A. particular State in India has the following characteristics: 1) It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan. 2) It has over 70% of its area under forest cover. 3) Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State. Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?

The answer is A) Arunachal Pradesh. Its northwestern part reaches about 29°30' N, the same latitude that runs through northern Rajasthan, which is the first clue. Arunachal's forest cover is around 79% of its geographical area in the India State of Forest Report, so it clears the 70% mark. Its protected area network covers a little over 12% of its forest cover, which fits the third clue.

• Assam lies mostly south of 27° N and its forest cover is well under 70% of its area.
• Himachal Pradesh is located further north and its recorded forest cover is far below 70%.
• Uttarakhand is also at a northern latitude, but its forest cover is nowhere near 70%; the latest reports put it around 45% of geographical area.

The core concept is combining latitude with forest-cover statistics, which the Prelims often tests through state-level data from ISFR and Protected Area reports. For Mains, Arunachal's dense forests and protected areas connect to biodiversity conservation and the trade-off between development projects and forest rights.

Trap: Students often pick Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh because they seem 'northern', and they forget that the forest-cover percentage is the decisive filter.