Natural Vegetation and Wildlife — Study Notes

1. Introduction

India is one of the twelve mega biodiversity countries of the world. With about 47,000 plant species and 90,000 animal species, it is home to a rich variety of natural vegetation and wildlife. The great diversity of flora and fauna in India is due to the variety of climatic conditions, soils, and relief features found across the country. India has about 8 per cent of the world's recorded species of animals and 12 per cent of the world's recorded plant species.

The natural vegetation of a country refers to the plant life that grows without the help of human beings. Forests are the major part of natural vegetation. The type of natural vegetation in an area depends on factors such as climate, rainfall, soil, and altitude. This chapter describes the different types of natural vegetation found in India, the important wildlife species, and the need to conserve them.

2. Factors Affecting the Growth of Natural Vegetation

2.1 Relief Factors

The relief of a region, including its land, soil, and altitude, affects the growth of vegetation. Different soils support different types of vegetation, such as the deltas and valleys that support mangrove vegetation. Higher altitude areas support temperate and alpine vegetation, while the plains support tropical vegetation.

2.2 Climatic Factors

Climate is the most important factor affecting natural vegetation. Temperature and humidity affect the type of vegetation. For example, in areas with high temperature and high humidity, tropical rainforests are found, while in areas with low rainfall, thorny bushes grow. Rainfall determines the type of vegetation — areas with rainfall above 200 cm have tropical rainforests, areas with 100-200 cm have tropical deciduous forests, and areas with 50-100 cm have thorny bushes and shrubs.

3. Types of Natural Vegetation in India

3.1 Tropical Evergreen or Rainforests

Tropical evergreen forests are found in areas receiving more than 200 cm of rainfall and having high temperatures throughout the year. These forests are found in the western slopes of the Western Ghats, the northeastern states, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of the eastern coastal plains. They are dense, multi-layered forests where the trees are tall and have broad leaves. They never shed their leaves all at once, so they appear green throughout the year. Common trees include ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, and cinchona.

3.2 Tropical Deciduous or Monsoon Forests

Tropical deciduous forests are the most widespread forests of India, covering about 70 per cent of the total forest area. They are found in areas receiving rainfall between 100 cm and 200 cm. These forests are also called monsoon forests because they shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water. They are divided into moist deciduous forests and dry deciduous forests. The moist deciduous forests are found in areas receiving more than 150 cm of rainfall, while the dry deciduous forests are found in areas receiving 100-150 cm of rainfall. Important trees include teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood.

3.3 The Thorn Forests and Scrubs

Thorn forests are found in areas with very low rainfall (less than 50 cm). They are found in the semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. The trees in these forests are scattered, with long roots and thick leaves and stems to survive drought. Common trees include kikar, babool, khair, and neem. Cacti and other succulents are also found here.

3.4 Montane Forests

Montane forests are found in mountainous areas. In the lower areas of the mountains, tropical and subtropical forests are found, and as the altitude increases, temperate forests of oak, chestnut, and conifers are found. Above the temperate forests, the alpine vegetation, including silver fir, junipers, pines, and birches, is found. The forests at higher altitudes are used for grazing during summer.

3.5 Mangrove Forests

Mangrove forests are found in the delta areas of rivers and on the sea coasts, where the tidal influence is strong. The mangrove vegetation is able to survive in both fresh and salt water. The most important mangrove forest of India is the Sunderban, which is the largest in the world, found in the delta of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. The royal Bengal tiger is the most famous animal of the Sunderban.

4. Wildlife in India

4.1 Variety of Wildlife

India is rich in wildlife, with a large number of species of animals, birds, and reptiles. The wild animals of India include the royal Bengal tiger, the elephant, the one-horned rhinoceros, the wild ass, the lion, the leopard, the gharial, the deer, and the monkey. The elephant is found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka, and Kerala. The lion is found in the Gir forest of Gujarat. The one-horned rhinoceros is found in the marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal.

