Question map
Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?
Explanation
The correct answer is option D - Namdapha National Park. Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh is unique among Indian national parks due to its exceptional altitudinal range, spanning from approximately 200 meters to over 4,500 meters above sea level. This dramatic elevation gradient creates distinct climatic zones within the park boundaries.
The park encompasses tropical-subtropical[4] forests at lower elevations and temperate-boreal[3] forests and woodlands at higher altitudes. As elevation increases further, the climate transitions through temperate zones into alpine and arctic conditions near the peaks. This makes Namdapha one of the few protected areas in the world where such a complete spectrum of climatic zones exists within a single park.
The other options - Khangchendzonga, Nandadevi, and Neora Valley National Parks - while located in mountainous regions with significant elevation ranges, do not encompass the same comprehensive range from tropical through arctic zones. Namdapha's location in the Eastern Himalayas and its vast altitudinal span give it this distinctive characteristic, supporting an incredibly diverse range of ecosystems and species adapted to different climatic conditions.
Sources- [1] https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2020-037-En.pdf
- [2] https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2020-037-En.pdf
- [3] https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2020-037-En.pdf
- [4] https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2020-037-En.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Superlative' question. UPSC loves National Parks that hold a unique record (e.g., 'only floating park', 'widest climate range'). The phrase 'Tropical to Arctic' is the specific Unique Selling Point (USP) of Namdapha in standard geography and environment modules.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does Khangchendzonga National Park have a climate that ranges from tropical and subtropical through temperate to arctic?
- Statement 2: Does Nanda Devi National Park have a climate that ranges from tropical and subtropical through temperate to arctic?
- Statement 3: Does Neora Valley National Park have a climate that ranges from tropical and subtropical through temperate to arctic?
- Statement 4: Does Namdapha National Park have a climate that ranges from tropical and subtropical through temperate to arctic?
Explains that the Himalayas include alpine (cold/snowy) climates and lower Himalayan zones are temperate, while lower plains are subtropical—showing vertical zonation in Himalayan regions.
A student could combine this rule of vertical climatic zonation with the park's position in the Himalayas and its elevation range (from a map or park data) to judge whether multiple climate bands are plausible.
States latitude (Tropic of Cancer) splits India into tropical and subtropical/temperate zones, giving a latitudinal basis for different climate zones within India.
Using the park's latitude on a map relative to the Tropic of Cancer, a student could infer whether tropical/subtropical influences are possible at lower elevations of the park.
Reiterates that parts of India south of the Tropic of Cancer are tropical and areas north are subtropical—useful for assessing broad climatic potential of northern Himalayan locations.
Combine the park's latitudinal location with this latitudinal climate division to assess likely presence of tropical/subtropical versus temperate zones at different elevations.
Defines warm temperate (mid-latitude) climates and their latitude bands (30°–50°) and characteristics, supplying a framework for identifying temperate climate at certain latitudes/elevations.
A student could compare the park's latitude and known elevation-dependent lapse rates (standard outside knowledge) to see if temperate conditions could occur within the park.
Describes the progression from sub-Arctic/taiga to Arctic tundra poleward and the concept of climate zones changing with latitude, a general pattern of zonation.
Using this pattern, a student could reason that extremely high elevations (analogous to higher latitudes in climatic effect) in the park might support arctic-like climates, if elevations are sufficient.
Lists Nanda Devi among peaks of the Greater Himalaya, implying very high elevations where climates vary with altitude.
A student could combine this with a topographic map or known elevation zonation to infer possible temperature/vegetation belts up the mountain.
Explains that the Himalayas exhibit distinct altitudinal climates: alpine (cold/snowy) at high reaches and temperate lower down; mentions temperate and alpine zones explicitly.
Use this rule to expect alpine/arctic conditions at Nanda Devi's high altitudes and temperate conditions at lower slopes.
Gives a latitudinal rule: areas north of the Tropic of Cancer fall in sub-tropical and temperate zones while south fall in tropical zone.
