Question

During the British period, teak plantations were raised in the ________ and acacia and eucalyptus in the ________.

• A. Malabar hills and Niligiri hills
• B. Niligiri hills and Malabar hills
• C. Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
• D. Sahyadri hills and Himalayan hills

Hint:

The Conolly Teak Plantation of Malabar (Nilambur, 1842) is the oldest managed teak plantation in the world, while the Nilgiris are famous for the early introduction of fast-growing Australian exotics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
During colonial rule in India, the British administration initiated large-scale monoculture forest plantations to meet their demands for high-quality timber (for ships and railways) and fuelwood.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- The earliest and most famous systematic teak (Tectona grandis) plantations in India were raised in the Malabar hills (specifically at Nilambur, Kerala) by H.V. Conolly in the 1840s to supply timber for naval shipyards and railway construction.
- In contrast, exotic species like Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) and Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) were introduced on a large scale to the high-altitude grasslands of the Nilgiri hills (around Ootacamund/Ooty) in the mid-19th century to meet the urgent local demand for fuelwood and charcoal.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Teak plantations were raised in the Malabar hills, while acacia and eucalyptus were introduced in the Nilgiri hills.