Presented By S.Thanusha Reddy

Natural Vegetation and Wild LifeNatural Vegetation and Animal

Wild Life depend on climate, relief & soil.

The diversity of India’s climate & relief have

made natural vegetation & Animal Wild Lifeinterdependent on each other &

the form of single ecosystem. This ecosystem

has evolved through thousands of years.

Indiscriminate meddling with this ecosystem

causes harmful effects. Natural

vegetation & Animal Wild Life are also called

flora&fauna respectively.

Natural Vegetation

Contents(part-1)• What is Natural

Vegetation?• Tropical Evergreen

Forests• Tropical Deciduous

Forests(Monsoon Forests)• Tropical Thorn and Shrub

Forests• Desert Vegetation• Mangrove Forests• Himalayan or Alpine

Vegetation• Importance of Forests• Conservation of forests

What Is Natural Vegetation?India has a wide variety of Natural

Vegetation ranging from Tropical Evergreen Forests

to Desert Vegetation. The Natural

Vegetation of India can be divided into six main type.

They are:-1. Tropical Evergreen Forests2. Tropical Deciduous Forests(Monsoon

Forests)3. Tropical Thorn and Shrub Forests4. Desert Vegetation5. Mangrove Forests6. Himalayan Vegetation

Tropical Evergreen ForestsThis type of vegetation is found in

areas where rainfall is above 250cms and temperature ranges

between 250oC and 270oC. Since the trees are always green they are

called Rain Forests. The heavy rainfall, high temperature

and humidity are responsible for the growth of these dense forests.

The trees grow about 60 meters high. The branches of trees form a

canopy and prevent the sun’s rays from reaching the ground. In

India, most of these forests are found on the western side of the

Western Ghats, in the North-Eastern hills and the Andaman and

Nicobar islands. The Semi Evergreen Forests are found in the

lower rainfall areas of the Western Ghats, Orissa and West

Bengal. Ebony, Mahogany, rose-wood and rubber are the Important

trees. Bamboo bushes are also found in this regions.

Tropical Deciduous Forests(Monsoon Forests)

These forests are also called Monsoon Forests. They

cover a greater part of India. They are found in regions

where the rainfall is between 75cms, and 250cms. These

forests are found on the eastern slopes of the Western

Ghats, Jammu, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Orissa,

Bihar and Jharkhand. In these forests, the trees are

fewer and shorter. Bamboos and Canes are also grown

here. The trees shed their leaves at the beginning of

Summer. The important trees of these forests are Teak,

Sal and Sandal-Wood. They have great commercial

value. The Deciduous Forests of Karnataka have

Sandal-Wood trees. Wherever these forests are cut

down or burnt, bushes and grass have taken their place.

Tropical Thorn and Shrub ForestsThese forests are found in the central parts of the Deccan Plateau, southern parts of the Maharashtra, Bellary of Karnataka, Cuddapha & Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh, where the annual rainfall is between 60 &75cms.These forests have short stemmed trees like Babul and Kasavi trees & Coarse grass. Palms & Kikar trees are also found here.

Desert VegetationThis type of vegetation is found in regions where the annual

rainfall is less than 50cms.

Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, the borders of Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat have this

typevegetation. The trees, which

grow here have deep roots, thick leaves

and thorns. Date Palms are

common near Oasis. Babul, Palms, Wild Dates

and Cactus are the important trees.

Babul tree yields gum and its bark

yields tanning material.

Mangrove ForestsThese forests are formed due to tides. They

are formed along the Deltas and estuaries of

rivers that are subjected to tides. Pendent

roots(like those of Banyan tree) are the

characteristics of Mangrove Forests. The Deltas of rivers

Ganges, Godavari, Mahanadi and Krishna have

these forests. In the Ganges delta, there are

plenty of Sundari trees and the forests are known as ‘SUNDERBANS’. These trees are used for making furniture and boats. These forests

also yield firewood and tanning material. Canes, Palms and “Kendale” trees are also found

here.

