RAS question
Babool (Acacia nilotica) is commonly found in which region of Rajasthan?
Correct answer: (B) Arid and semi-arid western regions.
Babool, or Acacia nilotica, is commonly found in the arid and semi-arid western regions of Rajasthan, where it is a key species of tropical thorn forests.
Explanation
Babool is linked to Rajasthan's tropical thorn forest belt. The Rajasthan Forest Department describes tropical thorn forests as occurring in the arid and semi-arid regions of western Rajasthan and lists Acacia nilotica among the main species found there. Babool is not merely a general tree of Rajasthan; it is a characteristic plant of a specific vegetation region. Western Rajasthan's thorn forest biome is therefore the correct setting. The Rajasthan Forest Department also names western districts such as Jodhpur, Pali, Jalore, Barmer, Nagaur, Churu and Bikaner for this forest type, making the arid and semi-arid western region the correct region rather than the wetter eastern, southern or plateau zones.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Hadoti plateau is not the main Babool-bearing tropical thorn belt; tropical thorn forests occur in arid and semi-arid western Rajasthan.
- (C) Eastern alluvial plains do not belong to Rajasthan's main tropical thorn forest region, which lies in the western arid and semi-arid belt.
- (D) Southern hills are a different vegetation setting from the western thorn forests where Acacia nilotica is a main species.
Concept
Rajasthan's natural vegetation zones depend closely on climate, region and dominant forest species. Thorn forests and western Rajasthan's arid ecology are standard geography markers in RAS preparation.