UPSC Prelims 2019 Q18: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
- (a) Manas National Park
- (b) Namdapha National Park
- (c) Neora Valley National Park
- (d) Valley of Flowers National Park
Answer: (d) Valley of Flowers National Park
Explanation
Temperate Alpine Zone: National Park Placement
| National Park | State | Altitude / Zone | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manas NP | Assam | Foothills, ~50-200 m - tropical/subtropical | Not alpine |
| Namdapha NP | Arunachal Pradesh | 200-4500 m - tropical to alpine (mixed) | Not entirely alpine |
| Neora Valley NP | West Bengal | 200-3200 m - subtropical to temperate | Not entirely alpine |
| Valley of Flowers NP | Uttarakhand | 3200-6675 m - entirely in the ALPINE zone | Only park lying completely in temperate/alpine zone |
Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2005), part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, entirely in the alpine meadow zone of the Bhyundar Ganga valley.
Answer: (d) Valley of Flowers National Park.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Manas is in the foothills of Assam - tropical/subtropical, NOT alpine.
- (b) Incorrect. Namdapha spans tropical to alpine (huge altitudinal range) - NOT entirely alpine.
- (c) Incorrect. Neora Valley is subtropical to temperate (not fully alpine).
- (d) CORRECT. Valley of Flowers (3200-6675 m) lies entirely in the temperate alpine zone of Uttarakhand.
Key point
Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand) = only NP entirely in alpine zone. UNESCO World Heritage (2005), part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
Remember
Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand (3200-6675 m altitude) lies completely in the temperate alpine zone. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, famous for its endemic alpine flowers.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any Himalayan NP is alpine. Most span multiple zones (tropical -> subtropical -> temperate -> alpine).
- Confusing Valley of Flowers with Great Himalayan NP or Nanda Devi NP - though also alpine-rich, VoF is famously entirely so.
- Not knowing Namdapha uniquely hosts all four big cats (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard) - reflecting its huge altitudinal range.
Exam tip
Altitudinal zones in Himalayas: Tropical (up to 1000m) -> Subtropical (1000-2000m) -> Temperate (2000-3000m) -> Sub-alpine (3000-3500m) -> Alpine (3500-4500m) -> Nival/snowline (above 4500m).
Sources
- Ministry of Environment - Wildlife Institute of India, Protected Area Network Database
- UNESCO - Valley of Flowers National Park listing