India : Natural Vegetation,
Wildlife and Conservation
Query Corner
1. Choose the correct answer from the choices given below.
a. One-horned rhinos are found in
i. Madhya Pradesh. [ ]
ii. Kerala. [ ]
iii. Assam. [✓]
b. The endangered animals in India are
i. Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, bear. [ ]
ii. Black Buck, Asiatic Lion, Indian Bustard. [✓]
iii. Crocodiles, elephants, monkeys. [ ]
c. At an altitude of 3,000 m, we find
i. Mangrove Vegetation. [ ]
ii. Coniferous Vegetation. [✓]
iii. Alpine meadows. [ ]
2. Match the following.
=
|
a. Ranganathittu |
i. Royal Bengal Tiger. [d] |
|
b. Keoladeo |
ii. Biosphere Reserve. [c] |
|
c. Nokrek |
iii. Bird Sanctuary. [a] |
|
d. Corbett National Park |
iv. Bharatpur. [b] |
|
e. Oak, chestnut |
v. Tropical rainforest. [f] |
|
f. Rosewood, mahogany |
vi. Mountain Vegetation. [e] |
3. Distinguish between the following.
a. Tropical rainforest and montane vegetation.
=
|
Tropical Rainforest |
Montane Vegetation |
|---|---|
|
i. Tropical rainforests are found in regions that receive high annual
rainfall of over 200 cm. |
i. Montane forests are found in high mountainous region such as the
Himalayas. |
|
ii. These forests are also known as evergreen forests because the
trees retain their leaves throughout the year. |
ii. In the foothill region, there are tropical deciduous forests which
shed their leaves in a particular season of the year. |
|
iii. Rosewood, mahogany, ebony and large number of hardwood trees are
commonly found in the tropical rainforest. |
iii. The common trees found in the montane region are pines, cedars,
silver firs, and deodars. |
b. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
=
|
National Parks |
Wildlife Sanctuaries |
|---|---|
|
i. National parks are formed to conserve and protect wildlife in
India. |
i. Wildlife sanctuaries are specially designated areas for the
conservation of endangered species. |
|
ii. These large areas of protected land provide natural habitat for
animals. |
ii. Sanctuaries take care of the injured and diseased animals and
help in the breeding of endangered animals species as well. |
|
iii. There is no human interference. |
iii. In sanctuaries, grazing and firewood collection are possible
only in the margins. |
|
iv. Example :- Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai, Kaziranga
National Park in Assam, etc. |
iv. Example :- Sariska in Rajasthan for tigers, Bnadipur in Karnataka
for elephants, etc. |
c. Evergreen and deciduous forest.
=
|
Evergreen Forest |
Deciduous Forest |
|---|---|
|
i. Evergreen forests are found in the tropical regions where the
annual rainfall is of over 200 cm. |
i. Deciduous forests are found in the tropical regions where the
annual rainfall is 80-200 cm. |
|
ii. The trees retain their leaves throughout the year. |
ii. The trees shed their leaves in the dry season, and fresh leaves
grow in the beginning of the rainy season. |
|
iii. Rosewood, mahogany, ebony and a large number of hardwood trees
are commonly found in the this type of forests. |
iii. Teak, sal and sandalwood are economically useful trees found in
these forests. |
|
iv. This type of forests are found in the Western Ghats and the west
coast, parts of West Bengal, Assam, the North-East and the Andaman and
Nicobar islands. |
iv. These forests are found in the foothill zones of the Himalayas,
from Jammu to West Bengal, and in most parts of the Peninsular Plateau and
the Ganga Plains. |
d. Mangrove vegetation and thorn forest.
=
|
Mangrove Vegetation |
Thorn Forest |
|---|---|
|
i. Mangrove forests are found in the coastal region that are subject
to tidal changes in sea level. |
i. Thorn forests are found in the regions of low rainfall. |
|
ii. They have pneumatophore to breathe from the air. |
ii. They have their leaves turned into thorns to stop transpiration. |
|
iii. These are mostly common in the Sundarbans area of West Bengal. |
iii. These forests occur in the arid areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Punjab, and Haryana. |
|
iv. Sundari trees are common in this area. |
iv. They have short, stunted trees such as acacia, thorny bushes, and
scrub. |
4. Answer the following questions in brief.
a. State the different vegetation belts of India.
= Five major vegetation belts of India may be recognised on the basis of the varieties of trees found in each of them. They are :
i. Tropical rainforests.
ii. Tropical deciduous forests.
iii. Thorn forests.
iv. Tidal forests.
v. Mountain vegetation.
b. Mention a few characteristics of tropical rainforests.
= A few characteristics of tropical rainforests are -
i. Tropical rainforests are found in regions that receive high annual rainfall of over 200 cm.
ii. These forests are also known as evergreen forests because the trees retain their leaves throughout the year.
c. How has the vegetation found in areas of low rainfall adapted itself?
= The vegetation found in areas of low rainfall have short, stunted trees such as acacia, thorny bushes, and scrub. The plants have deep roots and thick, thorny or waxy leaves. These plants are adapted to the dry conditions.
d. Where are the coniferous trees and alpine meadows found? Give examples.
