Test: India- Biogeographic Zones, Wildlife and Wetlands - UPSC MCQ

The Trans Himalayan Region is known for its high-altitude cold desert found in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) and Lauhala Spiti (Himachal Pradesh). This region has a rich diversity of wild sheep and goat species, making it the correct answer.

The Himalayas encompass a diverse range of biotic provinces and biomes and are home to endangered species like snow leopards and pandas.

The Western Ghats are known for their endemic species, and the Nilgiri tahr is the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, option a. Nilgiri tahr is the correct answer.

The Deccan Peninsula covers much of the southern and south-central plateau of India and serves as the catchment area for major rivers like Godavari, Tapti, Narmada, and Mahanadi. Therefore, option b. Deccan Peninsula is the correct answer.

North-East India represents the transition zone between the Indian, Indo-Malayan, and Indo-Chinese biogeographical regions. It is the meeting point of the Himalayan Mountains and peninsular India, making option d. North-East India the correct answer.

Gujarat Coastal Plain is formed by the alluvial deposits of the Sabarmati, Mahi and numerous tiny parallel consequent streams whose process of formation is still continuing.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their diverse biomes and rich coral reefs. The Narcondam hornbill is found in the Andaman Islands, making option a. Narcondam hornbills the correct answer.

The Indian Desert is an extremely arid region that includes both the salty desert of Gujarat and the sand desert of Rajasthan. Therefore, option a. Indian Desert is the correct answer.

North-East India is known as the "biogeographical Gateway" as it represents the transition between the Indian, Indo-Malayan, and Indo-Chinese biogeographical regions. Thus, option c. North-East India is the correct answer.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal are known for their evergreen forests, diverse corals, and high endemism. Therefore, option d. Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the correct answer.