Natural Vegetation and Wildlife in India (2015-16) - PDF

NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 5 H ave you observed the type of trees, RELIEF bushes, grasses and birds in the fields and parks in and around your...

NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 5 H ave you observed the type of trees, RELIEF bushes, grasses and birds in the fields and parks in and around your school? Land Are they similar or there are variations? India Land affects the natural vegetation directly being a vast country you can imagine the and indirectly. Do you expect the same type types of bio-forms available throughout the of vegetation in mountainous, plateau and country. plain areas or in dry and wet regions? The Our country India is one of the twelve nature of land influences the type of mega bio-diversity countries of the world. vegetation. The fertile level is generally devoted With about 47,000 plant species India to agriculture. The undulating and rough occupies tenth place in the world and fourth terrains are areas where grassland and in Asia in plant diversity. There are about woodlands develop and give shelter to a 15,000 flowering plants in India which variety of wild life. account for 6 per cent in the world’s total number of flowering plants. The country has Soil many non-flowering plants such as ferns, algae and fungi. India also has approximately The soils also vary over space. Different types 90,000 species of animals as well as a rich of soils provide basis for different types of variety of fish in its fresh and marine waters. vegetation. The sandy soils of the desert Natural vegetation refers to a plant support cactus and thorny bushes while wet, community which has grown naturally without marshy, deltaic soils support mangroves and human aid and has been left undisturbed by deltaic vegetation. The hill slopes with some humans for a long time. This is termed as a depth of soil have conical trees. virgin vegetation. Thus, cultivated crops and fruits, orchards form part of vegetation but not CLIMATE natural vegetation. Temperature The virgin vegetation, which are purely Indian are known as endemic or The character and extent of vegetation are indigenous species but those which have come mainly determined by temperature along with from outside India are termed as exotic plants. humidity in the air, precipitation and soil. On the slopes of the Himalayas and the hills of the The term flora is used to denote plants of Peninsula above the height of 915 metres, the a particular region or period. Similarly, the fall in the temperature affects the types of species of animals are referred to as fauna. This vegetation and its growth, and changes it from huge diversity in flora and fauna kingdom is tropical to subtropical temperate and alpine due to the following factors. vegetation. 2015-16  Table 5.1 : Temperatur e Characteristics of the Vegetation Zones Vegetation Zones Mean annual Mean Temp. Remarks Average Temp. in January (in degree C) (in degrees C) Tropical Above 24°C Above 18° No Frost Sub-tropical 17°C to 24°C 10°C to 18°C Frost is rare Temperate 7°C to 17° C -1°C to (-10 ) °C Frost some snow Alpine Below 7°C Below–1°C Snow Source : Environment Atlas of India, June 2001, Central Pollution Control Board Delhi Photoperiod (Sunlight ) development of industries and mining, urbanisation and over-grazing of pastures. The variation in duration of sunlight at different places is due to differences in latitude, altitude, Activity season and duration of the day. Due to longer Celebrate Van Mahotsav in your school/locality duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in and plant few spalings and notice their growth summer. Why are the southern slopes in Himalayan The vegetation cover of India in large parts region covered with thick vegetation cover as compared to northern slopes of the same hills? is no more natural in the real sense. Except in some inaccessible regions like the Himalayas, the hilly region of central India and the Precipitation marusthali, the vegetation of most of the areas has been modified at some places, or replaced In India almost the entire rainfall is brought in or degraded by human occupancy. by the advancing southwest monsoon (June to September) and retreating northeast monsoons. Activity Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation Study the bar graph (Figure 5.1) and as compared to other areas of less rainfall. answer the following questions. (i) Name the state having maximum area under Why have the western stopes of the forest cover. Western Ghats covered with thick forests and not (ii) Name the union territory having minimum the eastern slopes? area under forest cover and why? Have you ever thought as to why forests are important for human beings? Forests are renewable resources and play a major role in According to India State of Forest Report 2011, the forest cover in India is enhancing the quality of environment. They 21.05 per cent. modify local climate, control soil erosion, regulate stream flow, support a variety of E COSYSTEM industries, provide livelihood for many communities and offer panoramic or scenic Plants occur in distinct groups of communities view for recreation. It controls wind force and in areas having similar climatic conditions. The temperature and causes rainfall. It provides nature of the plants in an area, to a large extent, humus to the soil and shelter to the wild life. determines the animal life in that area. When India’s