Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

NATURAL VEGETATION AND ANIMAL LIFE

Natural vegetation and animal life depend on climate, relief and soil. The diversity of India’s climate and relief have made natural vegetation and animal life interdependent on each other and they form a single ecosystem. This ecosystem has evolved through thousands of years. Indiscriminate meddling with this ecosystem causes harmful effects. Natural vegetation and animal life are also called flora and fauna respectively.

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 types. They are : -

1) Tropical evergreen forests,

2) Tropical deciduous forests or Monsoon forests,

3)Tropical thorn and shrub forests,

4) Desert vegetation,

5) Mangrove forests and

6)Himalayan vegetation.

Evergreen Forest

 

1) Tropical evergreen forests: 

This type of vegetation is found in areas where rainfall is above 250 cms and temperature ranges between 250C and 270C. Since the trees are always green they are called evergreen forests. The heavy rainfall, high temperature and humidity are responsible for the growth of these dense forests. The trees grow about 60 mts. 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 semievergreen 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.

Deciduous Forest

2) Tropical deciduous 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 250 cms. 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.

Thorn and Shrub Forest

3) Tropical thorn and shrub forests: 

These forests are found in the central parts of the Deccan Plateau, southern parts of Maharashtra, Bellary of Karnataka, Cuddapha and Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh, where the annual rainfall is between 60 and 75 cms. These forests have short stemmed trees like Babul andKasavi trees and coarse grass. Palms and kikar trees are also found here.

Desert Vegetation

 4) Desert vegetation: 

 This type of vegetation is found in regions where the annual rainfall is less than 50 cms. Rajasthan's Thar desert, the borders of Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat have this type of vegitation. 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 Forest

5) Mangrove forests:

 These forests are formed due to tides. They are found 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 Vegetation

 

6) Himalayan or Alpine vegetation: Different types of vegetation are found in the

Himalayan mountains. The vegetation changes with altitude and rainfall. The lower regions of the Himalayas have tropical evergreen forests upto 1,500 mts. Teak, sal and rose-wood are the important trees. Temperate forests are found between 1,500 to 3,650 mts. 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 4,875 mts. Rhododendron, willow, juniper and primrose trees are found here. Flowering plants are found in Alpine meadows. During summer, at still higher altitude lichen and moss are found. Above 6,000 mts. the region is covered with snow and hence no vegetation is found.

 

Alpine Vegetation

 

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS: 

 

Forests 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 other 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 and 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.

 

 

 

Social forestry aims at not only providing enough firewood, fodder and other forest products but also to meet the requirements of ecological balance through large scale afforestation in community land and waste land. “Vanamohotsava” which was started in 1950, aims at planting thousands of seedlings during July and August. Thus it helps to preserve ecological balance.

 

CONSERVATION OF FORESTS: 

Forests are a natural gift to humankind. Human beings first lived in forests. Destruction of forests results in soil erosion, floods, drought etc. Hence, realising the importance of forests, the Central Government has formed a national forest policy in 1952. It has a threefold plan namely:

1) Nationalisation of forest operations

2) Protection and operation of wild life and environment and social forestry

3) Commercialisation of industrial forest operation

 

 

 

 

                                           Wildlife

India has a variety of wild life because of its varied relief features such as climate and natural vegetation. There are about 80,000 species of wild animals, birds and 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 and Neelgai.

 

"The national animal of India is the Tiger and Peacock is our national bird."

 

 The spotted 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 the Sunderbans. 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 and the snow leopard. Of the many species of monkeys, the languar is the most common.

India has a variety of bird life. The falcon (hawk), geese, mynahs, parrots, pigeons,

cranes, horn bills, sun birds and kingfishers are found in forests and marshy lands.National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries have been opened in order to preserve wild life. There are 73 national parks, 447 wild life sanctuaries and 17 tiger reserves. The Bandipur, Nagarahole and Bannerghatta National Parks are in Karnataka. These areas have become places of tourist interest.

 

 

Endangered species

An endangered species is a species of organisms that will likely become extinct. 

The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) shows that poaching, unauthorized logging of trees, and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources are some of the factors that have contributed to the rise of endangered species in India. Some of the animals in danger of extinction include:

 Bengal Tiger

According to the Web Journal of Endangered Species of India, tigers once roamed all over the Asia. However, human population growth over the last 100 years has reduced the tiger’s natural habitat by up to 93%. Some of the areas where you can find tigers include Corbett national Park in northern India and Madhya Pradesh in central India.To stop further decline in Bengal tiger numbers, the Indian government launched Project Tiger in 1973.

Indian Elephant

Unlike the African elephant, the Indian elephant is of average height of between seven and 12 feet. It can weigh anywhere from 3,600 kg to 5,000 kg with the skin color varying from grey to brown. You can find this elephant in wild and forested areas such as Bandipur, Manas, Madumalai, Corbett, Palamu, Nagarhole, and Periyar. These gentle giants mostly feed on grass, roots, twigs, forest fruits, leaves, and even cultivated crops. In a single day, an Indian elephant can easily clear 300 pounds of food. Currently, there are about 38,000 to 51,000 elephants in the subcontinent.

Indian Rhino

Indian rhinos also form part of endangered animals. These animals range in height from 1.6 m to 1.8 m tall and weigh anywhere from 1,600 kg to 2,200 kg. Unlike other animals, they do not have hair on their body and the average lifespan is about 47 years. You can find these rhinos in the Himalayan hills and northeastern parts of India.