= The coniferous trees and alpine meadows are found in the Montane Forests of the Himalayas. coniferous forests are found between an altitude of 1,500 m and 3,300 m. Above 3,300 m, alpine meadows occur.
e. Do you think that rainfall plays an important role in determining the vegetation of a place? Give example.
= Yes, I think that rainfall plays an important role in determining the vegetation of a place. In regions that receive high annual rainfall of over 200 cm, Tropical Evergreen Forests are found. On the other hand, in the regions that receive an annual rainfall of 80-200 cm, Tropical Deciduous Forests are found.
f. What is meant by endangered species? Name a few endangered species of India.
= Endangered species are the animals which are facing extinction. A few endangered species of India are - the Indian rhino, tiger, lion, musk deer, black buck, crocodile, and the great Indian bustard.
5. Answer the following questions in detail.
a. Explain with the help of suitable examples how vegetation is influenced by climate.
= In India, various vegetation belts can be observed. The type of vegetation found in a region is related to its relief features and climatic conditions. Five major vegetation belts may be recognised on the basis of the varieties of trees found in each of them.
❐ Tropical Rainforests :- They are found in the regions that receive high annual rainfall over 200 cm. Owing to high rainfall, conditions are favourable for the growth of trees in all seasons. The trees retain their leaves throughout the year as because of excessive water.
❐ Tropical Deciduous Forests :- They are found in the regions that receive an annual rainfall of 80-200 cm. They face a long dry season. So the trees shed their leaves in the dry season, and fresh leaves grow in the beginning of rainy season.
❐ Thorn Forests :- Thorn forests occur in regions of low rainfall. The vegetation found in areas of low rainfall have short, stunted trees such as acacia, thorny bushes, and scrub. The plants have deep roots and thick, thorny or waxy leaves. These plants are adapted to the dry conditions.
❐ Tidal or Mangrove Forests :- In the coastal regions that are subject to tidal changes in sea level, mangrove forests are found. These are mostly common in the Sundarbans area of West Bengal.
❐ Montane Forests :- These forests are found in the high altitude of the Himalayas. They have coniferous shape due to the frosty climate of the region.
b. How can forests be conserved? Discuss.
= Forests in India are getting depleted at a rapid rate due to urbanisation, industrialisation, and requirement for more agricultural land. Hence, several measures have been adopted to increase the land area under forest.
❐ The forest community has been involved in protecting the forest, and in return benefits from a sustainable forest-based economy.
❐ Several afforestation programmes have been implemented to restore greenery. The National Forest Policy of 1952 and 1988 govern the management and development of forest resources.
❐ Methods of social forestry and agro forestry have been implemented, whereby cropping and forestry are done together in the same area. It not only helps in supplementing income but also in maintaining a balanced environment.
❐ Maintaining sacred grooves is another method of forest conservation in which trees are ascribed divinity, thereby, preventing unnecessary logging. Forests are worshipped in order to help maintain biodiversity.
❐ Some communities, such as the Bishnois of Rajasthan, have sacrificed their lives to save trees. The Chipko Movement was another effort in Garhwal to prevent deforestation in the region. Every year, Van Mahotsav is celebrated with a tree plantation drive to promote afforestation in many of India.
c. Describe the tropical deciduous forests found in India.
= Tropical deciduous forests are found in the regions that receive an annual rainfall of 80-200 cm. They face a long dry season. Trees shed their leaves in the dry season, and fresh leaves grow in the beginning of the rainy season. These forests are also called monsoon forests. Teak, sal and sandalwood are economically useful trees found in these forests. Bamboos grow as clumps between trees. There are less numbers of plant species in these forests than in the tropical rainforests. The tropical deciduous forests are found in the foothill zone of the Himalayas, from Jammu to West Bengal, and in most parts of the Peninsular Plateau and the Ganga Plains. Most of these forest areas have been cleared for cultivation except in hilly and mountainous areas.
d. Describe the measures taken to conserve the wildlife of India?
= The following are the measures taken to conserve the wildlife of India -
❐ A wide network of over 450 wildlife sanctuaries, 103 national parks, 50 project tiger areas, and 18 biosphere reserves are dedicated to the conservation of wildlife.
❐ The Project Tiger, started in 1973, works towards the conservation of the Royal Bengal tiger. Though, in the beginning, the tiger population increased, it has dwindled since 1993.
❐ The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 lays a great emphasis on wildlife preservation.
6. Thought provoking questions.
a. How do forests play an important role in maintaining the environment? Explain in your own words.
= Forests play an important role in maintaining the environment as they conserve natural resources; prevent soil erosion; preserve air quality; check desertification and coastal erosion; and support forest-based livelihood.
b. How did people conserve forests in the past? Search on the Internet or refer to some books to find out.
= In the past, people worshipped forests in order to stop deforestation and help maintaining biodiversity.
c. Why are some animals getting endangered? Write in your own words.
= I think, some animals getting endangered because of the illegal hunting, deforestation and the environmental pollution. They are losing their habitat, they are in scarcity of food and they can not live in the polluted environment.