UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies
Question 147: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The forest cover in India constitutes around 20 % of its geographical area. Out of the total forest cover, dense forest constitutes around 40 %.
- 2.The National Forestry Action Programme aims at bringing one-third of the area of India under tree/forest cover.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Statement 2 is right: the National Forestry Action Programme aims to bring one-third of India's area under forest and tree cover, in line with the National Forest Policy 1988. Statement 1 is wrong: forest cover is around 20% of the area, but dense forest is well over half of that cover, not around 40%.
- 1. Dense forest is well over half of forest cover, not around 40%.
- 2. The programme targets one-third of the area under forest and tree cover.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Dense forest is well over half of forest cover, not around 40%.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The programme targets one-third of the area under forest and tree cover.
Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 1 is false: dense forest is more than half of forest cover.
- (b) Correct: only statement 2 holds.
- (c) Statement 1 is false, so both cannot be right.
- (d) Statement 2 is true.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.