Indian Lion  

Just like their African counterparts, Indian lions are carnivorous and feed on wild pigs, Chital, Sambar, and Nigal. An adult lion weighs about 200 kg to 250 kg and stands 2.5 to 2.9 feet tall. You can find Indian lions on the open grasslands and areas with deciduous forests such as Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat.

Indian subcontinent is home to a large number of birds and also witnesses the influx of numerous migratory birds. However, since a couple of years, some of these birds are facing an immense threat of extinction. One of the major reasons for Indian birds being endangered is the loss of their habitat, because of deforestation and other human activities. The other reason is large-scale hunting of birds, leading to a rapid decline in their population. From about 1,250 species of birds found in India, approximately 82 species have been listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006.

Threats to Birds

• One of the major threats faced by birds is from the loss as well as deterioration of their habitat. Trees are being felled at a rapid pace to make way for human settlements as well as agricultural activities. Even aquatic habitats are being drained, plowed, filled in, and channelized. Last but not the least, the introduction of invasive plant and animal species is also altering the natural habitat of birds.
• Birds are also facing increased competition from one another. Especially the native species of birds are finding it difficult to cope up with the exotic species.
• The direct exploitation of birds by humans is reaching alarming proportions. Human activities, such as hunting and capturing birds, are leading to a rapid decline in the bird population.
• Birds are highly sensitive to chemicals and toxins and can become fatally sick from inhaling them, either by eating or through their skin. It has been found out that, along with DDT, pesticides and oil spills, even herbicide spraying on lawns leads to death of the birds.
• Even indirect pollution of the atmosphere is having an effect on the population of birds. Things like acid rain have been discovered to affect the population of forest birds. It washes away the calcium of the soil and decreases the amount of calcium-rich prey of the birds, affecting their diet and thus, their population.
• The nesting, feeding, and roosting areas of birds have faced a lot of disturbance from the human beings, affecting their population.

Importance Of Wild Life

1. To maintain ecological 'balance of nature' and maintain food chain and nature cycles.

2. It has economic value. Many wild plants provide useful substances like timber, paper, gums etc. And they also have wide applications in Ayurveda and other branches of medicine. Wild animals products are tusk, ivory, leather, honey etc.

3. Most important contribution of wild life for human progress is availability of large gene pool for the scientists to carry breeding programmes in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery.

4. Wild life provides aesthetic value to man.

5. Wild life of a country is its cultural asset. 

 

Wildlife Conservation

 Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting endangered plant and animal species and their habitats. Among the goals of wildlife conservation are to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and to recognize the importance of wildlife and wilderness lands to humans.Wildlife conservation has become an increasingly important practice due to the negative effects of human activity on wildlife.
Conservation of wildlife involves the protection preservation, perpetuation and judicious control of rare species of plants and animals in their natural habitats.
The following important steps are proposed by scientists all over the world to save existing wildlife: 

 

 

• Conserve Habitats

 One of the most important ways to help threatened plants and animals survive is to protect their habitats permanently in national parks, nature reserves or wilderness areas. Donate to, or volunteer at, a nature preserve or let an area of your yard go natural.

 

• Make Space For Animals

 Plant trees, bushes and plants that benefit wildlife in your area.  Place a birdbath in your yard. Compost in your garden. It eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to the planet and its animals. Refrain from using harmful chemicals in your home and garden.

 

• Reduce, Reuse And Recycle

Use public transportation. Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car. Turn off lights, radios and TV's when not in use.   

 

Reuse paper and plastic bags. Don't allow water to run while you brush your teeth. Use water-saving devices. 

 

Buy products and with less packaging whenever possible. Use clothe bags at the grocery store. Recycle items you no longer use by donating them to charity. Buy organic fruits and vegetables.

 

• Plant Native Plants That Are Local To The Area

  If possible, plant native plants instead of non-native varieties in your yard. Many environmental weeds originate from individuals' gardens. Seeds can be spread by the wind or birds. 

 

• Speak Out For Animals

 Tell everyone you know about threatened species and what they can do to make a difference. Start a group dedicated to protecting animals in your area or to help care for a nature preserve. Write letters and articles about endangered species to local newspapers. Call radio programs to discuss your concerns.

•   Regulation and control on fishing, hunting, and collection of wild products from the forests. 

• Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks should be made keeping in mind the feeding, breeding and environmental needs of the species concerned.  

• Increased support from state and central government agencies for the conservation of natural resources. 

•  Prevention of unnecessary destruction of wildlife by educating human beings concerning causes, results and remedial measures of wildlife depletion. 

 

 

 

• Special attention should be given to conserve the species which fall in the category of endangered, vulnerable or rare species.

• Efforts should be made to preserve as many varieties of food crops as possible, including forage plants, timber trees, livestock, aquaculture animals and domesticated animals.

• Proper planning of land and water utilization should be done to ensure the protection of wildlife in their natural habitats or in the man-made habitats such as zoos and botanical gardens.  

• Restoration of forests, fields, grassland and swamps.  

• Prevention of devastating forest fires.

• The products of wild plants and animals being used for international trade should be allowed only at levels which would not endanger the related wildlife.  

•  Alternative measures should be adopted to allow the survival of a species being exploited by a country or a community or an industry.  

• Restoration of streams, rivers, ponds and other waterbodies to their natural conditions. 

• Each country should identify the habitats and areas of wild relatives of the economically useful species and ensure the safety of these species.  

• Migratory route should be marked out and protected for migratory birds.
  Strict laws have to be framed and enforced to check poaching, illegal hunting and trade of animal products. 

 

                                                                               Made By-Shubhi Mathur

                                                          VII B