Consider the following pairs regarding the types and distribution of grasslands in India: Grassland Type Region Key Feature 1. Sub-Himalayan Grasslands Terai belt (J&K to Arunachal Pradesh) Tall, dense grasses with scattered trees 2. Semi-Arid Grasslands Western Peninsular India and Western Ghats Heavy, dense shrublands suited for rice cultivation 3. Dry Sub-Humid Grasslands Central Peninsular India Open plains critical for crops like wheat and barley 4. Montane Grasslands High Altitudes (e.g., Bugyals of Uttarakhand) Alpine meadows found above the tree line How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? |ForumIAS

[A] Only one pair

[B] Only two pairs

[C] Only three pairs

[D] All four pairs

Answer: C

Notes:

Explanation:

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Sub-Himalayan/Terai grasslands stretch across the moist foothills from J&K to Arunachal, featuring highly productive elephant grasses interspersed with swampy sal forests.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Semi-Arid Grasslands are found in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, and Western UP. They are characterized by short, drought-resistant, sparse grasses mixed with thorny shrubs, completely unsuited for intensive rice cultivation.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Dry Sub-Humid Grasslands cover large swathes of the continental Deccan plateau. The deep, moisture-retentive black and alluvial soils found here make them high-value blocks for commercial cereal crops like wheat and barley.
Pair 4 is correctly matched: Montane Grasslands occupy the high altitudes of the Himalayas and North-East India. Examples include the famous Bugyals of Uttarakhand, Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh, and the Dzukou Valley on the Nagaland-Manipur border.