UPSC Prelims 2015 Q52: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to
subtropical, temperate and arctic?
- (a) Khangchendzonga National Park
- (b) Nanda Devi National Park
- (c) Neora Valley National Park
- (d) Namdapha National Park
Answer: (d) Namdapha National Park
Explanation
National Park with tropical to arctic climate
Namdapha National Park is in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
Its height ranges from about 200 metres to over 4,500 metres.
So its climate runs from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic.
| Feature of Namdapha | Detail |
|---|---|
| Big cats | The only park with four: tiger, leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard |
| Ape | Hoolock gibbon, India's only ape |
| Status | Also a Tiger Reserve |
| Border | Next to Myanmar |
The other parks:
| Park | State | Why not |
|---|---|---|
| Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | Starts at higher altitude; little tropical zone |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | High-altitude park only |
| Neora Valley | West Bengal | Does not reach arctic heights |
Answer: (d) Namdapha National Park.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Khangchendzonga is mostly high-altitude and lacks a true tropical zone.
- (b) Incorrect. Nanda Devi lies wholly at high altitude.
- (c) Incorrect. Neora Valley does not rise to arctic conditions.
- (d) CORRECT. Namdapha spans tropical, subtropical, temperate and arctic climates.
Key point
Namdapha (Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh): 200 m to 4,500 m; tropical to arctic climate; four big cats; Hoolock gibbon; Tiger Reserve.
Remember
Namdapha = tropical to arctic, four big cats.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Khangchendzonga because it is the highest park.
- Forgetting that a wide climate range needs a very low starting altitude.
- Placing Namdapha in Assam; it is in Arunachal Pradesh.
Exam tip
Widest altitude range = widest climate range. Namdapha starts almost at the plains.
Sources
- National Tiger Conservation Authority — Namdapha Tiger Reserve
- Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department — Namdapha National Park