Correct Option
The correct option is Cinchona.
Explanation
The Southern Mountain Forests in India are primarily found in three distinct regions of Peninsular India: the Western Ghats, the Vindhyas, and the Nilgiris. Due to their proximity to the tropics and elevation (generally around 1,500 meters above sea level), the vegetation is temperate in the higher regions and subtropical in the lower regions. In the Nilgiris, Anaimalai, and Palani hills, the temperate forests are locally known as Sholas.
Option Analysis
- Cinchona: Cinchona - Correct. Cinchona is a species of significant economic importance found in the Southern Mountain Forests, particularly in the Nilgiris. Along with Magnolia, Laurel, and Wattle, it is a characteristic tree of this region. Cinchona bark is the source of quinine, used to treat malaria.
- Khejri: Khejri - Incorrect. Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is a key species of the Tropical Thorn Forests. It is predominantly found in semi-arid and arid regions of northwestern India, such as Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Deodar: Deodar - Incorrect. Deodar (Cedrus deodara) is a highly valued timber species found in the Himalayan Temperate Forests. It is endemic to the western Himalayas and is not found in the Southern Mountain Forests.
- Hollock: Hollock - Incorrect. Hollock is a species associated with Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests, typically found in the Brahmaputra valley and the Eastern Himalayas, not in the high-altitude forests of Peninsular India.
Key Takeaway: The Southern Mountain Forests (Sholas) are characterized by species such as Magnolia, Laurel, Cinchona, and Wattle, distinguishing them from the coniferous species of the Himalayas and the xerophytic vegetation of arid regions.