UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 37: Geography
Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Sundari (Heritiera fomes) is the mangrove tree of the Sundarbans in West Bengal, which takes its name from it. Teak is mainly a tree of peninsular India, such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and not of Jammu and Kashmir. Deodar is a Himalayan conifer of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand, not of Madhya Pradesh. Sandalwood's main home is Karnataka, with Tamil Nadu next.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Teak belongs to peninsular forests such as those of Madhya Pradesh, not to Jammu and Kashmir.
- (b) Deodar is a Himalayan conifer, not a tree of Madhya Pradesh.
- (c) Kerala has some sandalwood, but Karnataka is the main producer, so this pair is weaker.
- (d) Right: Sundari is the mangrove of the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
Worth knowing: Kerala also has sandalwood forests (at Marayoor), so (c) is not wholly wrong; (d) is the cleaner match.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.