UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 18: Environment and Ecology
Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand lies entirely in the temperate alpine zone, with high meadows of flowering plants, and is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Manas in Assam spans foothills, grasslands and tropical forest. Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh covers a wide altitude range from tropical to alpine zones. Neora Valley in West Bengal has subtropical and temperate forests. The word 'completely' rules out parks that cross several zones.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Manas spans foothills, grassland and tropical forest, not only alpine.
- (b) Namdapha spans tropical to alpine zones across a wide altitude range.
- (c) Neora Valley has subtropical and temperate forests, not just alpine meadows.
- (d) Correct: Valley of Flowers lies entirely in the temperate alpine zone.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.