A particular State in India has the following characteristics:
- 1.It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
- 2.It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
- 3.Over 12% of forest cover constitutes the Protected Area Network in this State.
Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is the answer. It is the only option with more than 80% of its area under forest (80.39%). Its latitudes (26°28'N to 29°30'N) fall within Rajasthan's span, which reaches 30°11'N in the north. Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand all have far less forest cover.
- ✓ (a) Forest cover is 80.39% of the State's geographical area, which is over 80%. The State lies between 26°28'N and 29°30'N. Rajasthan extends up to 30°11'N, so Arunachal Pradesh shares latitudes with northern Rajasthan.
- ✗ (b) Assam's forest cover is only about 35% (35.28%) of its area, far below the 80% required.
- ✗ (c) Himachal Pradesh has only about a quarter of its area under forest cover, far below the 80% required.
- ✗ (d) Uttarakhand has about 45% forest cover (45.44%), far below the 80% required.
Remember · Arunachal Pradesh has over 80% of its area under forest, among the highest in India. It spans 26°28'N to 29°30'N, overlapping Rajasthan's latitudes, which run up to 30°11'N.
Sources
- India State of Forest Report 2019, Vol II – Arunachal Pradesh (Forest Survey of India) ↗ “The State lies between 26°28' N to 29°30' N latitude and 91°30' E to 97°30' E longitude”
- India State of Forest Report 2019, Vol II – Rajasthan (Forest Survey of India) ↗ “The geographical extent of the State is bounded by 23°4'N to 30°11'N latitude and 69°29'E to 78°17' E longitude.”
- India State of Forest Report 2013 – Forest Cover chapter (Forest Survey of India) ↗ “Arunachal Pradesh 83,743 20,828 31,414 15,079 67,321 80.39 -89 -0.11 121 Assam 78,438 1,444 11,345 14,882 27,671 35.28”
- India State of Forest Report 2019, Vol II – Uttarakhand (Forest Survey of India) ↗ “the Forest Cover in the State is 24,303.04 sq km which is 45.44 %”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2012, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