natural vegetation has undergone the vegetation is altered, the animal life also many changes due to several factors such as changes. All the plants and animals in an area the growing demand for cultivated land, are interdependent and interrelated to each other in their physical environment, thus, NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 43 2015-16  AREA IN PERCENT STATE/UT Source : India State of Forest Report 2013–14 Figure 5.1 Area under Forest Cover forming an ecosystem. Human beings are areas of the Western Ghats and the island also an integral part of the ecosystem. How groups of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, do the human beings influence the ecology upper parts of Assam and Tamil Nadu coast. of a region? They utilise the vegetation and wild life. The greed of human beings leads to over utilisation of these resources. They cut the trees and kill the animals creating ecological imbalance. As a result some of the plants and animals have reached the verge of extinction. Do you know that a very large ecosystem on land having distinct types of vegetation and animal life is called a biome. The biomes are identified on the basis of plants. TYPES OF VEGETATION The following major types of vegetation may be identified in our country (Figure 5.3). (i) Tropical Evergreen Forests (ii) Tropical Deciduous Forests (iii) Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs (iv) Montane Forests (v) Mangrove Forests Tropical Evergreen Forests These forests are restricted to heavy rainfall Figure 5.2 : Tropical Evergreen Forest 44 CONTEMPORARY INDIA 2015-16  Figure 5.3 : Natural Vegetation Study the given map for the forest cover and try to find the reasons as to why certain states have more area under forest as compared to others? NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 45 2015-16 They are at their best in areas having more than 200 cm of rainfall with a short dry season. The trees reach great heights up to 60 metres or even above. Since the region is warm and wet throughout the year, it has a luxuriant vegetation of all kinds – trees, shrubs, and creepers giving it a multilayered structure. There is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves. As such, these forests appear green all the year round. Some of the commercially important trees of this forest are ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber and cinchona. Figure 5.4 : Tropical Deciduous For est The common animals found in these forests are elephants, monkey, lemur and deer. The In these forests, the common animals found one horned rhinoceros are found in the jungles are lion, tiger, pig, deer and elephant. A huge of Assam and West Bengal. Besides these variety of birds, lizards, snakes, and tortoises animals plenty of birds, bats, sloth, scorpions are also found here. and snails are also found in these jungles. The Thorn Forests and Scrubs Tropical Deciduous Forests In regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall, These are the most widespread forests of India. the natural vegetation consists of thorny trees They are also called the monsoon forests and and bushes. This type of vegetation is found spread over the region receiving rainfall in the north-western part of the country between 200 cm and 70 cm. Trees of this including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, forest-type shed their leaves for about six to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, eight weeks in dry summer. Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Acacias, palms, On the basis of the availability of water, euphorbias and cacti are the main plant these forests are further divided into moist and species. Trees are scattered and have long roots dry deciduous. The former is found in areas penetrating deep into the soil in order to get receiving rainfall between 200 and 100 cm. moisture. The stems are succulent to conserve These forests exist, therefore, mostly in the water. Leaves are mostly thick and small to eastern part of the country – northeastern minimize evaporation. These forests give way states, along the foothills of the Himalayas, to thorn forests and scrubs in arid areas. Jharkhand, West Orissa and Chhattisgarh, and on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Teak is the most dominant species of this forest. Bamboos, sal, shisham, sandalwood, khair, kusum, arjun, mulberry are other commercially important species. The dry deciduous forests are found in areas having rainfall between 100 cm and 70 cm. These forests are found in the rainier parts of the peninsular plateau and the plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. There are open stretches in which Teak, Sal, Peepal, Neem grow. A large part of this region has been cleared for cultivation and some parts are used for grazing. Figure 5.5 : Thorn Forests and Scrubs 46 CONTEMPORARY INDIA 2015-16  In these forests, the common animals are grazing by nomadic tribes like the Gujjars rats, mice, rabbits, fox, wolf, tiger, lion, wild and the Bakarwals. At higher altitudes, ass, horses and camels. mosses and lichens form part of tundra vegetation. Montane Forests The common animals found in these forests are Kashmir stag, spotted dear, wild sheep, jack In mountainous areas, the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude leads to rabbit, Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard, the corresponding change in natural squirrels, Shaggy horn wild ibex, bear and rare red