Question

Which of the following is considered a hot-spot of biodiversity in India?
A) Eastern ghats
B) Aravalli hills
C) Western ghats
D) Indo-gangetic plain

Answer 1

Hint: Biodiversity hotspots refer to the regions where biodiversity is reserved in a particular area. It can be called a reservoir of biodiversity. These hotspot zones are characterized by the presence of endemic species. The endemic species are the species that are limited to a particular region or they have a maximum abundance in a particular area. This is also referred to as species richness.

Complete answer:
Biodiversity hotspots are the regions of megadiversity. These areas are rich in biodiversity. They reserve the endangered species. In India four hotspots are present namely, Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burman region and Sundaland which consists of Nicobar group of Islands.
On the other hand, Aravalli hills are present in the south west direction starting from north India region of Delhi while Eastern Ghats are present in eastern coast of India and Indo gangetic plains, also known as Indus Ganga plains or the Indian River plain are the fertile plains extending in the northern central part of India

So, the correct answer is option “C” that is the Western Ghats are considered a hot-spot of biodiversity in India.

Note: Biodiversity refers to variations which can be measured in terms of variability at the genetic, ecosystem and species level. The Western Ghats covers a distance of approximately 1600 km in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The tropical evergreen rain forests are present 500 meters above sea level while semi-evergreen forests are present at an elevation of 500-1000 meters. Agasthyamalai hills, Amarambalam reserve and silent valley are the other major regions of biodiversity.