Question 94 from UPSC CSE 2019 - Environment

Question

Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Valley of Flowers National Park

Strategy: Focus on the core requirement: a park entirely within the temperate alpine zone. The term 'alpine' implies high elevation, generally above 3,000 meters, with limited tree growth and floral meadows. Valley of Flowers, established in Uttarakhand at elevations averaging 3,200–3,600 meters, is widely known as an alpine zone site. The other parks (Manas, Namdapha, Neora Valley) include subtropical or temperate forest areas and are not wholly alpine. Thus, the Valley of Flowers is the correct answer.

Key Info: Valley of Flowers National Park is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, covering an area of approximately 87 sq. km. The park lies entirely within the temperate alpine zone, at elevations of about 3,200–3,600 meters above sea level. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is celebrated for its rich alpine flora, consisting of meadows of endemic flowers, and is surrounded by high Himalayan peaks, including the Zanskar range. The climate is typically cold, with a short growing season for alpine plants. In contrast:

- Manas National Park (Assam) features primarily tropical and subtropical forests with grasslands and does not reach alpine elevations.
- Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh) ranges from subtropical to temperate, but also includes lowland rainforest, and only some tracts reach higher altitudes—most of the park is not exclusively alpine.
- Neora Valley National Park (West Bengal) has temperate and subalpine forests but is not entirely within the alpine zone.

The temperate alpine zone is characterized by high elevation, absence or scarcity of trees, prevalence of shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and mosses, with a climate often dominated by snow cover for a significant part of the year. Valley of Flowers exemplifies this zone in the Indian National Park system.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Manas National Park

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Namdapha National Park

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Neora Valley National Park