NATURAL VEGETATION OF INDIA

NATURAL VEGETATION OF INDIA

WHAT IS NATURAL VEGETATION?

• It is the equipped with nature.
• They grow naturally according to changes.
• It depends on precipitation, soil, climate, and topography.
• India has a wide range of flora and fauna.

• Extensive range of natural vegetation grows throughout India.
• The amount of annual rainfall affects the type of vegetation.
• Temperature has effect on the Himalayas and other hilly regions.

HOW IS NATURAL VEGETATION CLASSIFIED IN INDIA?

Indian vegetation is of 5 main types:

1. Tropical Evergreen Forests
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests
3. The Thorn Forests and Scrubs
4. Montane Forests
5. Mangrove Forests

WHAT ARE TROPICAL EVERGREEN FORESTS?

• These areas receive more than 200 cm of rainfall.
• Temperature of 15-30 degrees C.
• They occupy about 7% of land surface.

• They are found mostly near the equator.
• Trees reach a height of 60 m or above like rosewood, mahogany.
• It has trees, shrubs, and creepers with multilayered structure.

• Found in the Western Ghats States, hills of Jaintia and Khasi.
• Common animals are elephants, monkey, deer, one horned rhinoceros.

WHAT ARE TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS?

• They are the most widespread forests of India.
• Also called the monsoon forests.
• In the region receive rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm.
• Trees of this forest shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in dry summer.
• These forests are further divided into Moist and Dry Deciduous.
• Found in the northeastern states, Himalayas states, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Western Ghats etc.
• Teak is the most dominant species along with bamboos, sal, shisham, sandalwood, etc.

WHAT ARE THORN FORESTS AND SCRUBS?

• Found in the regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall.
• It consists of thorny trees and bushes.
• Found in the north­western part, semi­arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,etc.
• Acacias, palms, euphorbias and cacti are main species.
• Trees are scattered and have long roots penetrated.
• Leaves are mostly thick and small.

WHAT ARE MONTANE FORESTS?

• In mountainous areas, there is change in natural vegetation with temperature.
• Found between a height of 1000 and 2000 m.
• Evergreen broad­leaf trees such as oaks and chestnuts are found.
• Temperate forests contain coniferous trees like pine, deodar, silver fir etc.
• Temperate grasslands are common at heights.
• Grasslands are used for grazing by tribes like the Gujjars and the Bakarwals.
• Animals found are Kashmir stag, spotted dear, wild sheep, yak, snow leopard with thick hairs.

WHAT ARE MANGROVE FORESTS?

• Found in the of coastal areas influenced by tides.
• Mud and silt get accumulated on such coasts.
• These have plants with roots submerged under water.
• Found in deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Krishana etc.
• Sundari trees are found, which provide hard timber.
• Palm, coconut, keora, agar are also grown.
• Royal Bengal Tiger is the famous animal.
• Turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes are also found.