Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of Indian national parks and world heritage sites. Khangchendzonga National Park is notable because it is part of a mixed category UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines natural beauty with cultural significance. Knowing which state hosts this park helps in understanding the distribution of protected areas in India and the importance of Sikkim in Himalayan conservation.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The protected area in question is Khangchendzonga National Park.
• It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The options are Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Sikkim.
• We must identify the state in which the park is located.

Concept / Approach:
Khangchendzonga National Park lies in the state of Sikkim in the eastern Himalayas. It includes the area around Mount Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan do have their own protected areas, but they are not home to this high altitude Himalayan park. Therefore, the correct approach is to link the name Khangchendzonga, which echoes Kangchenjunga, with Sikkim, the Himalayan state that hosts it.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that Khangchendzonga is the local form of the name Kangchenjunga, a Himalayan peak. Step 2: Recall that Kangchenjunga and its surrounding national park are located in Sikkim. Step 3: Note that Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan are not Himalayan states and do not contain this particular park. Step 4: Identify Sikkim in the options as the only Himalayan state listed. Step 5: Conclude that Sikkim is the correct state for Khangchendzonga National Park.

Verification / Alternative check:
UNESCO documentation and Indian protected area lists clearly place Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim. It is part of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and represents high altitude ecosystems including glaciers, valleys, and forests in northern Sikkim. No similar references place this park in Maharashtra, Odisha, or Rajasthan. These states appear in discussions of other parks like Tadoba, Simlipal, or Ranthambore, not Khangchendzonga.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharashtra: Known for parks like Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tadoba, but not for Khangchendzonga.
Odisha: Houses protected areas such as Simlipal and Bhitarkanika, but not this Himalayan park.
Rajasthan: Famous for Ranthambore, Sariska, and desert parks, but not for Khangchendzonga which is a Himalayan park.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may misread the name and not link it with Kangchenjunga, or they might simply guess a state without considering that the park is clearly Himalayan and high altitude. Remember that Sikkim is the small Himalayan state between Nepal and Bhutan and hosts Khangchendzonga National Park, which is often highlighted in current affairs for its UNESCO status.

Final Answer:
The correct choice is Sikkim, because Khangchendzonga National Park is located in that Himalayan state.