4.2 Wildlife in Different Regions

The wildlife of India varies with the vegetation. The lion-tailed macaque is found in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats. The wild ass is found in the Rann of Kutch. The great Indian bustard is found in the deserts of Rajasthan. The mountain goat and the snow leopard are found in the high mountains of the Himalayas. The crocodiles and the gharials are found in the rivers and estuaries.

4.3 Bird Life

India has about 1,200 species of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The most common birds include the parrot, the pigeon, the mynah, the peacock (the national bird), the crane, and the flamingo. Many migratory birds visit India during the winter, coming from places as far as Siberia and Europe.

5. Conservation of Forests and Wildlife in India

5.1 Why Conservation is Necessary

Forests and wildlife are important for maintaining the ecological balance of the country. They are renewable resources, but if they are not managed properly, they can be destroyed. Indiscriminate felling of trees, hunting, and the destruction of habitats are the main threats to forests and wildlife. Conservation of forests and wildlife is essential for the survival of human beings as well.

5.2 Conservation Measures

The Government of India has taken many steps to conserve forests and wildlife. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, and the Forest (Conservation) Act was passed in 1980. Several wildlife protection projects have been started, including Project Tiger (1973), Project Elephant (1992), and the Crocodile Breeding Project. Many national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves have been set up. The Asiatic Lion has been protected in the Gir forest, and the one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quick Revision Tables

Table 1: Types of Natural Vegetation and Their Features

Table 2: Wildlife Species and Their Habitats

Table 3: Conservation Measures

Mind Map

Important Diagrams (SVG)

Diagram 1: Distribution of Natural Vegetation by Rainfall

Diagram 2: Major Wildlife Habitats of India

Common Mistakes

1. Students often say tropical deciduous forests are found in areas above 200 cm of rainfall. They are found in areas receiving 100-200 cm of rainfall; evergreen forests are found above 200 cm.
2. Many think tropical evergreen forests shed their leaves in summer. They never shed their leaves all at once, so they appear green throughout the year.
3. A common error is to say the lion-tailed macaque is found in the Gir forest. It is found in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats; the Asiatic lion is found in Gir.
4. Students often confuse the one-horned rhinoceros habitat — it is found in the marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal (Kaziranga), not in the deserts of Rajasthan.
5. Some students say the Sunderban is the largest mangrove forest in India only. It is the largest in the world.
6. It is wrong to say the peacock is not the national bird. The peacock is the national bird of India.
7. Many students forget that Project Tiger was launched in 1973 and Project Elephant in 1992, and confuse the years of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) with the Forest Conservation Act (1980).
8. Students often say thorn forests are found in areas of high rainfall. They are found in semi-arid areas with less than 50 cm of rainfall.

Exam Tips

1. For types of vegetation, always mention the rainfall range and give two example trees for each type.
2. Mention that tropical deciduous forests cover about 70 per cent of India's forest area — a frequently asked fact.
3. For wildlife, match each animal with its habitat and the conservation project if any (Project Tiger, Project Elephant).
4. Distinguish between the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), Project Tiger (1973), and the Forest (Conservation) Act (1980) with their years.
5. Use the term 'mega biodiversity country' and India's statistics (47,000 plant species, 90,000 animal species) for the introduction.
6. For conservation questions, list the threats (deforestation, hunting, habitat destruction) and the measures (acts, projects, national parks, biosphere reserves).
7. Practise marking national parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Kaziranga, Gir, and the Sunderban on a map.

Conclusion

India's natural vegetation and wildlife are among the richest in the world, making it one of the twelve mega biodiversity countries. From the dense tropical evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the scattered thorn forests of the desert, and from the royal Bengal tiger of the Sunderban to the Asiatic lion of Gir, India's flora and fauna are truly diverse. This diversity is determined by relief and climatic factors, especially rainfall. However, this natural heritage is under threat from deforestation, hunting, and habitat destruction. The conservation measures taken by the government, including the Wildlife Protection Act, Project Tiger, and Project Elephant, have helped protect many species. It is the responsibility of every citizen to value and protect the natural vegetation and wildlife of India, for they are essential to the ecological balance and the survival of human beings.