Question map
Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?
Explanation
Valley of Flowers National Park lies completely [2]in the temperate alpine zone. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the high Himalayas of Uttarakhand at elevations between 3,200 to 6,600 meters. The park is home to 520 alpine plants that grow exclusively in this national park[3], making it a unique biodiversity hotspot for high-altitude flora.
In contrast, the other options are incorrect: Manas National Park in Assam is a tropical forest located in the foothills of the Himalayas; Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh spans multiple zones from tropical to subtropical; and Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal also covers lower elevations with subtropical and temperate forests. Only Valley of Flowers National Park is situated entirely within the temperate alpine zone, characterized by its high-altitude meadows and endemic alpine vegetation.
Sources- [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_Flowers_National_Park
- [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_Flowers_National_Park
- [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_Flowers_National_Park
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Geography by Map' question disguised as Environment. You don't need to memorize the biome of every park; you only need to map them to their physiography. Manas is in the Brahmaputra floodplains (lowland), while 'Alpine' strictly means high altitude (above tree line). The keyword 'Completely' is the killer constraint.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does Manas National Park lie completely in the temperate alpine zone?
- Statement 2: Does Namdapha National Park lie completely in the temperate alpine zone?
- Statement 3: Does Neora Valley National Park lie completely in the temperate alpine zone?
- Statement 4: Does Valley of Flowers National Park lie completely in the temperate alpine zone?
Explicitly places Manas among features of the Brahmaputra Plain (alongside Kaziranga), implying a lowland/riverine plain location rather than high mountain terrain.
A student can check a map or elevation data for the Brahmaputra Plain/Manas to compare its typical lowland elevations with alpine/temperate elevation bands given below.
Gives explicit altitudinal bands for Himalayan vegetation: subtropical up to ~1525 m, temperate 1525–3650 m, alpine 3650–4575 m.
Compare Manas' elevation (from maps or gazetteers) to these bands to see if it falls within temperate or alpine ranges.
States alpine and sub‑alpine forests occur along the Himalayas at altitudes ~2500–3500 m (and alpine pastures above ~3500 m), giving another set of elevation thresholds for alpine zones.
Use these altitude thresholds against Manas' known elevations to infer whether it could be alpine/temperate.
Describes vertical zonation of the Himalayas: temperate broad‑leaved in Lesser Himalayas, temperate coniferous around 3500 m, alpine pastures around 4500 m, showing alpine is high elevation.
A student can note alpine corresponds to high Himalayan elevations and thus question alpine classification for a park in the Brahmaputra plain.
Defines alpine tundra as 'above the timberline' and notes it occurs at high elevation in the Himalayas, linking alpine to zones above tree growth limits.
Check whether Manas' environment is above timberline or has alpine tundra vegetation to assess the claim.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.