Silent Valley National Park & Pathrakkadavu Project — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2005

Consider the following statements:

1. Silent Valley National Park is in the Nallamalai range.
2. Pathrakkadavu Hydroelectric project is proposed to be built near the Silent Valley National Park.
3. The Kunthi river originates in Silent Valley’s rainforests.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Silent Valley National Park is located in the Nilgiri Hills in the Malappuram district, Kerala, and Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The park lies within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Bhavani River (a tributary of the Kaveri River) and Kunthipuzha River (a tributary of the Bharathappuzha River) originate in the vicinity of the park. The Kadalundi River also originates in this park. The Pathrakkadavu Hydroelectric Project (PHEP) was a proposed 70-megawatt run-of-the-river power project by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on the Kunthi river in Kerala, India.

Answer: (c) 2 and 3