CLASS- VI

CH- 10 INDIA- NATURAL VEGETATION & WILDLIFE

(GEOGRAPHY)
NOTES

INTRODUCTION :- The variety of plant life in our surroundings is known as Natural

Vegetation. The land areas where dense tree & plant growth found are known as Forests.
Flora or plant cover is the first form of life & Fauna or animals & human beings followed it.
Natural Vegetation refers to a plant community, which has grown naturally without human
aid or influence. The animal life in these forests is known as Wildlife.
In our country, the original plant cover consisted of forests, grasslands & scrubs. These
factors are responsible for the growth of forest area :
 Forests grow well in areas where there is enough rainfall.
 Forests are normally conserved in areas not fit for cultivation.
 The distribution of natural vegetation is primarily determined by climate.
 Other factors are – Climate -- Seasons -- Relief
-- Weathering -- Winds -- Ocean Currents

The forests are unevenly distributed & can be classified as under:

 TROPICAL RAINFORESTS
 TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS
 DESERT VEGETATION
 MOUNTAIN (MONTANE) VEGETATION
 MANGROVE (TIDAL) FORESTS

CLASSIFICATION OF FOREST & THEIR FEATURES

FOREST AREA CLIMATE PLANTS ANIMALS

1. Tropical Kerala, 200 cm of Mahogany, Elephant,
Rainforest Karnataka, Hills rainfall, Ebony, Golden Langur,
of Khasi & temperature is Rosewood, Sal, Loin-tailed
Jaintia, W. 150 C to 30o C Teak, Bamboo Macaque,
Bengal & & Reed Spring mouse,
Andaman & Malabar Civet,
Nicobar Islands Giant Squirrel &
Bat
2. Tropical Western side of 75 cm to 200 Teak, Sal, Asiatic
Deciduous Forest the Deccan cm of rainfall, a Mahua, Elephant,
Plateau, Lower small range of Sandalwood, Sambar,
slopes of the temperature Khair, Mango, Cheetah, Tiger,
Himalayas, 15o C to 30o C Jackfruit, Leopard
from Jammu to Wattle,
W.Bengal Shisham,
Semul,
 Bamboo, Babul,
Banyan
3. Thorny (Desert Rajasthan, Rainfall less Babul, Kikar, Deer, Chinkara,
Vegetation)Bushes Gujarat, Punjab than 80 cm, Cactus, Khair, Black-Buck,
& Haryana temperature Acacia Leopard, Bat,
greater than Great Indian
20o C Bustard
4. Wetlands (Tidal Delta region of Temperature Sundari, Gewa, Royal Bengal
or Mangrove) Ganga, 180C to 34o C, Goran, Keora, Tiger,
Mahanadi, rainfall 80-cm Gol Patta, Macaque,
Godavari, 150 cm Dhundul, Spotted Foxes,
Kaveri, & Kankra & Palm Fishing Cat,
Krishna Boar,
Mangoose
5. Montane Southern slope Rainfall may Pine, Oak, Wild Ibex, Bear,
Vegetation of the vary from 250- Chestnut, Sal, Spotted Deer,
Himalayas 500 cm, Cedar, Silver Fir, Stag
temperature Deodar, Spruce
decreases with
increase in
altitude
CLASSIFICATION OF MONTANE VEGETATION

HEIGHT ( in m ) TREES REMARKS

1500 - 2000 OAK, PINE, CHESTNUT BROAD – LEAVED EVERGREEN
TREES
2000 – 3300 CEDAR, FIR, PINE, DEODAR CONE – BEARING OR
CONIFEROUS TREES
ABOVE 3600 SHRUBS, GRASSES & TUNDRA STUNTED PLANTS, TALL &
TYPE SHORT GRASS & NO
VEGETATION IS GENERALLY
FOUND