Combine Nanda Devi’s latitudinal position (north of Tropic of Cancer) with this rule to assess whether subtropical/temperate zones are plausible for some elevations.
Identifies Nanda Devi as a biosphere reserve in India, a designation often applied to areas with multiple ecological/altitudinal zones.
A student could take this as a cue to look for documented zonation (vegetation/climate belts) within the reserve using maps or reserve descriptions.
Explains that much of India lies in tropical and subtropical zones (Tropic of Cancer divides the country), so locations in eastern India can have tropical/subtropical climates.
A student could locate Neora Valley on a map (in eastern India, near the Tropic of Cancer) to judge whether parts of the park fall in tropical/subtropical latitudinal bands.
Defines tropical humid climates as occurring between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn with hot, humid conditions and high rainfall.
If low-elevation parts of Neora Valley are within the tropical belt, a student could infer they might exhibit these tropical humid characteristics.
States warm temperate (mid-latitude) climates occur roughly between 30°–50° latitude and describes temperate climate characteristics.
A student can compare Neora Valley’s latitude/altitude to these bands to assess whether temperate conditions are plausible at some elevations or latitudinal positions.
Gives examples of altitude-related climate change in India: Himalayas have alpine climate, lower hills are temperate, plains are subtropical.
By combining Neora Valley’s Himalayan hill/mountain setting with elevation maps, a student could infer a vertical sequence from tropical/subtropical at low slopes to temperate/alpine at higher slopes.
Describes the 'Cool Temperate Continental / sub-Arctic' (taiga) and Arctic tundra as high-latitude climates, illustrating what 'arctic' climate means in climatic taxonomy.
A student could use this definition to judge whether any part of Neora Valley could truly meet 'arctic' criteria (likely requiring very high altitude) by comparing park elevations to conditions described for Arctic/sub‑Arctic climates.
Explains latitude as a primary control on climate and that areas north of the Tropic of Cancer lie in subtropical and temperate zones.
A student can locate Namdapha's latitude on a map to see whether it falls near the Tropic/transition zones and thus could include tropical to temperate climates.
Defines the tropical humid climate as restricted to the zone between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
By checking whether parts of Namdapha lie within or south of the Tropic of Cancer (or at low elevation within the tropical belt), one could infer presence of tropical climates at lower elevations.
Gives the latitudinal band (30°–50°) where warm temperate (mid-latitude) climates occur.
Compare Namdapha's latitude to this band to assess whether warm temperate climates are plausible at regional-scale locations.
Notes that in India, high mountains have alpine climate and lower hilly areas have temperate climates—showing altitude produces colder climate types within the same region.
A student can combine this altitude–climate rule with Namdapha's altitudinal range (from maps or park data) to judge if alpine/arctic-like climates could occur at high elevations.
Reiterates the definition and latitudinal limits of tropical humid climates, emphasizing where 'tropical' conditions exist.
Use this definition together with a map to identify whether lower parts of Namdapha fall within the tropical belt, supporting presence of tropical climates at low elevations.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. This is a standard fact found in almost every 'Protected Areas of India' compilation (Shankar IAS, PMF IAS, or Year Book).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Altitudinal Zonation of Vegetation. The concept that as you go up the Himalayas, climate mimics the journey from Equator to Poles.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the USPs of other Himalayan parks: Khangchendzonga (First Mixed Heritage Site, Lepcha tribe); Nanda Devi (Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage, strictly Temperate-Alpine); Neora Valley (Red Panda, West Bengal); Hemis (Largest NP, Snow Leopard).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize the climate of all 100+ parks. Only memorize the climate for parks with extreme vertical gradients (foothills to peaks). Namdapha rises from ~200m to ~4500m, making it physically unique.
The statement asserts a vertical sequence of climates (tropical → subtropical → temperate → arctic-like); Himalayan altitude-driven zoning explains such transitions.
