Forest Types of India — Set 13

Correct Answer: B. Bengal Tiger

Jim Corbett National Park was established primarily to protect the Bengal Tiger and was India's first national park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park (renamed after Jim Corbett in 1957). It became the first park included under Project Tiger in 1973. The park is home to over 260 tigers as per recent estimates, one of India's highest densities. Located in Uttarakhand's Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts, it covers 1,318 sq km of diverse Himalayan foothills habitat.

Correct Answer: B. Plants that grow on other plants (tree trunks, branches) without parasitising them

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants — particularly on tree trunks and branches — without parasitising them. They use the host tree only for physical support and obtain water and nutrients from rain, air, and accumulated debris. Orchids, ferns, mosses, lichens, and bromeliads are common epiphytes. Tropical rainforests like those in the Western Ghats and Northeast India harbour exceptional diversity of epiphytes. They are sensitive indicators of forest health and air quality.

Correct Answer: B. Natural process of canopy gaps created by fallen trees allowing forest regeneration

Gap Dynamics in forest ecology refers to the natural process by which canopy gaps are created when large trees fall or die, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and triggering regeneration of shade-intolerant pioneer species. This creates a continuous small-scale mosaic of forest patches in different successional stages. Gap dynamics is a key driver of tropical forest biodiversity. Each gap creates unique light and temperature conditions that different species exploit. Disturbance through gap creation maintains forest structural diversity.

Correct Answer: B. Mysterious highland plateau with deep gorges in Meghalaya

Balpakram National Park in South Garo Hills, Meghalaya is famous for its mysterious highland plateau with deep gorges, permanent winds, and dramatic landscapes. It is known in Garo culture as the 'land of eternal winds' and as a resting place of departed souls. The park's diverse habitats include subtropical broadleaved forests, grasslands, and tropical evergreen forests. It harbours Red Panda, Cloud Leopard, Golden Cat, and is an important biodiversity conservation area in Northeast India.

Correct Answer: B. Verifying and communicating sustainable forest management to markets and consumers

Forest Certification is most important for verifying and communicating to markets and consumers that forest products come from sustainably managed forests that protect biodiversity, workers' rights, and community interests. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is the most widely recognised internationally. Certified forest products can be sold at premium prices in export markets. This provides economic incentive for forest managers to maintain high sustainability standards. India has some FSC-certified plantations and natural forests.

Correct Answer: B. Biennial assessment and monitoring of India's forest and tree cover using remote sensing

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has the primary mandate of conducting biennial assessment and monitoring of India's forest and tree cover using remote sensing technology, ground truthing, and field data collection. FSI publishes the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) every two years providing comprehensive data on forest cover, tree cover outside forests, carbon stocks, and bamboo and mangrove resources. FSI also monitors forest fires and provides training in remote sensing for forest monitoring to state forest departments.

Correct Answer: B. 2.5-3 billion tonnes

India has committed to creating an additional forest and tree cover carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. This is one of India's major climate commitments. Achieving this target requires significant expansion of forest and tree cover through afforestation, agroforestry, and protection of existing forests. The Green India Mission and National Afforestation Programme are key programmes for achieving this target.

Correct Answer: B. Income generated from forests

Deforestation Offset refers to trees planted in one location to compensate for trees or forests destroyed elsewhere for development. Under India's forest diversion process, project proponents must undertake compensatory afforestation (planting twice the area of diverted forest) in non-forest degraded lands. These plantations are managed through CAMPA funds. However, ecologists note that planted forests cannot fully replace the biodiversity and ecological services of natural forests that take decades to centuries to develop.

Correct Answer: B. Madhya Pradesh

The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh in the Satpura Range of the Vindhya hills. It was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1999. The reserve includes the Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of 4,926 sq km. The Pachmarhi hill station is located within the biosphere reserve and is a popular tourist destination known for its caves, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes.

Correct Answer: B. Percentage of ground covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns

Canopy Cover measures the percentage of the forest floor that is covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns as seen from above. It ranges from 0% (no cover) to 100% (complete cover). The Forest Survey of India uses canopy cover as the primary metric to classify forests: Very Dense Forest (>70%), Moderately Dense Forest (40-70%), and Open Forest (10-40%). Canopy cover affects light availability, temperature, humidity, and biodiversity in the forest understorey and floor.