Consider the following pairs:
Contents14
Consider the following pairs:
| Protected Area | Physical Region | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nokrek Biosphere Reserve | Garo Hills |
| 2. | Logtak (Loktak) Lake | Barail Range |
| 3. | Namdapha National Park | Dafla Hills |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1, 2 and 3
- DNone
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
Pair 1 is correct —
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
It is known for its wild citrus (Citrus indica), considered the ancestor of all citrus species.
Pair 2 is wrong —
Loktak Lake is in Manipur but it is NOT in the Barail Range.
Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in North-East India and is famous for its floating islands (phumdis) and the Keibul Lamjao National Park (the world's only floating national park).
The Barail Range separates Manipur from Nagaland — but the lake itself is in the Manipur valley, not in the Barail Range.
Pair 3 is wrong —
Namdapha National Park is in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, in the Mishmi Hills — NOT in the Dafla Hills.
Dafla Hills (now called Nyishi Hills) are in a different part of Arunachal Pradesh.
So only pair 1 is correct.
Northeast India contains multiple hill ranges and protected areas that students often confuse due to similar names and proximity.
The question tests precise geographical knowledge of where specific protected areas are located within the complex hill systems of Northeast India, not just general awareness of these places.
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Geography Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Garo Hills
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve: Location & Significance
Located in Garo Hills of Meghalaya
Home to Citrus indica - ancestor of all citrus species
One of India's 18 Biosphere Reserves
Key Features
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya and is globally significant for biodiversity conservation. The reserve protects the wild citrus species Citrus indica, which scientists consider the genetic ancestor of all cultivated citrus fruits worldwide.
Established as biosphere reserve in 2009
Part of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme
Covers the Nokrek Peak area in West Garo Hills district
Location Map
Source: UPSC Colorfull notes — Nokrek National Park & Biosphere Reserve- History, Geography ... · upsccolorfullnotes.com
Don't confuse Garo Hills (Meghalaya) with Khasi Hills or Jaintia Hills
Citrus indica is the wild ancestor - not just any citrus variety
It's a Biosphere Reserve, not just a National Park
Loktak Lake Geography
Geography Logtak Loktak Barail Range
Loktak Lake: Correct Location & Features
Located in Manipur valley, NOT in Barail Range
Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India
Famous for phumdis (floating islands)
Houses Keibul Lamjao - world's only floating national park
Geographic Location
Loktak Lake is situated in the Manipur valley in central Manipur state. The Barail Range runs along the Manipur-Nagaland border in the north, but the lake itself lies in the valley plains - not in the hill ranges.
Loktak vs Barail Range
Feature | Loktak Lake | Barail Range |
|---|---|---|
Location | Manipur valley (central plains) | Manipur-Nagaland border (northern hills) |
Elevation | Low-lying valley | Hill range |
Type | Freshwater lake with phumdis | Mountain range |
Districts | Bishnupur, Imphal West | Separates Manipur from Nagaland |
Location Context
Map of Manipur showing Loktak Lake in the central valley and Barail Range along northern border with Nagaland
Loktak Lake sits in central valley while Barail Range forms the northern border hills
Trap: Barail Range is in Manipur but the lake is NOT located there
Don't confuse: Valley location vs hill range location
Remember: Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, not all of India
Namdapha National Park
Geography Namdapha National Park Dafla Hills
Namdapha National Park: Correct Location
Located in Mishmi Hills, NOT Dafla Hills
Situated in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh
India's largest national park by area
Only park with all four big cats of India
Geographic Context
Namdapha National Park is located in the Mishmi Hills in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the Myanmar border. The Dafla Hills (now called Nyishi Hills) are in a different part of Arunachal Pradesh, mainly in the central region.
Hill Ranges of Arunachal Pradesh
Hill Range | Location in State | Major Protected Areas |
|---|---|---|
Mishmi Hills | Eastern AP (Changlang, Lohit) | Namdapha National Park |
Dafla Hills (Nyishi Hills) | Central AP | Various smaller reserves |
Aka Hills | Western AP | Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary |
Patkai Hills | Southeastern AP | Extensions into Nagaland |
Location Map
Source: Drishti IAS — Namdapha National Park · www.drishtiias.com
Major trap: Confusing Mishmi Hills (correct) with Dafla Hills (wrong)
Remember: Namdapha is near Myanmar border in eastern AP
Don't mix: Different hill ranges within same state
Northeast India Hill Ranges
Geography Garo Hills Barail Range Dafla Hills
Major Hill Ranges of Northeast India
Northeast hills are part of Purvachal range system
Each state has distinct hill ranges with different names
These ranges separate different valleys and states
State-wise Hill Ranges
State | Major Hill Ranges | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Meghalaya | Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills | Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Garo Hills |
Arunachal Pradesh | Mishmi Hills, Dafla Hills, Aka Hills | Namdapha in Mishmi Hills |
Manipur-Nagaland Border | Barail Range | Separates the two states |
Mizoram | Mizo Hills, Lushai Hills | Part of Arakan Yoma extension |
Assam | Karbi Anglong Hills, North Cachar Hills | Central Assam highlands |
Purvachal System
# Northeast Hill Ranges
## Meghalaya Plateau
- Garo Hills
- Khasi Hills
- Jaintia Hills
## Arunachal Ranges
- Mishmi Hills
- Dafla Hills
- Aka Hills
- Patkai Hills
## Border Ranges
- Barail Range
- Naga Hills
- Manipur Hills
## Southern Ranges
- Mizo Hills
- Tripura HillsDon't assume all hills in a state belong to one range - AP has multiple ranges
Border ranges like Barail separate states but landmarks may be in valleys
Meghalaya has three distinct hill ranges - Garo, Khasi, Jaintia