UPSC Prelims 2014 GS Paper I · Q26 of 100 Environment & Ecology hard

Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

  1. (a) Bhutia and Lepcha
  2. (b) Gond and Korku ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) Irula and Toda
  4. (d) Sahariya and Agariya

Why the answer is (b)

• The Gond and Korku tribes of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra observe 'Hariyali Amavasya' / the monsoon month of Shravan as a period for planting saplings of fruit-bearing trees such as mango, jamun and mahua, an ecologically significant tradition — option (b).

• Bhutia and Lepcha (a) are Sikkim tribes; Irula and Toda (c) are Nilgiri tribes; Sahariya and Agariya (d) are central Indian tribes without this specific festival.

• Hence option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Bhutia and Lepcha
Bhutia and Lepcha do not observe this planting festival.
(c) Irula and Toda
Irula and Toda do not observe it.
(d) Sahariya and Agariya
Sahariya and Agariya do not observe it.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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