Distinction between Tropical Rainforests & Tropical Deciduous Forests

Tropical Rainforests Tropical Deciduous Forests

1. They are found in the equatorial 1. They are found in tropical region
region

2. Trees are also known as Evergreen or 2. Trees are also known as Monsoon
 semi evergreen forests forests

3. These areas experience a hot & 3. This region experience a distinct

humid climate with a short dry long dry season, when most of the trees
season shed their leaves for 6-8 weeks

4. The average rainfall is around 200 cm 4. The average rainfall is around 75-
200cm

5. Tress include mahogany, ebony, 5. Trees include ebony, sheesham,

ironwood, rosewood, rubber & khair, deodar, teak, sal, mahua, sandalwood
cinchona & bamboo

6. The commercial use of these 6. Vast areas covered by these forests

hardwood trees is difficult, as a large have been cleared to provide land for
number of tree species are found cultivation
together at one place

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS : 1) Forest product like rubber, varnish, timber & herbs are very
useful & they also provide us with fuel, fruits, etc.
2) The oxygen we breathe also comes from trees.
3) The forests of India are a storehouse of a large number of medicinal plants.
4) Many plant & animal species have mythological significance in India like Tulsi, Peepal,
and Cow etc.
5) Most of the cereals like rice, wheat, maize have come from their wild relatives in forests.
6) Natural vegetation acts as a natural barrier to reduce the wind velocity & prevent soil
from erosion.
7) The oldest form of fuel is wood, which is burnt to create heat & warmth for cooking.
8) Forests also perform certain other important functions such as regulating air currents,
moderating floods, preventing soil erosion, conserving soil moisture & increasing soil
fertility.

WILDLIFE : The Indian forests house a large variety of wildlife. More than 80,000 species of
animals are found in India. India has more than 1,200 species of birds & many types of
reptiles.
 The elephant is the most majestic & largest mammal in our country. it is found in
Assam, W.Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu
 The one-horned rhinoceros is an endangered species located in Assam & W.Bengal.
 India is the only country for the natural habitat of tigers & lions. Tigers found in the
forests of Madhya Pradesh, W.Bengal & Himalayan regions.

CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE :- The number of animal species have now drastically reduced
& some of them are endangered. Hence, immediate conservation measures need to be
taken to save & protect what is left. The work of preserving & protecting our environment is
termed as Conservation. The important conservation measures being taken are :
 Protecting areas like wetlands, birds & animals there are 665 protected areas
including 102 national parks, 515 wildlife sanctuaries, 47
conservation reserves & 84 community reserves have been established.

 Project tiger was launched in 1973 & 28 tiger reserves in 17 states have been
set up
 Project elephant & Project Rhino have been started. for the conservation of
forest & wildlife community movements like Chipko movement, Vana
Mahotsava have been started by the people
 Biosphere reserves are open systems for the preservations & protection of
plant & animal life. There are 18 biosphere reserves today in India today.
 A national park is a reserved area meant for preserving not only wildlife, but
also the natural vegetation & the natural beauty.
 A wildlife sanctuary is a reserved area meant for the preservation &
development of endangered species.
 We observe wildlife week in our country in the first week of October every
year. We must promote public awareness about wildlife conservation.

ASSIGNMENT

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS :

Q1) Name the states in which the following national parks/wildlife sanctuaries are located.
In addition, mark in the outline map of India.
a) Chilika b) Corbett c) Gir d) Kaziranga e) Bharatpur f) Sunderbans
Q2) Write the main points of difference between Tropical rainforests & Tropical deciduous
forests.
Q3) Name the major types of forests found in India & explain any one.
Q4) Mention the significance of trees in our daily life.
Q5) Give the reasons responsible for the growth of vegetation on earth.
Q6) Mention the different ways to conserve the wildlife.
Q7) State the difference between national park & wildlife sanctuary with examples.
Q8) How are forests in the Himalayas classified?
Q9) On a outline map of India mark the different types of natural vegetation. (DO COLOR
THE MAP)
Q10) Write a short note - i) Desert vegetation ii) Corbett National Park