Natural Vegetation & Wildlife – Topper Notes

Natural Vegetation & Wildlife

1. Introduction

Bio-diversity: India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries.
Flora: 47,000 plant species (10th in world, 4th in Asia).
Fauna: Approx 90,000 animal species.
Natural Vegetation: Plant community grown naturally without human aid (Virgin Vegetation).
Endemic: Purely Indian species. Exotic: From outside.

2. Types of Vegetation (वनस्पति के प्रकार)

A. Tropical Evergreen Forests

Rainfall: >200 cm. (Heavy rainfall areas).
Areas: Western Ghats, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Assam, Tamil Nadu coast.
Trees: Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona.
Trees reach great heights (60m+). No definite time for shedding leaves (Always Green).
Animals: Elephant, Monkey, Lemur, One-horned Rhinoceros (Assam).

B. Tropical Deciduous Forests (Monsoon Forests)

Most widespread in India. Rainfall: 70cm – 200cm.
Shed leaves for 6-8 weeks in dry summer.
Moist Deciduous (100-200cm): Teak, Bamboo, Sal, Shisham. (Eastern India, W. Ghats slopes).
Dry Deciduous (70-100cm): Teak, Sal, Peepal, Neem. (Peninsular plateau, Bihar, UP).
Animals: Lion, Tiger, Pig, Deer, Elephant.

Fig: Evergreen Forest Layers

Did you know?
Mangrove Forests (Tidal Forests) have roots submerged under water.
Found in deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna.
Example: Sundari Trees (Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta).

Other Vegetation (अन्य वनस्पति)

C. Thorn Forests and Scrubs

Rainfall: < 70 cm (Semi-arid areas).
Areas: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Haryana.
Plants: Acacias, Palms, Euphorbias, Cacti.
Features: Long roots (seek moisture), Succulent stems, Small thick leaves (minimize evaporation).
Animals: Camels, Wild Ass, Fox, Wolf.

D. Montane Forests

Vegetation changes with altitude (Temp decrease).
1000-2000m: Wet Temperate (Oaks, Chestnuts).
1500-3000m: Temperate (Pine, Deodar, Silver Fir). Southern slopes of Himalayas.
>3600m: Alpine Vegetation (Silver Fir, Junipers, Birches) → Mosses/Lichens (Tundra).
Animals: Kashmir Stag, Spotted Deer, Yak, Snow Leopard.
Used for grazing by Gujjars & Bakarwals.

3. Medicinal Plants (India’s Herbs)

Sarpagandha: Blood pressure (Only in India).
Jamun: Digestive properties, controls diabetes.
Arjun: Earache, blood pressure.
Babool: Eye sores, gum tonic.
Neem: Antibiotic, antibacterial.
Tulsi: Cough and cold.
Kachnar: Asthma, ulcers.

Alpine Vegetation:
At high altitudes, trees get stunted. They merge into Alpine grasslands used for grazing.
Finally → Mosses/Lichens (Tundra).

Endangered Species:
About 1,300 plant species are endangered and 20 species are extinct in India.

Wildlife & Conservation (वन्य जीवन और संरक्षण)

4. Wildlife (Fauna)

India has approx 90,000 animal species.
Birds: 2,000 species (13% of world).
Fish: 2,546 species (12% of world).
Key Habitats:
- Elephants: Hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka, Kerala.
- One-horned Rhino: Swampy lands of Assam, West Bengal.
- Wild Ass & Camels: Rann of Kachchh, Thar Desert.
- Indian Lion: Gir Forest (Gujarat) – Only home of Asiatic Lion.
- Tigers: MP, Sundarbans (WB), Himalayas.
- Ladakh (Cold): Yak, Tibetan Antelope, Blue Sheep.

5. Conservation

Threats: Hunting, Pollution, Deforestation, Alien species.

Government Steps:

Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
Biosphere Reserves: 18 set up. (12 in World Network e.g., Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Gulf of Mannar, Nilgiri).
Projects: Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard.
National Parks: 106 Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Migratory Birds:
During winter, birds like Siberian Crane visit India (e.g., Rann of Kachchh).
Flamingos build nest mounds from salty mud.

Save the Tiger

“Our Heritage: Flora & Fauna” 🌿🐯