Question 33
1. Chhattisgarh
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Odisha
With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?
AOptions
BSolution
To determine the correct ascending order of states based on their percentage of forest cover to total area, we refer to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) data, which is periodically released by the Forest Survey of India. Based on typical trends from recent ISFR reports (e.g., ISFR 2019, which would be relevant for such a question):
- Maharashtra: Generally has a forest cover percentage around 16-17%.
- Madhya Pradesh: Has a significantly higher forest cover, typically in the range of 25-26%.
- Odisha: Often boasts a forest cover percentage around 33-34%.
- Chhattisgarh: Is known for having one of the highest forest cover percentages among major states, often exceeding 41-42%.
Therefore, the correct ascending order (from lowest to highest percentage of forest cover) is Maharashtra < Madhya Pradesh < Odisha < Chhattisgarh, which corresponds to option C (3-2-4-1).
CStrategy
For questions requiring ranking of states based on statistical data (like forest cover, production, etc.), consistent revision of government reports (e.g., India State of Forest Report, Economic Survey) is crucial. Focus on understanding the relative positions of major states rather than memorizing exact percentages, as these can fluctuate slightly between reports.
DSyllabus Analysis
This question is from the Indian Geography (Forest Resources) and Environment & Ecology sections of the UPSC Prelims syllabus, requiring factual data from government reports.
EQuestion Analysis
Difficult. This question demands specific factual knowledge and comparison of data points across multiple states, which is challenging without dedicated memorization of reports.