Western Ghats and northeastern hills of India are primarily covered with which type of natural vegetation?

Correct option is A

Correct Answer: (a) Tropical Evergreen Forests
Explanation:
· Both the Western Ghats and the northeastern states receive heavy rainfall (200–400 cm) and have a humid climate, ideal for tropical evergreen forests.
· These forests remain green throughout the year because trees do not shed leaves simultaneously.
· Dominant species include mahogany, rosewood, ebony, rubber, and bamboo.
· These regions are India’s major biodiversity hotspots, home to endemic fauna like lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr and hoolock gibbon.
· NCERT (Class 9 Geography) classifies both regions under Tropical Evergreen Forests.
Information Booster:
· Western Ghats → UNESCO World Heritage Site.
· Northeast India → One of the world’s richest biodiversity zones.
· Evergreen forests store massive carbon reserves and are crucial for climate regulation.
Additional Knowledge:
· Deciduous forests → occur in 100–200 cm rainfall (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh).
· Thorn forests → occur in <75 cm rainfall (Rajasthan).
· Montane forests → occur at high altitudes, not the dominant type here.