UPSC Prelims 2007 Q87: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Which of the following is located in the Bastar region?
- (a) Bandhavgarh National Park
- (b) Dandeli Sanctuary
- (c) Rajaji National Park
- (d) Indravati National Park
Answer: (d) Indravati National Park
Explanation
Indravati National Park — Bastar region
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Location | Bijapur district, Bastar division, Chhattisgarh |
| River | Named after the Indravati River |
| Status | National Park (1981), Tiger Reserve (1983) |
| Special animal | Wild water buffalo — Chhattisgarh's State animal |
Other options:
| Park | State |
|---|---|
| Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh (Umaria) |
| Dandeli | Karnataka (Uttara Kannada) |
| Rajaji | Uttarakhand (Haridwar/Dehradun) |
Answer: (d) Indravati National Park.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Bandhavgarh is in Madhya Pradesh (Umaria) — high tiger density.
- (b) Incorrect. Dandeli is in Karnataka.
- (c) Incorrect. Rajaji NP is in Uttarakhand, known for elephants.
- (d) CORRECT. Indravati NP lies in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
Key point
Indravati NP & Tiger Reserve = Bijapur, Bastar (Chhattisgarh); home of wild water buffalo.
Remember
Indravati National Park is in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Bandhavgarh because it is also in central India — it is in MP, not Bastar.
- Forgetting that Kanger Ghati NP is the other famous park in Bastar.
- Linking Indravati only to Odisha because the river rises there (Kalahandi).
Exam tip
Bastar parks: Indravati (tiger + wild buffalo) and Kanger Ghati (caves, Tirathgarh Falls).
Sources
- NTCA — Indravati Tiger Reserve
- Chhattisgarh Forest Department
- NCERT Class XI — India Physical Environment, Ch 5