Vegetation & Forests — Geography of the State

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2013

In Darjeeling district of West Bengal temperate forests occur at an elevation of

A. 1000 mts

B. 1200 mts

C. 1500 mts

D. 2000 mts

Explanation

Why Correct: Temperate forests in Darjeeling district typically begin at elevations of 1500 meters above sea level, where cooler temperatures support species like oak, rhododendron, and conifers.
Distractor Analysis: 1000 meters marks the upper limit of subtropical forests in the region. 1200 meters represents a transitional zone with mixed subtropical and temperate species. 2000 meters and above is the elevation where subalpine forests and alpine vegetation dominate.
Takeaway: Darjeeling's vegetation zones follow distinct altitudinal belts: tropical up to 900m, subtropical 900-1800m, temperate 1800-3600m, and alpine above 3600m.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2012

Sal is found in

A. Hoogly distrlct of West Bengal

B. Howrah district of West Bengal

C. Bankura district of West Bengal

D. Malda district of West Bengal

Explanation

Why Correct: Arabari Forest is located in the Midnapore district of West Bengal, which was bifurcated into East Midnapore and West Midnapore in 2002; Arabari falls under West Midnapore district, and Sal (Shorea robusta) is the dominant tree species in this forest region.
Distractor Analysis: Hoogly district has industrial and urban areas with limited Sal forests. Howrah district is primarily urban with no significant Sal forests. Malda district in northern West Bengal has mango orchards and alluvial plains, not Sal-dominated forests.
Takeaway: Sal forests in West Bengal are also found in Purulia, Bankura, and parts of Birbhum districts, forming the dry deciduous forest belt of the Chota Nagpur Plateau region.

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2012

Joint Forest Management was first successful in West Bengal in

A. Paljhari village of Mednipur district

B. Bhula village of Bankura district

C. Natunbandh village of Bankura district

D. Arabari village of Mednipur district

Explanation

Why Correct: Arabari village in Medinipur district launched India's first successful Joint Forest Management experiment in 1972 under forest officer Ajit Kumar Banerjee.
Distractor Analysis: Paljhari village in Medinipur district is not associated with JFM's origin. Bhula village in Bankura district is known for later forest conservation efforts. Natunbandh village in Bankura district hosts community forestry projects but not the pioneering JFM site.
Takeaway: JFM expanded nationally after the 1988 National Forest Policy, with West Bengal's Arabari model becoming the template for participatory forest management across India.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2011

Tropical evergreen forests are found in West Bengal

A. Below 1000 mt.

B. 1000 to 1500 mt.

C. 1500 to 3000 mt.

D. Above 3000 mt

Explanation

Why Correct: Tropical evergreen forests in West Bengal occur in low-altitude regions like the Sundarbans delta and parts of North Bengal, all below 1000 meters elevation.
Distractor Analysis: 1000-1500 meters in West Bengal typically feature subtropical broadleaf forests. 1500-3000 meters host temperate forests like oak and rhododendron. Above 3000 meters in West Bengal's Darjeeling district has alpine vegetation.
Takeaway: West Bengal's Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, receives 200-250 cm annual rainfall and lies at sea level, making it a classic tropical evergreen ecosystem.

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Q.5

WBCS Prelims 2005

Proportion of area under forest cover in West Bengal is

A. 0.13500000000000001

B. 0.11799999999999999

C. 14.2%.

D. 0.2

Explanation

Why Correct: According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, West Bengal's forest cover is 14.2% of its geographical area, totaling approximately 12,994 sq km.
Distractor Analysis: 13.5% was the 2019 figure from ISFR 2019. 11.8% represents an older historical figure from earlier assessments. 20.0% is the national forest policy target, not West Bengal's current achievement.
Takeaway: West Bengal's forest cover increased from 13.38% in ISFR 2019 to 14.2% in ISFR 2021, with North Bengal districts containing most of the state's forest area.

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