The correct option is 3 only, as Pulicat Lake straddles both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, thereby confirming its bilateral distribution across two states. Conversely, the first statement about the Himalayas is incorrect because they extend through multiple states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh, among others. The second statement regarding the Western Ghats is also misleading, as they span through six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The assessment of geographic features like lakes and mountain ranges is essential in UPSC exams, reflecting an understanding of India's physical geography and inter-state relations.