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?
Arunachal Pradesh
Understanding the Characteristics of the Indian State
The question asks us to identify an Indian state that meets three specific criteria:
- Characteristic 1: Located on the same latitude passing through northern Rajasthan.
- Characteristic 2: Over 80% of its area is under forest cover.
- Characteristic 3: Over 12% of its forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network.
Let's examine each characteristic and see which of the given options (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) fits all three.
Analyzing Characteristic 1: Latitude and Northern Rajasthan
Northern Rajasthan lies roughly between the latitudes of 28°N and 30°N. We need to find which of the given states falls within or significantly overlaps with this latitude range.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Extends from approximately 26°30'N to 29°30'N. This range significantly overlaps with the latitude of northern Rajasthan.
- Assam: Extends from approximately 24°N to 28°N. This is mostly south of northern Rajasthan's latitude.
- Himachal Pradesh: Extends from approximately 30°25'N to 33°12'N. This is predominantly north of northern Rajasthan's latitude.
- Uttarakhand: Extends from approximately 28°43'N to 31°27'N. This range also overlaps with the latitude of northern Rajasthan.
Based on latitude, both Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand seem to fit this characteristic.
Analyzing Characteristic 2: High Forest Cover (> 80%)
Next, let's look at the forest cover percentage for each state. Forest cover data is typically provided by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
- Arunachal Pradesh: This state is known for having one of the highest percentages of forest cover in India. According to recent reports, the forest cover is close to 80% (e.g., FSI 2021 reports it as 79.33% of its geographical area). This is the closest among the options to "over 80%".
- Assam: Forest cover is significantly lower, around 36% of its geographical area.
- Himachal Pradesh: Forest cover is around 28% of its geographical area.
- Uttarakhand: Forest cover is around 48% of its geographical area.
Considering the "over 80%" criterion, Arunachal Pradesh is the only state among the options that comes close to meeting this characteristic based on common data sources. While slightly below 80% in recent reports, it's significantly higher than the others and might meet the criterion based on the data source used for the question or including tree cover.
Analyzing Characteristic 3: Protected Area Network (% of Forest Cover)
This characteristic requires assessing the area under Protected Areas (like National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries) specifically within the forest cover of the state and calculating its percentage relative to the total forest cover area. Obtaining precise, state-specific data on the percentage of forest cover that falls within Protected Areas can be complex without specialized reports.
However, given that Arunachal Pradesh has a very large area under forest cover and hosts several large Protected Areas (such as Namdapha National Park, Mouling National Park, Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.), it is plausible that the Protected Area Network within its extensive forests constitutes over 12% of its total forest cover.
When we combine this with the findings from the first two characteristics, where only Arunachal Pradesh appears to strongly fit the high forest cover criterion and also fits the latitude criterion, it becomes the most likely candidate to satisfy all three conditions.
Conclusion: Identifying the State
Let's summarize how each state measures up against the criteria:
| State | Characteristic 1 (Latitude near N. Rajasthan) | Characteristic 2 (Forest Cover > 80%) | Characteristic 3 (Protected Area > 12% of Forest Cover) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Yes (Significant overlap) | Closest among options (approx. 80%) | Likely Yes (High forest cover, significant PAs) |
| Assam | Mostly South | No (< 40%) | Unlikely (Lower forest cover base) |
| Himachal Pradesh | Mostly North | No (< 30%) | Unlikely (Lower forest cover base) |
| Uttarakhand | Yes (Overlap) | No (< 50%) | Unlikely (Lower forest cover base) |
Based on this analysis, Arunachal Pradesh is the state that best fits all three characteristics described in the question, particularly the high percentage of area under forest cover which distinguishes it significantly from the other options.
Revision Table: State Characteristics
| Characteristic | Description | Relevant Data Points (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude | Location relative to northern Rajasthan (~28-30°N) | Arunachal Pradesh: ~26.5-29.5°N Uttarakhand: ~28.7-31.5°N |
| Forest Cover | Percentage of geographical area under forest | Arunachal Pradesh: ~79-80% Assam: ~36% Himachal Pradesh: ~28% Uttarakhand: ~48% |
| Protected Area Network | Area of National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries as % of forest cover | Specific data varies, but needs to be > 12% of the state's forest cover area. |
Additional Information on Indian State Geography and Forests
Understanding the geography and forest distribution of Indian states is important for such questions. Here are a few key points:
- Latitudinal Extent: India spans a wide range of latitudes, influencing climate and vegetation. States in the northern part of India are at higher latitudes than those in the south.
- Forest Cover Data: The Forest Survey of India (FSI) publishes the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) every two years, which is the primary source for forest cover data across states. It categorizes forest cover based on canopy density.
- Protected Areas: These are areas designated for the protection of wildlife and biodiversity. They include National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves. The network is managed under various acts like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- North Eastern States: States in Northeast India, like Arunachal Pradesh, have significantly high forest cover due to favorable climate and terrain.
- Himalayan States: States like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are in the Himalayan region and also have considerable forest cover, but typically less than the high-forest-cover states of the Northeast when considering the percentage of total geographical area.
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