Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Shola forests are found mainly on the upper reaches of the Himalaya.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
India has a wide variety of natural vegetation types, from tropical rainforests to alpine forests in the Himalayas. Questions in geography and environment often test detailed knowledge of where specific tree species and forest types are found. This question asks you to identify the statement that is not correct about Indian natural vegetation, so you must know the true distribution of Sal, Casuarina, Deodar, and Shola forests.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Sal (Shorea robusta) is a characteristic species of moist deciduous forests in northern and central India. Casuarina is widely planted along coastal Tamil Nadu for shelterbelts and protection against sea winds. Deodar (Cedrus deodara) is a Himalayan conifer and is correctly described as coniferous. Shola forests, however, are unique patches of stunted evergreen forest found in the higher elevations of the Western Ghats in southern India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. They are not mainly in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, so the statement that places them there is incorrect.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Examine option A: Sal is found in moist deciduous forests. This is correct, as Sal dominates large areas of moist deciduous forest, especially in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and parts of the Himalayan foothills.2. Examine option B: Casuarina is largely found along the coastal region of Tamil Nadu. This is also correct, because Casuarina plantations are used along the coast for windbreaks and coastal protection.3. Examine option C: Deodar is a coniferous species of tree. This is correct; Deodar is a Himalayan cedar and a well known conifer.4. Examine option D: Shola forests are found mainly on the upper reaches of the Himalaya. This statement is incorrect because Shola forests are characteristic of high elevation valleys and slopes in the Western Ghats, not of the Himalayas.5. Since the question asks for the statement that is not correct, option D is the right choice.
Verification / Alternative check:
Geography texts on Indian vegetation describe Shola forests as tropical montane evergreen forests located above about 1500 metres in the southern Western Ghats. They are associated with rolling grasslands and form unique Shola grassland complexes in places like the Nilgiris and Anamalais. The Himalayas, in contrast, have different montane forest types dominated by conifers such as Deodar, blue pine, and fir, as well as broadleaf species at lower elevations. This clear difference in location confirms that Shola forests are not mainly Himalayan.
Why Other Options Are Wrong (as answers):
Option A is factually correct, so it cannot be the incorrect statement the question is asking for. Option B is also correct and reflects a well known use of Casuarina along coastal Tamil Nadu. Option C is a basic fact about Deodar being a coniferous tree and is not wrong. Only Option D incorrectly relocates Shola forests from the Western Ghats to the Himalayas.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that any montane forest must belong to the Himalayas because students are more familiar with that mountain range. Another pitfall is to skim the options quickly and not notice that Shola forests are actually linked to the Western Ghats. To avoid such errors, it is important to associate key vegetation types with their primary regions: Shola with the southern Western Ghats, Deodar with the western Himalayas, and Sal with moist deciduous forests of central and northern India.
Final Answer:
The statement that is NOT correct is Shola forests are found mainly on the upper reaches of the Himalaya.
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