The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The physiography of Peninsular India is defined by the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. While the Western Ghats form a continuous wall along the western coast, the Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous chain of broken hills along the eastern coast, eroded by major rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.Analysis of Hill Ranges:
- 1. Shevroy Hills: Correct. The Shevroy Hills are located in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. They are part of the disconnected southern ranges of the Eastern Ghats. Geographically, they are situated in the southeastern part of the peninsula, distinct from the main continuous stretch of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- 2. Javadi Hills: Correct. The Javadi Hills are located in the Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts of Tamil Nadu. These hills are also part of the broken chain of the Eastern Ghats and are located to the north of the Shevroy Hills, fitting the southeastern geographical profile relative to the main plateau.
- 3. Cardamom Hills: Incorrect. The Cardamom Hills are part of the Southern Western Ghats, located near the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are situated in the southwestern part of the peninsula, far removed from the Eastern Ghats system.
- 4. Anaimalai Hills: Incorrect. The Anaimalai Hills are a major range of the Western Ghats located south of the Palghat Gap. They are positioned in the western part of the peninsula and are not located to the southeast of the Eastern Ghats.
Key Takeaway: The Javadi and Shevroy hills are outliers of the Eastern Ghats located in Tamil Nadu, whereas the Anaimalai and Cardamom hills are integral parts of the Southern Western Ghats.