Notes on Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Class 9 SST

1. Introduction

India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries in the world.
It has about 47,000 plant species (10th place globally, 4th in Asia).
Around 15,000 flowering plants (6% of the world’s total).
90,000 animal species, including a rich variety of fish.
Flora refers to plant species, while Fauna refers to animal species.

2. Types of Vegetation in India

Tropical Evergreen Forests
- Found in Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, and Tamil Nadu coast.
- Receive more than 200 cm rainfall; no definite leaf-shedding period.
- Trees grow up to 60 meters high.
- Major trees: Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona.
- Wildlife: Elephants, Monkeys, Lemurs, One-horned Rhinoceros, Sloths, Bats, Scorpions.
Tropical Deciduous Forests(Monsoon Forests)
- Most widespread in India, rainfall 200-70 cm.
- Trees shed leaves for 6-8 weeks in summer.
- Two types:
  - Moist Deciduous (Rainfall 200-100 cm) – Found in northeast India, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha.
  - Dry Deciduous (Rainfall 100-70 cm) – Found in Bihar, UP, and central India.
- Major trees: Teak, Sal, Shisham, Sandalwood, Neem, Peepal.
- Wildlife: Lions, Tigers, Deer, Elephants, Birds, Snakes, Tortoises.
Thorn Forests and Scrubs
- Found in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, UP, Haryana.
- Rainfall less than 70 cm.
- Vegetation: Acacia, Palm, Cactus, Euphorbia.
- Wildlife: Rats, Mice, Rabbits, Foxes, Wolves, Tigers, Lions, Camels, Wild Ass.
Montane Forests(Mountain Forests)
- Found in Himalayas and high-altitude areas of Northeast & South India.
- Zones based on altitude:
  - 1,000 – 2,000 m: Evergreen Oak, Chestnut.
  - 1,500 – 3,000 m: Pine, Deodar, Silver Fir, Cedar.
  - Above 3,600 m: Alpine vegetation (Junipers, Birch, Moss, Lichens).
- Wildlife: Kashmir Stag, Yak, Snow Leopard, Tibetan Antelope, Red Panda.
Mangrove Forests(Tidal Forests)
- Found in coastal areas influenced by tides (Deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri).
- Major trees: Sundari (Sundarbans), Palm, Coconut, Keora.
- Wildlife: Royal Bengal Tiger, Turtles, Crocodiles, Snakes, Gharials.

3. Wildlife of India

India has 90,000+ animal species, 2,000+ bird species, and 2,546+ fish species.
Major Animals & Their Habitats:
- Elephants → Assam, Karnataka, Kerala.
- One-horned Rhinoceros → Assam, West Bengal (Marshy lands).
- Wild Ass & Camels → Rann of Kachchh & Thar Desert.
- Indian Lion → Gir Forest (Gujarat).
- Tigers → Madhya Pradesh, Sundarbans (West Bengal), Himalayan region.
- Snow Leopard, Yak, Red Panda → Himalayas & Ladakh.
- Birds: Peacock, Pheasant, Parakeet, Flamingo (Rann of Kachchh), Siberian Crane (Migratory).

4. Medicinal Plants

Sarpagandha → Blood pressure treatment.
Jamun → Diabetes control.
Arjun → Blood pressure regulation.
Babool → Eye sore cure.
Neem → Antibiotic properties.
Tulsi → Cough and cold relief.
Kachnar → Asthma and ulcer treatment.

5. Conservation Efforts

Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
18 Biosphere Reserves (Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nilgiri, Pachmarhi, etc.).
106 National Parks & 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Eco-development Projects: Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard.
Botanical Gardens support (since 1992).

Conclusion

Biodiversity conservation is essential to maintain ecological balance.
Human activities like hunting, deforestation, industrial pollution are major threats.
Sustainable development and awareness can help protect India’s natural vegetation and wildlife.

One-Liner Question-Answers

What is natural vegetation?
→ Plants that grow naturally without human intervention.
What is virgin vegetation?
→ Uncultivated vegetation that remains undisturbed by humans.
What is flora?
→ The plant species of a particular region.
What is fauna?
→ The animal species of a particular region.
How many plant species are found in India?
→ About 47,000 plant species.
How many flowering plants are there in India?
→ Around 15,000 species.
How many animal species are found in India?
→ Around 90,000 species.
Which type of forest is called monsoon forest?
→ Tropical Deciduous Forests.
Which forest type remains green throughout the year?
→ Tropical Evergreen Forests.
Which forests are found in areas with rainfall above 200 cm?
→ Tropical Evergreen Forests.
Which trees are commonly found in tropical evergreen forests?
→ Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona.
Where are tropical evergreen forests found in India?
→ Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Tamil Nadu coast.
Which forests shed leaves in dry summer?
→ Tropical Deciduous Forests.
Which forests are most widespread in India?
→ Tropical Deciduous Forests.
Which tree is dominant in tropical deciduous forests?
→ Teak.
Which forests are found in areas with rainfall between 70-100 cm?
→ Dry Deciduous Forests.
Where are thorn forests and scrubs found in India?
→ Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh.
Which trees are common in thorn forests?
→ Acacia, Palm, Cactus, Euphorbia.
Where are montane forests found?
→ Himalayas, Northeast, and high-altitude regions.
Which trees are found in temperate forests between 1500-3000m altitude?
→ Pine, Deodar, Silver Fir, Spruce, Cedar.
Where are mangrove forests found in India?
→ Deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri.
Which tree is commonly found in Sundarbans mangrove forests?
→ Sundari tree.
Which animal is famous in the Sundarbans?
→ Royal Bengal Tiger.
Where are one-horned rhinoceroses found in India?
→ Assam and West Bengal.
Where is the Indian lion found?
→ Gir Forest, Gujarat.
Which states have a significant elephant population?
→ Assam, Karnataka, Kerala.
Which animal is found in the Rann of Kachchh?
→ Wild Ass.
Which is the national bird of India?
→ Peacock.
Which migratory bird visits the Rann of Kachchh in winter?
→ Flamingo.
Which migratory bird comes to India from Siberia?
→ Siberian Crane.
Which project was launched to protect tigers in India?
→ Project Tiger.
When was the Wildlife Protection Act passed in India?
→ 1972.
How many biosphere reserves are there in India?
→ 18 biosphere reserves.
Which biosphere reserves of India are included in the world network?
→ Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nilgiri, Pachmarhi, etc. (12 total).
Which medicinal plant is used for treating high blood pressure?
→ Sarpagandha.
Which medicinal plant helps in controlling diabetes?
→ Jamun.
Which medicinal plant is useful for treating earaches?
→ Arjun.
Which medicinal plant has antibiotic properties?
→ Neem.
Which forest type has the maximum biodiversity?
→ Tropical Evergreen Forests.
Which forest type is found at the highest altitude in India?
→ Alpine Forests.
What percentage of the world’s birds are found in India?
→ 13%.
How many national parks are there in India?
→ 106 National Parks.
How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in India?
→ 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Which animal is found in Ladakh’s cold desert region?
→ Yak.
Which is the only country having both tigers and lions?
→ India.
Which rare cat species is found in the Himalayas?
→ Snow Leopard.
Which is the largest herbivorous animal found in India?
→ Elephant.
Which river species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act?
→ Gharial (a type of crocodile).
Which region is home to the Shaggy horn wild ibex?
→ Himalayan region.
Which initiative was taken for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard?
→ Project Great Indian Bustard.