Question 23 from UPSC CSE 2020 - GEOGRAPHY

Question

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin?
1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1, 3, and 4 only

Strategy: - Focus on protected areas associated with the Cauvery river or its tributaries.
- Identify Nagarhole National Park, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary as aligning with the Cauvery basin.
- Exclude Papikonda National Park due to its association with the Godavari river.
- Select only protected areas geographically located within the Cauvery basin.

Key Info: The Cauvery basin, spanning the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Puducherry, is one of the major river basins in Southern India, supporting significant biodiversity and numerous protected areas:

- **Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park)**: Located in Karnataka, it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The park is traversed by the Kabini river, a major tributary of the Cauvery, making it integral to the Cauvery river system. It is known for habitats supporting tigers, elephants, and diverse flora and fauna.

- **Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve**: Situated in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, at the convergence of Eastern and Western Ghats, this reserve forms a key corridor between various protected areas connected to the Cauvery river, including the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The Moyar river, a tributary of the Bhavani, itself a major tributary of the Cauvery, drains its landscape.

- **Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary**: Located in Kerala, adjacent to Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks. The Kabini river (originating as the Panamaram and Mananthavady rivers) flows through the sanctuary and joins the Cauvery downstream, cementing its inclusion in the Cauvery basin ecosystem.

- **Papikonda National Park**: Spanning East and West Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh along the Papi Hills, it is drained by the Godavari river, not linked to the Cauvery basin. Major species include the tiger and a diversity of birds, but its geography excludes it from the Cauvery river catchment area.

Protected Areas are notified spaces for conservation of ecosystems and species. Riverine links define many boundaries, as river basins create unique microclimates and habitats relevant to their aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 3 and 4 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, 3, and 4

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin? Nagarhole National Park Papikonda National Park Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin?

Nagarhole National Park

Papikonda National Park

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Select the correct answer using the code given below: