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Recently, our scientists have discovered new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 meters and has the orange – colored form of pulp. In which part of India has been discovered?

  1. Andaman Islands
  2. Anaimalai Forests
  3. Maikal Hills
  4. Tropical rainforest of north east

Explanation

Option (a) is correct
  • The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a unique banana species, Musa indandamanensis, in the tropical rainforests of Little Andaman, specifically within the Krishna Nalah forest.
    • BSI is the apex taxonomic research organisation of the country under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and was established in 1890 under the direction of Sir George King in Kolkata.
  • This species stands out for its distinctive green flowers and an impressive fruit bunch axis, known as the lux, which is around one meter long—three times the size of common banana species.
  • Additionally, Musa indandamanensis reaches a height of approximately 11 meters, towering over typical banana species, which usually grow to just 3-4 meters.
Option (b) is incorrect
  • The Anamalai Hills, also known as the Elephant Hills, are located in the Western Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Option (c) is incorrect
  • Maikal Hills (Eastern part of the Satpura Range), located between Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Inhabited by the tribal peoples like Baiga and Gond.
  • Kanha National Park is nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh.
Option (d) is incorrect
  • Tropical Rain Forests occur in the areas which receive heavy rainfall. They are so dense that sunlight doesn’t reach the ground.
  • Many species of trees are found in these forests, which shed their leaves at different times of the year. Therefore, they always appear green and are called evergreen forest,
  • Important trees found in these forests are mahogany, ebony and rosewood. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, parts of North-Eastern states and a narrow strip of the Western slope of the Western Ghats are home of these forests.

A colored vegetation map of India showing various vegetation types with labeled color-coded boxes such as Tropical Dry Deciduous in red, Tropical Wet Evergreen in green, and Montane Wet Temperate in purple. The map highlights distinct regions like Cold Desert, Hot Desert, and Himalayan zones, illustrating distribution and diversity of vegetation across the country.

Answer: (a) Andaman Islands; Difficulty Level: Hard
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