UPSC questions often ask how altitude modifies climate within mountain systems. Mastering altitudinal zonation helps answer questions on vegetation belts, biodiversity gradients and human settlement in mountain regions. Study by linking Himalayan examples (alpine, temperate, subtropical) and practice sketching vertical climate/vegetation profiles.
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Climates of India > Types of Climates in India > p. 48
Distinguishing India's tropical, subtropical and temperate regions is necessary to evaluate claims about a location in the Indian Himalayas spanning multiple climate zones.
High-yield for UPSC: questions probe latitude-related climate controls, distribution of climatic zones, and implications for agriculture and population. Connect this to monsoon behaviour and use NCERT maps/text to memorise zone boundaries and examples.
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > FACTORS DETERMINING THE CLIMATE OF INDIA > p. 29
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Climate > Latitude > p. 27
Understanding named climate types and their characteristic ranges (tropical marine, warm temperate, taiga/arctic) lets one judge whether a site's climate could include 'arctic' or other types.
Useful for comparing regional climates and for demand-type UPSC questions asking which climate types occur where. Learn key characteristics and typical latitudinal/altitudinal positions of each type to eliminate wrong options in source-based questions.
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 16: The Tropical Monsoon and Tropical Marine Climate > The Tropical Marine Climate > p. 159
- FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: World Climate and Climate Change > Warm Temperate (Mid-Latitude) Climates-C > p. 93
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 23: The Cool Temperate Continental (Siberian) Climate > Distribution > p. 216
References describe how latitude (Tropic of Cancer) divides India into tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, which is central to claims about broad climatic ranges.
High-yield for UPSC: questions often test how latitude influences climate, seasonal variation and vegetation; links to monsoon behaviour and regional planning. Master by mapping latitudinal belts, linking to climatic descriptions and practice questions.
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > FACTORS DETERMINING THE CLIMATE OF INDIA > p. 29
Sources state the Himalayas have alpine climates at higher elevations and temperate climates lower down — relevant when evaluating climate variation in mountain reserves like Nanda Devi.
Important for UPSC topics on mountain ecosystems, biodiversity and disaster vulnerability; frequently asked in geography and environment papers. Prepare by studying altitudinal belts, corresponding vegetation and examples (hill stations, alpine zones).
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Climates of India > Types of Climates in India > p. 48
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 2. The Greater Himalaya > p. 12
Several references identify Nanda Devi as a biosphere reserve and World Heritage Site, placing it contextually in Himalayan conservation frameworks even if climatic details are not given.
Useful for UPSC environment and polity questions on conservation policy, protected area categories and international designations. Learn lists and significance of major reserves, and connect to climate/altitude-driven biodiversity patterns.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > BIOSPHERE RESERVES > p. 49
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 7.r Natural World Sites > p. 434
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > Table 5.8 > p. 51
The statement lists climate types that are fundamentally organized by latitude; references explain how India's position relative to the Tropic of Cancer determines tropical vs subtropical/temperate zones.
High-yield for UPSC geography: questions often ask how latitude controls broad climate belts, or to classify regional climates. Understanding the latitudinal framework helps link location (e.g., Tropic of Cancer) to likely climate types and is useful for case-based questions about regional climate variations. Study by mapping latitudinal belts and practicing map-based questions.
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Climate > Latitude > p. 27
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > FACTORS DETERMINING THE CLIMATE OF INDIA > p. 29
Namdapha is also the only National Park in the world to harbour four feline species of big cats: Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard. This is the next logical question about this specific park.
Apply the 'Base Elevation' Logic. To have 'Tropical' climate, a park must start at low elevation (foothills/plains). Nanda Devi and Khangchendzonga have high base elevations (starting >1500m-2000m), meaning they skip the tropical phase and start directly at Subtropical/Temperate. Only Namdapha (Arunachal foothills) starts low enough (~200m) to include the Tropical zone.
Mains GS-1 & GS-3: Link this to 'Ecotones'. Namdapha acts as a massive vertical ecotone. This makes it highly resilient to climate change (species can migrate upwards) but also vulnerable to 'mountaintop extinction' for alpine species.