Question

In percentage terms, which Indian state has the highest forest cover?

• A. Madhya Pradesh
• B. Harit Pradesh
• C. Nagaland
• D. Arunachal Pradesh
• E. Jammu and Kashmir

Hint:

Remember: - Largest {absolute area} of forest = Madhya Pradesh. - Highest {percentage of area} under forest cover = Arunachal Pradesh (Northeast states dominate in % terms).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Distinguish between absolute area and percentage cover.

• Madhya Pradesh has the largest absolute forest area in India (\(>77{,}000 \, \text{sq. km}\)).
• But the question asks for percentage terms (forest cover as a fraction of total geographical area).

Step 2: States with highest forest % cover.
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR):

• Arunachal Pradesh: \(\sim 79\%\) of its geographical area is under forest cover.
• Other Northeastern states like Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur also have very high percentages (\(>70\%\)).
• Madhya Pradesh, despite having the maximum forest area, has only about \(25\%-28\%\) of its land under forests.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Hence, in terms of percentage cover:

\[ \boxed{\text{Arunachal Pradesh has the highest forest cover percentage.}} \]