Mountain Quiz

Notes:
International Mountain Day is observed on 11 December every year to highlight the importance of mountains for life on Earth. The day aims to raise global awareness and encourage positive action to support mountain communities and protect fragile mountain environments. The theme for International Mountain Day 2025 is “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.” The theme aligns with the UN’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, emphasising the urgent need to protect glaciers threatened by climate change. It highlights how glaciers are essential for water security, agriculture, and livelihoods for millions of people living in mountain regions and downstream areas.

Notes:
Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department recently organized six days of daily bird walks at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary for Wildlife Week 2025. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the South Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range, on the Delhi-Haryana border. It forms part of the Southern Ridge and connects with the Indo-Gangetic Plain, making it rich in biodiversity. The sanctuary is a key segment of the North Aravalli Leopard Wildlife Corridor, which begins at Sariska National Park in Rajasthan, passes through Haryana districts, and reaches the Delhi Ridge.

Notes:
The 12th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS-XII) was held at Doon University, Dehradun on 26 September. Sustainable Mountain Development Summit is a flagship annual summit addressing ecological, economic, and social challenges of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). It is organised by the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), a civil society-led network. The aim is to promote sustainable Himalayan development, strengthen community participation, and blend science with traditional wisdom.

Notes:
Malaya Mountains, also called Pothigai, are cited in ancient texts and form part of Kerala’s Western Ghats.

Notes:
Pariyatra Mountains, also called Paripatra and Sanapada, lie west of Mahameru near Prayaga, as per Mahabharata and Puranas.

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Ear “popping” occurs due to pressure difference between the inner ear and outside air. The Eustachian tubes open to equalize pressure across the eardrum, typically during altitude changes such as in airplanes or while climbing mountains. This is a normal physiological response.

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Cross River Gorilla is the most endangered great ape in Africa—correct. Mountain Gorilla is the largest subspecies—correct. Western Lowland Gorilla is the most numerous—correct. All three pairs are correctly matched.

Notes:
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reported that the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) use only 6.1% of their renewable energy potential. ICIMOD is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre established on 5 December 1983. Its mission is to drive policies, attract investments, and support greener, inclusive, and climate-resilient development. Member countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. It generates and shares knowledge, bridges science with policy, and offers a platform for collaboration. The Headquarters is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Notes:
The Andes extend through Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia, making statement 2 correct. The Alps are shared by France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany—statement 3 is correct. The Great Rift Valley lies mainly in East Africa, not North Africa, and the Rockies do not reach Mexico, making statements 1 and 4 incorrect.

Notes:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Katabatic winds are cool, dense air masses flowing downslope under gravity, commonly observed in Antarctica and Greenland. Statement 3 is incorrect: Anabatic wind refers to upslope movement of warm air due to heating of slopes during the day, not downslope movement caused by cooling.