The total geographical area of India is 32,87,469 sq km, of which about 6,75,500 sq km—equal to 22.50 per cent—is under forests. According to the National Forest Policy (1952) about 33 per cent of the geographical area should be under forest. However, the existing forest area is much below the desired level. Madhya Pradesh with 77,265 sq km has the largest area under forests in India, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 68,045 sq km and Chhattisgarh with 56,448 sq. km. The rank of Orissa and Maharashtra are fourth and fifth respectively. With only 1754 sq. km, Haryana has the lowest area under forest among the states of India. In terms of percentage, Mizoram with 83 per cent of its area under forest holds the first rank, followed by Mizoram at 81 per cent and Nagaland at 80.50 per cent.

Correct Option: D

The total geographical area of India is 32,87,469 sq km, of which about 6,75,500 sq km—equal to 22.50 per cent—is under forests. According to the National Forest Policy (1952) about 33 per cent of the geographical area should be under forest. However, the existing forest area is much below the desired level. Madhya Pradesh with 77,265 sq km has the largest area under forests in India, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 68,045 sq km and Chhattisgarh with 56,448 sq. km. The rank of Orissa and Maharashtra are fourth and fifth respectively. With only 1754 sq. km, Haryana has the lowest area under forest among the states of India. In terms of percentage, Mizoram with 83 per cent of its area under forest holds the first rank, followed by Mizoram at 81 per cent and Nagaland at 80.50 per cent.

The Toda people are a small pastoral community who live on the isolated Nilgiri plateau of Southern India. Before the late 18th century, the Toda coexisted locally with other communities, including the Badaga, Kota, and Kuruba, in a loose caste-like community organization in which the Toda were the top ranking. During the last quarter of the 20th century, some Toda pasture land was lost due to agriculture by outsiders or afforestation by the State Government of Tamil Nadu. This has threatened to undermine Toda culture by greatly diminishing the buffalo herds; however during the last decade both Toda society and culture have also become the focus of an international effort at culturally sensitive environmental restoration. The Toda lands are now a part of The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated International Biosphere Reserve and is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

Correct Option: C

The Toda people are a small pastoral community who live on the isolated Nilgiri plateau of Southern India. Before the late 18th century, the Toda coexisted locally with other communities, including the Badaga, Kota, and Kuruba, in a loose caste-like community organization in which the Toda were the top ranking. During the last quarter of the 20th century, some Toda pasture land was lost due to agriculture by outsiders or afforestation by the State Government of Tamil Nadu. This has threatened to undermine Toda culture by greatly diminishing the buffalo herds; however during the last decade both Toda society and culture have also become the focus of an international effort at culturally sensitive environmental restoration. The Toda lands are now a part of The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated International Biosphere Reserve and is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres, making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Maharashtra covers an area of 307,731 km2 or 9.84% of the total geographical area of India; while Madhya Pradesh covers 308,252 km2 of the nation and is the sixth largest state in India by population. Both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are comparable to the size of Oman and both have area less than that of Poland. But, since Madhya Pradesh is bigger than Maharashtra, it should be the correct answer.

Correct Option: D

The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres, making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Maharashtra covers an area of 307,731 km2 or 9.84% of the total geographical area of India; while Madhya Pradesh covers 308,252 km2 of the nation and is the sixth largest state in India by population. Both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are comparable to the size of Oman and both have area less than that of Poland. But, since Madhya Pradesh is bigger than Maharashtra, it should be the correct answer.

North-Eastern India, the country’s tribal corner, with lush, beautiful landscapes, endemic flora and fauna of the Indo-Malayan group and famous for Tea Gardens, consists of seven tiny states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura. By Indian standards, some of them are larger than Switzerland or Austria. The Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, with an area of 83,743 km square is comparable to Austria. The territory of Austria covers 83,855 square kilometres. The area of Karnataka is 191,791 sq. km (comparable to Senegal); that of Kerala is 38,633 sq. km (comparable to Bhutan); and that of West Bengal is 88,752 sq. km (comparable to Serbia). West Bengal, among the given options, is the most suitable.

Correct Option: B

North-Eastern India, the country’s tribal corner, with lush, beautiful landscapes, endemic flora and fauna of the Indo-Malayan group and famous for Tea Gardens, consists of seven tiny states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura. By Indian standards, some of them are larger than Switzerland or Austria. The Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, with an area of 83,743 km square is comparable to Austria. The territory of Austria covers 83,855 square kilometres. The area of Karnataka is 191,791 sq. km (comparable to Senegal); that of Kerala is 38,633 sq. km (comparable to Bhutan); and that of West Bengal is 88,752 sq. km (comparable to Serbia). West Bengal, among the given options, is the most suitable.

Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of North East India, is inhabited largely by tribes. After Khasi, Garo comprise the largest population of tribes in Meghalaya. Most of these tribes habitat in Garo hills of Meghalaya, as the name depicts itself. Other than Meghalaya a sizeable population of these tribes can also be found in other states like Assam, Tripura, West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Correct Option: A

Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of North East India, is inhabited largely by tribes. After Khasi, Garo comprise the largest population of tribes in Meghalaya. Most of these tribes habitat in Garo hills of Meghalaya, as the name depicts itself. Other than Meghalaya a sizeable population of these tribes can also be found in other states like Assam, Tripura, West Bengal and Bangladesh.