UPSC Prelims 2015 Q38: Environment & Ecology – Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts
Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest,
evergreen forest and deciduous forest?
- (a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
- (b) South - West Bengal
- (c) Southern Saurashtra
- (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Answer: (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Explanation
Region with mangrove, evergreen and deciduous forests together
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have all three forest types in a small area.
| Forest type in the islands | Where |
|---|---|
| Mangrove forest | Tidal creeks and coasts |
| Tropical evergreen forest | Wet hill slopes |
| Deciduous forest | Drier parts, mainly in the Andamans |
Why the others fail:
| Region | What it has | What it lacks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh | Mangrove (Coringa), deciduous | Evergreen forest |
| (b) South-West Bengal | Mangrove (Sundarbans), deciduous | Evergreen forest |
| (c) Southern Saurashtra | Dry deciduous (Gir), some mangrove | Evergreen forest |
Over 80 percent of the islands' area is under forest.
Answer: (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. North Coastal Andhra Pradesh has no evergreen forest.
- (b) Incorrect. South-West Bengal has the Sundarbans but no evergreen forest.
- (c) Incorrect. Southern Saurashtra is dry; it has no evergreen forest.
- (d) CORRECT. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have mangrove, evergreen and deciduous forests.
Key point
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: mangrove, tropical evergreen and deciduous forests together; over 80 percent forest cover.
Remember
Andamans = mangrove + evergreen + deciduous.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Bengal because of the Sundarbans mangroves.
- Forgetting that evergreen forest needs heavy rain all year.
- Thinking the islands have only rain forest.
Exam tip
Find the rare type first: evergreen forest rules out the three dry mainland regions.
Sources
- Forest Survey of India — India State of Forest Report (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 5 (Natural Vegetation)