Q. Consider the following statements:
- In India, the Himalayas are spread over five States only.
- Western Ghats are spread over five States only.
- Pulicat Lake is spread over two States only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2017)
Answer:
3 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 3 only. This question requires a precise understanding of Indian physical geography and the political boundaries across which these natural features stretch.
- Himalayas (Statement 1 – Incorrect): The Indian Himalayan Region is much more extensive than five states. It spreads across the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, and the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and the hilly regions of West Bengal (Darjeeling/Kalimpong) and Assam. Even if excluding UTs, the count exceeds five.
- Western Ghats (Statement 2 – Incorrect): The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. It spreads over six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- Pulicat Lake (Statement 3 – Correct): Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India (after Chilika Lake). It is indeed spread over two states: Andhra Pradesh (approximately 84% of the area) and Tamil Nadu (approximately 16% of the area). The barrier island of Sriharikota, which houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal.
Summary Table for Quick Revision:| Geographic Feature | Number of States/UTs (Approx.) | Key States |
| Himalayas | 10+ States & 2 UTs | J&K, HP, UK, Sikkim, NE States |
| Western Ghats | 6 States | GJ, MH, GA, KA, TN, KL |
| Pulicat Lake | 2 States | AP, TN |