panda, sheep and goats with thick hair. vegetation. As such, there is a succession of natural vegetation belts in the same order as Mangrove Forests we see from the tropical to the tundra region. The wet temperate type of forests are found The mangrove tidal forests are found in the between a height of 1000 and 2000 metres. areas of coasts influenced by tides. Mud and Evergreen broad-leaf trees such as oaks and silt get accumutated on such coasts. Dense chestnuts predominate. Between 1500 and mangroves are the common varieties with roots 3000 metres, temperate forests containing coniferous trees like pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar, are found. These forests cover mostly the southern slopes of the Himalayas, places having high altitude in southern and north-east India. At higher elevations, temperate grasslands are common. At high altitudes, generally more than 3,600 metres above sea-level, temperate forests and grasslands give way to the Alpine vegetation. Silver fir, junipers, pines and birches are the common trees of these forests. However, they get progressively stunted as they approach the snow-line. Ultimately through shrubs and scrubs, they merge into the Alpine grasslands. These are used extensively for Figure 5.7 : Mangrove Forests of the plants submerged under water. The deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Krishana, the Godavari and the Kaveri are covered by such vegetation. In the Ganga- Brahamaputra delta, sundari trees are found, which provide durable hard timber. Palm, coconut, keora, agar, also grow in some parts of the delta. Royal Bengal Tiger is the famous animal in these forests. Turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes are also found in these forests. Let us discuss : What will happen if plants and animals disappear from the earth’s surface? can the human beings survive under such a situation? Why is bio-diversity necessary and why should it be conserved? Figure 5.6 : Montane Forests NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 47 2015-16  MEDICINAL PLANTS India is known for its herbs and spices from ancient times. Some 2,000 plants have been described in Ayurveda and atleast 500 are in regular use. The World Conservation Union’s Red list has named 352 medicinal plants of which 52 are critically threatened and 49 endangered. The commonly used plants in India are: Sarpagandha : Used to treat blood pressure; it is found only in India. Jamun : The juice from ripe fruit is used to prepare vinegar which is carminative and diuretic, and has digestive properties. The powder of the seed is used for controlling diabetes. Arjun : The fresh juice of leaves is a cure for earache. It is also used to regulate blood pressure. Babool : Leaves are used as a cure for eye sores. Its gum is used as a tonic. Neem : Has high antibiotic and antibacterial properties. Tulsi Plant : Is used to cure cough and cold. Kachnar : Is used to cure asthma and ulcers. The buds and roots are good for digestive problems. Identify more medicinal plants in your area. Which plants are used as medicines by local people to cure some diseases? Source : Medicinal Plants by Dr. S.K. Jain, 5th edition 1994, National Book Trust of India different species of deer are some other animals found in India. It also has several species of monkeys. Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972 in India. India is the only country in the world that has both tigers and lions. Activity The natural habitat of the Indian lion Can you identify the type of forest shown in this picture? is the Gir forest in Gujarat. Tigers are Identify some trees in it. What type of similarity/ found in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, dissimilarity you notice in this type of vegetation from the Sundarbans of West Bengal and the the one found in your region? Himalayan region. Leopards too are members of the cat family. They are WILD LIFE important among animals of prey. Like its flora, India is also rich in its fauna. It has approximately 90,000 animal species. The country has about 2,000 species of birds. Do you know They constitute 13% of the world’s total. There The Gir Forest is the are 2,546 species of fish, which account for last remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion. nearly 12% of the world’s stock. It also shares between 5 and 8 per cent of the world’s amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The Himalayas harbour a hardy range of The elephants are the most majestic animals, which survive in extreme cold. animals among the mammals. They are found Ladakh’s freezing high altitudes are a home to in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka and yak, the shaggy horned wild ox weighing Kerala. One-horned rhinoceroses are the other around one tonne, the Tibetan antelope, the animals, which live in swampy and marshy bharal (blue sheep), wild sheep, and the kiang lands of Assam and West Bengal. Arid areas (Tibetan wild ass). Furhtermore, the ibex, bear, of the Rann of Kachchh and the Thar Desert snow-leopard and very rare red panda are are the habitat for wild ass and camels found in certain pockets. respectively. Indian bison, nilgai (blue bull), In the rivers, lakes and coastal areas, chousingha (four horned antelope), gazel and turtles, crocodiles and gharials are found. The 48 CONTEMPORARY INDIA 2015-16  Dampara Figure 5.8 : Wildlife Reserves NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 49 2015-16 latter is the