UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 43: Geography
A particular State in India has the following characteristics :
- 1.It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
- 2.It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
- 3.Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State.
Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Arunachal Pradesh fits all three clues. It lies roughly between 26.5 and 29.5 degrees north, so the latitude running through northern Rajasthan (about 28 to 30 degrees north) also crosses it. About 80 per cent of its area is under forest, far more than the other options, and national parks and sanctuaries such as Namdapha and Mouling give it a protected area network above 12 per cent of its forest cover. Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand all have much lower forest cover.
- 1. Arunachal lies on the latitudes that pass through northern Rajasthan.
- 2. Around 80 per cent of Arunachal is under forest.
- 3. Its protected area network, including Namdapha and Mouling, exceeds 12 per cent of forest cover.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: it matches the latitude, about 80 per cent forest cover and the protected area clue.
- (b) Wrong: Assam's forest cover is only about a third of its area.
- (c) Wrong: Himachal Pradesh has about a quarter of its area under forest.
- (d) Wrong: Uttarakhand has under half of its area under forest.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.