Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Introduction to Biodiversity

• India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries of the world.
• It ranks tenth in the world and fourth in Asia for plant diversity, boasting about 47,000 plant species.
• The country is home to 15,000 flowering plants (6% of the world's total) and approximately 90,000 animal species.
• Natural Vegetation (Virgin Vegetation): Refers to a plant community that has grown naturally without human aid and remained undisturbed for a long time.
• Endemic vs. Exotic: Purely Indian species are "endemic," while those from outside are "exotic."

Major Types of Vegetation

1. Tropical Evergreen Forests

• Environment: Heavy rainfall areas (>200 cm) with a short dry season (Western Ghats, Island groups, Assam, Tamil Nadu coast).
• Features: Trees reach heights up to 60 meters; multilayered structure (trees, shrubs, creepers); appear green year-round as there is no definite time to shed leaves.
• Species: Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, and cinchona.
• Wildlife: Elephants, monkeys, lemurs, and the one-horned rhinoceros (in Assam and West Bengal).

2. Tropical Deciduous Forests

• Overview: The most widespread forests in India, also known as "Monsoon Forests."
• Moist Deciduous: Found in areas with 100-200 cm rainfall (Eastern India, Himalayan foothills, Jharkhand). Teak is the dominant species; others include bamboo, sal, and shisham.
• Dry Deciduous: Found in areas with 70-100 cm rainfall (Peninsular plateau, plains of Bihar and UP). Common trees are teak, sal, peepal, and neem.
• Behavior: Trees shed leaves for 6 to 8 weeks during the dry summer.

3. Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

• Environment: Regions with less than 70 cm rainfall (North-western India like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana).
• Adaptations: Trees have long roots to reach moisture; succulent stems to conserve water; thick, small leaves to minimize evaporation.
• Species: Acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti.

4. Montane Forests

• Altitudinal Change: Vegetation changes based on altitude:
  • 1000–2000m: Wet temperate forests (Oaks and Chestnuts).
  • 1500–3000m: Temperate coniferous forests (Pine, Deodar, Silver fir, Spruce).
  • Above 3600m: Alpine vegetation (Silver fir, Junipers, Birches) and Tundra vegetation (Mosses and Lichens) at the highest peaks.
• Wildlife: Kashmir stag, snow leopard, yak, and rare red panda.

5. Mangrove Forests

• Location: Coastal areas influenced by tides (Deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna).
• Features: Dense mangroves with roots submerged under water.
• Key Species: Sundari trees (Ganga-Brahmaputra delta) provide durable hard timber; also palm, coconut, and agar.
• Wildlife: Famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Rich Wildlife of India

• Fauna Statistics: 2,000 bird species (13% of world total) and 2,546 fish species (12% of world stock).
• Major Animals:
  • Elephants: Found in hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka, and Kerala.
  • Lions and Tigers: India is the only country with both. Lions are in the Gir Forest (Gujarat); Tigers in MP, Sundarbans, and Himalayas.
  • Arid Zone: Wild ass (Rann of Kachchh) and Camels (Thar Desert).

Medicinal Plants

India has a long history of using herbs for healing, with about 2,000 plants described in Ayurveda:

• Sarpagandha: Used to treat blood pressure (exclusive to India).
• Jamun: Used for vinegar and controlling diabetes.
• Arjun: Fresh juice for earaches; also regulates blood pressure.
• Neem: High antibiotic and antibacterial properties.
• Tulsi: Cures cough and cold.

Conservation Efforts

• Threats: Hunting for commercial gain, pollution, acid deposits, and deforestation for habitation/cultivation.
• Government Initiatives:
  • Setup of 18 Biosphere Reserves (e.g., Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nilgiri).
  • Financial and technical assistance to botanical gardens since 1992.
  • Introduction of Project Tiger, Project Rhino, and Project Great Indian Bustard.
  • Maintenance of 106 National Parks and 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
  • Implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972.