only representative of a variety of has been disturbed. About 1,300 plant crocodile, found in the world today. species are endangered and 20 species are Bird life in India is colourful. Peacocks, extinct. Quite a few animal species are also pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes and endangered and some have become extinct. pigeons are some of the birds inhabiting the The main causes for this major threat to forests and wetlands of the country. nature are hunting by greedy hunters for We have selected our crops from a bio- commercial purposes. Pollution due to diverse environment i.e. from the reserve of chemical and industrial waste, acid deposits, edible plants. We also experimented and introduction of alien species and reckless selected many medicinal plants. The animals cutting of the forests to bring land under were selected from large stock provided by cultivation and inhabitation, are also nature as milch animal. They also provided responsible for the imbalance. us draught power, transportation, meat, To protect the flora and fauna of the eggs. The fish provide nutritive food. Many country, the government has taken many steps. insects help in pollination of crops and fruit (i) Fourteen biosphere reserves have been set trees and exert biological control on such up in the country to protect flora and fauna. insects, which are harmful. Every species has Four out of these, the Sunderbans in the a role to play in the ecosystem. Hence, West Bengal, Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand, conservation is essential. As has been the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and the mentioned earlier due to excessive Nilgiris (Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil exploitation of the plants and animal Nadu) have been included in the world resources by human beings, the ecosystem network of Biosphese reserves. Activity (i) Find out from the above newspaper cuttings, the main concern highlighted in the given news items. (ii) Collect more information about various endangered species from newspapers and magazines. (iii) Find out various steps taken by the Indian government to protect them. (iv) Discribe how you can contribute to the protection of endangered animals and birds? 50 CONTEMPORARY INDIA 2015-16  Migratory Birds Some of the wetlands of India are popular with migratory birds. During winter, birds, such as Siberian Crane come in large numbers. One such place favourable with birds is the Rann of Kachchh. At a place where the desert merges with the sea, flamingo with their brilliant, pink plumage, come in thousands to build nest mounds from the salty mud and raise their young ones. It is one among many extraordinary sights in the country. Is it not a rich natural heritage of ours? Fourteen Bio-reserves (iii) Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco- Sunderbans Simlipal developmental projects have been Gulf of Mannar Dihang-Dibang introduced. The Nilgiris Dibru Saikhowa (iv) 89 National Parks, 490 Wildlife sanctuaries Nanda Devi Agasthyamalai and Zoological gardens are set up to take Nokrek Kanchenjunga care of Natural heritage. Great Nicobar Pachmari Manas Achanakmar-Amarkantak All of us must realise the importance of the natural ecosystem for our own survival. (ii) Financial and technical assistance is It is possible if indiscriminate destruction of provided to many Botanical Gardens by the natural environment is put to an immediate government since 1992. end. EXERCISE 1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below: (i) To which one of the following types of vegetation does rubber belong to? (a) Tundra (c) Himalayan (b) T idal (d) Tropical Evergreen (ii) Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than (a) 100 cm (c) 70 cm (b) 50 cm (d) less than 50 cm (iii) In which of the following state is the Simlipal bio-reserve located? (a) Punjab (b) Delhi (c) Odisha (d) West Bengal (iv) Which one of the following bio-reserves of India is not included in the world network of bioreserve? (a) Manas (c) Gulf of Mannar (b) Nilgiri (d) Nanda devi NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE 51 2015-16  2. Answer the following questions briefly. (i) Define an ecosystem. (ii) What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India? (iii) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples. (iv) Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of vegetation. 3. Distinguish between (i) Flora and Fauna (ii) Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests 4. Name dif ferent types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes. 5. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why? 6. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna? Map Skills On an outline map of India, label the following. (i) Areas of Evergreen Forests (ii) Areas of Dry Deciduous Forests (iii) Two national parks each in Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western parts of the Country Project/Activity (i) Find some trees in your neighbourhood having medicinal values. (ii) Find ten occupations getting raw material from forests and wild life. (iii) Write a poem or paragraph showing the importance of wild life. (iv) Write the script of a street play giving the importance of tree plantation and try to enact it in your locality. (v) Plant a tree either on your birthday or one of your family member’s birthday. Note the gr owth of the tree and notice in which season it grows faster. 52 CONTEMPORARY INDIA 2015-16