Consider the following States: 1. Chhattisgarh 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Maharashtra 4. Odisha. With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of the State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

Answer: (c) 3-2-4-1

Maharashtra (~16%) < MP (~25%) < Odisha (~33%) < Chhattisgarh (~41%).

The idea

Two rankings exist and they give different answers. By area of forest, a large State wins: Madhya Pradesh is first. By percentage of the State under forest, a smaller, hillier State wins. The question asks for percentage.

Maharashtra: about 16% → Madhya Pradesh: about 25% → Odisha: about 33% → Chhattisgarh: about 41%

Why the others are wrong

(a) Puts MP below Maharashtra — MP has the largest forest AREA, but by share Maharashtra is lowest.

(d) Swaps Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

The trap

MP has the most forest by area in India, so it feels top. Percentage is a different ranking.

Also know

The figures come from the India State of Forest Report, published every two years by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun. “Forest cover” there means any land of one hectare or more with tree canopy of at least 10%, whoever owns it, so it includes plantations and orchards. The highest percentages are in Lakshadweep, Mizoram and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.