Himalayan or Alpine VegetationDifferent types of vegetation are found in

the Himalayan Mountains. The vegetation changes with

altitude & rainfall. The lower regions of the Himalayas have

Tropical Evergreen Forests up to 1,500mts. Teak, Sal & Rose-

Wood are the important trees. Temperate forests are

found between 1,500 to 3,650mts. They are also called Coniferous

Forests. The important trees of this vegetation are Silver

Fir, Oak, Spruce, Laurels, Chestnut etc. Grasslands are found

in altitude between 3,650 to 4,875mts. Rhododendron, Willow,

Juniper & Primrose trees are found here. Flowering

plants are found in Alpine Meadows. During Summer, at still

higher altitudeLichen &Moss are found. Above 6,000mts,

the region is covered with snow & hence no vegetation is found.

Importance of ForestsForests are a very important Natural Resource. They

provide raw materials to industries such as Timber, Bamboo, Cane,

Gum, Medicinal Plants, Shrubs, etc. They provide fodder to cattle. In

addition to these benefits, there are advantages which are of great

importance. They are as follows:-1. Forests provide moisture and lower the temperature.2. They prevent soil erosion and preserve the fertility of

the soil.3. Forests provide home for many animals and birds, thus

preserving bio-diversity. 4. Forests help to preserve the ecological balance.

Forests are depleted due to large-scale cutting of trees due to

industrial development, Cultivation of crops, over-grazing by

cattle, construction of railways and roadways, irrigation and

power projects. This depletion of forests has resulted in floods

$ soil erosion. Due to increase in population, demand for forest

products has increased. So there is great need to protect forests. By

planting more and more trees, we have to conserve forests.

Conservation of forestsForests are a natural gift to

humankind. Human beings first lived in

forests. Destruction of forests result in Soil Erosion, Floods, Drought,

etc. Hence, realizing the importance of forests, the Central

Government has formed a National Forest Policy in 1952. It has a

three fold plan namely: 1.Nationalism of Forest Operations.2.Protection and Operation of Wildlife

and Environment &Social Forestry.3.Commercialization of Industrial

Forest Operation. Social Forestry aims at not only

providing enough firewood, fodder & other forest products but also to

meet the requirements of ecological balance through large scale

aforestation in community land and wasteland. “Vanamohatsava” which

was started in 1950, aims at planting thousands of seedlings

during July and August. Thus it helps to preserve ecological balance.

Wildlife

Contents(Part-2)• What is Wildlife?• Where it can be

found?• Influence of various

factors on wildlife.• Wild Life maintaining

the balance in the Ecosystem

• Species included in wild life.

• Bird life of India• Evil Human• Measures to protect

Wild Life• Conservation of Wild

Life

What is Wildlife?Wildlife traditionally

refers to non-Domesticated animal

species, but has come to include all plants, fungi and

other organisms which grow or live wild in an area without

being introduced by humans. Domesticating wild plant &

animal species for human benefit has occurred many times

all over the planet, and has a major impact on the

environment, both positive and negative.

Where it can be found?Wildlife can be found in all Ecosystems. Deserts,

forests, rainforests, plains, grasslands,

other areas including the most

developedurban sites, all have distinct

forms of wildlife. While the term in popular culture usually

refers to animals that are untouched

by human factors, most

scientists agree that wildlife around is

affected by human activities.

Influence of various factors on wildlife.Humans have historically tended to

separate civilization from wildlife in a number

of ways including the legal, social, & moral

sense. Some animals, however, have adapted to

suburban environments. This includes such

animals as domesticated cats, dogs, mice, &

gerbils. Religions have often declared certain animals to

be sacred, & in modern times concern for

the natural environment has provoked

activists to protest the exploitation of wildlife for

human benefit or entertainment.

