Forest areas have been labelled as 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the map: Among these, those which were threatened in 1997 by a serious epidemic include:

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YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: sal forests of 3. In 1997, the sal forests of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, experienced a severe outbreak of the sal bor- er beetle (Hoplocerambyx spinicornis). This insect infestation posed a significant threat to the health and survival of the sal trees, which are a dominant species in the region’s forests. The epidemic rapidly spread across vast tracts of sal forests, caus- ing widespread damage and mortality among the trees. The sal borer beetle’s larvae burrow into the bark and heartwood of sal trees, disrupting the flow of nutrients and water within the tree. This infestation weakens the trees, making them susceptible to other diseases and ultimately leading to their death. The 1997 epidemic resulted in the loss of a substantial portion of the sal forest cover in Madhya Pradesh, with significant ecological and economic consequences. 402

Forest areas have been labelled as 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the map: Among these, those which were threatened in 1997 by a serious epidemic include:

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