Q. Which one of the following Indian forest types is being described below? This forest type is found in the eastern Himalayan region and in parts of the Nilgiri Hills and Kerala. It features a three-layered structure with coniferous trees at the top, deciduous trees like oak in the middle, and rhododendron and champa in the lower layer. It occurs in areas receiving a minimum of 2000 mm annual rainfall.
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
Montane wet temperate forests are primarily found in two distinct regions of India:
- Northern Region: These forests occur east of Nepal, extending into Arunachal Pradesh, where they receive a minimum of 2000 mm of annual rainfall.
- The forest exhibits a clear three-tier structure: The upper canopy comprises mostly coniferous species, the middle layer features deciduous trees such as oak and the lower layer is dominated by rhododendron and champa, along with a rich variety of ground flora.
- Southern Region: These forests are found in the Nilgiri Hills and the higher elevations of Kerala.
- Compared to the North, the southern montane forests are relatively less dense but still support rhododendrons and diverse undergrowth.
Source: Environment( N.C.E.R.T)