Wild Life maintaining the balance in the Ecosystem

Wild Life includes animals, birds, insects as well

as the aquatic life forms. They provide us milk, meat,

hides & wool. Insects like bees provide us honey, help

in pollination, of flowers & have an important role to

play as decomposers in the ecosystem. The birds fed on

Insects & act as decomposers as well. Vulture due to

its ability to feed on dead livestock is a scavenger &

considered a vital cleanser of the environment. So

animals big or small, all integral to maintaining

balance in the ecosystem.

Species included in wild life.India has a variety of wildlife because of its varied relief features such as climate & natural vegetation. There are about 80,000 species of wild animals, birds & fishes. India has some rare animals which are not found in any other part of the world. Eg:- Swamp Deer, Chausinga(four-horn antelope),Kashmir stag, Black Buck & Neelgai. The stopped deer of India is very beautiful. Horned Rhinoceros is found only in India and Nepal. Some of the Carnivores animals such as lions, tigers and leopards are found in our forests. The Gir Forests of Saurashtra is the natural habitat of Lions. The famous Bengal Tiger is found in theSunderbans. The national animal of India is the Tiger. The Himalayas are the home of several interesting animals like the Wild Sheep, Yak, the Mountain Goats, the Ibex, the Shrew, the Tapu, the Panda & the Snow-Leopard. Of the many species of monkeys, the languar is the most common.

BirdlifeIndia has a variety

of Bird Life. TheFalcon(hawk),

Geese, Mynahs, Parrots,

Pigeons, Cranes, Hornbills, Sunbirds &

Kingfishers are found in forests & marshy

lands. The Peacock is our national bird.

Birds are very beautiful to see and various

bird sanctuaries are full crowded with

tourists and these bird sanctuaries help India

in foreign exchange.

Evil HumanForests are our wealth. Plants give shelter to

the animals & together theymaintain the ecosystem. Changes of climate

& human interferences can cause the loss of natural habitats for the plants &

animals. Many species have become vulnerable or endangered & some

are on the verge of extinction. Deforestation, Soil Erosion, Constructional

Activities, Forest Fires, Tsunami & Landslides are some of the human & natural

factors which accelerate the process of extinction of these resources. One

of the major concerns is the poaching which result in a sharp decline in

the number of particular species. The animals are poached for collection &

illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns as well as feathers. Some of

these animals are Tigers, Loin, Elephant, Deer, Black Buck, Crocodile,

Rhinoceros, Snow Leopard, Ostrich & Peacock. These can be conserved by

increasing awareness. Humans are adversely using Wild Life & its uses. So, we

have to protect our Animal Life &Bird Life. That means there is a need

protect our Wide Wild Life.

Measures to protect Wild LifeSpecial efforts are

made to protect the endangered

species of Wild Life. National Parks and

Wildlife Sanctuaries have been

opened in order to preserve

Wildlife. There are 73 National Parks, 447

Wild Life Sanctuaries and 17

Tiger Reserves. The Bandipur,

Nagarahole and Bannerghatta national

Parks are in Karnataka. The areas

have becomeplaces of tourist-

interest.

Conservation of Wild LifeNational Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere

Reserves are made to protect our Natural Vegetation and Wild Life.

Conservation of Creeks, Lakes, and Wetlands is necessary to save the

precious resource from depletion. There is a balance in the environment

if the relative number of species is not disturbed. Human Activities in

several parts of the world have disturbed the natural habitats of

many species. Due to indiscriminate killings, several birds and

animals have either become extinct or are on the verge of

extinction. Awareness Programmes like Social Forestry & Vanamohatasava

should be encouraged at the regional and community level.

School children should be encouraged to bird watch and visit nature

camps so that they appreciate the habitat of varied species. Many

countries have passed laws against the trade as well as killing of birds

and animals. In India, killing Lions, Tigers, Dears, Great Indian

Bustards &Peacocks is illegal. An International Convention CITES*

has been established that lists several species of animals and

birds in which trade is prohibited. Conservation of Plants and Animals

is an ethical duty of every citizen.