Set 1 | Important Forest and Wildlife MCQs

Correct Answer is C.

1. Malwa Plateau:
   • Located in central India, this plateau has a semi-arid climate with dry vegetation and not dense evergreen forests. It is mainly covered with dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
2. Eastern Ghat:
   • A mountain range along India’s eastern coast, the Eastern Ghats have more mixed forests, consisting of both deciduous and evergreen species. However, they are not as lush and evergreen as the Western Ghats.
3. Western Ghat:
   • This mountain range along the western coast of India is renowned for its rich biodiversity and dense evergreen forests. The tropical climate and high rainfall create ideal conditions for evergreen forests that retain foliage year-round.
4. Chhotanagpur Plateau:
   • Located in eastern India, this plateau has dry deciduous forests and is not known for dense evergreen forests. It experiences a more temperate climate with moderate rainfall, not enough to support evergreen forests.

The Western Ghats are known for their evergreen forests due to heavy rainfall, tropical climate, and high biodiversity.

Correct Answer is D.

• Equatorial forests are found in such tropical zones which receive more than 200 cm rainfall. Tall, closely set trees forming canopy is a characteristic of these forests. The upper portion of canopy often supports rich epiphytes. About 80% of the world’s biodiversity is found in equatorial forests.

Correct Answer is C.

• Arunachal Pradesh: This state in the northeastern part of India has a tropical climate, especially in its lower regions, and is home to Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. These forests thrive in areas with high rainfall, which is common in Arunachal Pradesh due to its proximity to the monsoon winds.
• Mizoram: Mizoram, also located in the northeastern part of India, has a similar tropical climate with abundant rainfall, making it another region where Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests occur.

Why not Himachal Pradesh?

• Himachal Pradesh: This state, located in the northern part of India, has a predominantly temperate climate. The higher altitudes of Himachal Pradesh lead to coniferous and mixed forests rather than tropical wet evergreen forests. The state experiences colder temperatures and lower rainfall in comparison to states like Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Thus, Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are primarily found in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram due to their tropical climate and high rainfall.

Correct Answer is B.

• The minimum land area recommended for forest cover to maintain proper ecological balance in India is 33% of the total geographical area.
• This recommendation comes from the National Forest Policy of India (1988), which emphasizes the importance of maintaining a minimum of one-third of India’s total land area under forest cover. This is considered essential for maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, conserving water resources, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for communities.
• Currently, India’s forest cover is slightly below this target, but efforts continue to increase it through various conservation and afforestation programs.

Correct Answer is C.

• To maintain ecological balance, the area under forest should be at least 33% of the total geographical area of a country.
• This target is recommended by India’s National Forest Policy of 1988.

Correct Answer is B.

The National Forest Policy of 1952 categorized forests into the following types:

1. National Forests: These are the forests that are under the direct control of the government and are primarily for conservation, protection, and timber production.
2. Protected Forests: These are forests that are protected by law, and their conservation is prioritized to prevent over-exploitation and degradation.
3. Village Forests: These forests are typically located around villages and are managed to support the local community’s needs, such as fuelwood, fodder, and other resources.

Correct Answer is *.

• At that time of year, the correct option was C.
• As per latest data, According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, India’s total forest cover spans approximately 7,13,789 square kilometers, which makes up about 21.71% of the country’s total geographical area. (Source: DRISHTI IAS)
• The report also highlights that tree cover, which includes smaller patches outside designated forest areas, constitutes 2.91% of India’s geographical area. (Source: Press Information Bureau)
• When combining both forest and tree cover, the total area covered stands at 24.62% of India’s land area.

Correct Answer is C.

As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forests in India. The state is known for its vast forest cover, which plays a significant role in the biodiversity and ecology of the region. Madhya Pradesh is home to several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, contributing to its extensive forested areas.

• Kerala: While Kerala has a significant forest cover, it does not surpass Madhya Pradesh in terms of the total area covered by forests.
• Uttar Pradesh: This state has comparatively less forest area compared to Madhya Pradesh.
• Rajasthan: Although Rajasthan has forested regions, it is known for its arid and semi-arid conditions, so its forest cover is smaller compared to Madhya Pradesh.

Largest forest cover in India: Madhya Pradesh > Arunachal Pradesh > Chhattisgarh > Odisha > Maharashtra.

Correct Answer is A.

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover area in India, covering 77,493 square kilometers, which accounts for about 12.3% of the total forest area in the country.

Here’s how it compares to other states:

• West Bengal: West Bengal has 16,832 square kilometers of forest cover, making it a significant contributor but far smaller than Madhya Pradesh.
• Kerala: Kerala’s forest cover spans 21,253 square kilometers, which is substantial but still smaller than Madhya Pradesh.
• Assam: Assam’s forest cover is 28,312 square kilometers, also significant but not the largest compared to Madhya Pradesh.

Thus, Madhya Pradesh leads the country in total forest cover area.

Correct Answer is C.

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, Mizoram has the highest percentage of its geographical area under forest cover among the listed states, with around 84.53% of its total area covered by forests. This is the highest among Indian states.

Here’s the comparison with other states:

• Meghalaya: Around 76% of its area is covered by forests.
• Manipur: Approximately 74.34% of its area is under forest cover.
• Nagaland: About 73.90% of its area is covered by forests.

Thus, Mizoram has the largest percentage of its geographical area under forest cover.