Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?

Answer: (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar: mangroves on the coast, wet evergreen forest inland, moist deciduous forest in between.

The idea

Each forest type has its own need. Mangroves need a sheltered, muddy sea coast. Evergreen forest needs heavy rain almost all year. Deciduous forest needs a dry spell. Only a wet tropical island group gives all three within a short distance.

Creeks and shores: mangroves → Wet valleys and hill slopes: giant evergreen forest → Drier slopes: moist deciduous forest

Why the others are wrong

(a) North coastal Andhra has mangroves and dry forest, but no evergreen forest.

(b) The Sundarbans have mangroves, but not evergreen and deciduous forest together.

(c) Saurashtra is dry — thorn and deciduous forest.

The trap

South-West Bengal (Sundarbans) is the famous mangrove area, so it tempts.

Also know

More than four-fifths of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is under forest. The Andaman padauk, a deciduous tree with red timber, is the best-known tree of the islands.