Consider the following states:ChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshMaharashtraOdishaWith reference to the State

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2019 UPSC Prelims Environment & Ecology paper.

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This UPSC Prelims 2019 Environment & Ecology question has a hard difficulty level and is marked as an important question.

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Question

Consider the following states:ChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshMaharashtraOdishaWith reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — 3-2-4-1 (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh)Step-by-step Solution:As per the Forest Survey of India (FSI) State of Forest Report 2017, the percentage of forest cover to total state area in ascending order for these states:Maharashtra (3): Approximately 16.47% — lowest among the four states. Maharashtra is a large state with substantial semi-arid and arid areas (Marathwada, Vidarbha plateaus), and forest cover constitutes a relatively small portion of its total area despite its large absolute forest area. Lowest → First in ascending orderMadhya Pradesh (2): Approximately 25.11% — MP has significant forest coverage (it is among the states with highest absolute forest area in India — including Satpura, Vindhya, and Bastar forests), but as a percentage of its vast total area, it is lower than Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Second in ascending orderOdisha (4): Approximately 32.98% — Odisha has substantial forest cover, particularly in its tribal and hilly interior districts (Similipal, Eastern Ghats forests). Third in ascending orderChhattisgarh (1): Approximately 41.09% — Chhattisgarh has the highest percentage forest cover among these four states. Roughly 41% of Chhattisgarh's total area is under forest — it is one of the most forested states in India (shares extensive Bastar forests with Madhya Pradesh). Highest → Last in ascending orderSo ascending order: Maharashtra (3) → MP (2) → Odisha (4) → Chhattisgarh (1) = 3-2-4-1Key Concept: India's forest cover (FSI 2021 report): Total forest and tree cover: 80.9 million hectares (24.62% of India's geographical area). States with highest % forest cover: Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76%), Manipur (74.34%). States with highest absolute forest cover: MP (~77,414 sq km), Arunachal Pradesh (~66,964 sq km), Chhattisgarh (~55,717 sq km), Odisha (~52,156 sq km), Maharashtra (~50,778 sq km). FSI conducts biennial State of Forest Report using remote sensing + ground truth.

Consider the following states:ChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshMaharashtraOdishaWith reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

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Consider the following states:ChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshMaharashtraOdishaWith reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

Master UPSC Prelims with Our Test Series

More Questions from Environmental Laws – EPA, Forest Act, Wildlife Protection Act

Frequently Asked Questions