: A

    The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary s the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The April 2010 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 411, an increase of 52 compared to 2005. The lion breeding programme covering the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in captivity since its inception.