5. NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE

Have you observed the type of trees, bushes, grasses and birds in the fields and parks in and around your school? Are they similar or there are variations? India being a vast country you can imagine the types of bio-forms available throughout the country.

Our country India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries of the world. With about 47,000 plant species India occupies tenth place in the world and fourth in Asia in plant diversity. There are about 15,000 flowering plants in India, which account for 6 percent in the world’s total number of flowering plants. The country has many non-flowering plants, such as ferns, algae and fungi. India also has approximately 90,000 species of animals, as well as a rich variety of fish in its fresh and marine waters.

India is a vast country with a rich diversity of plants and animals. It has around 47,000 different types of plants and about 90,000 animal species, making it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Specifically, India has 15,000 flowering plants, which constitute a significant portion of the global total. This indicates that when you look at your local environment, you are seeing just a small part of the country's rich biodiversity.

Think of India as a giant garden with thousands of different plants and animals. Just like how a garden can have roses, tulips, and daisies all together, India has many species that thrive in different environments, making it unique.

Natural vegetation refers to a plant community, which has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. This is termed as virgin vegetation. Thus, cultivated crops and fruits, orchards form part of vegetation but not natural vegetation.

Natural vegetation consists of plants that grow in their natural habitats without human intervention. This indicates that these plants have adapted to the local environment over time. Virgin vegetation is a term used to describe such undisturbed ecosystems. In contrast, cultivated crops and orchards are human-made and do not count as natural vegetation.

Imagine a wild forest where trees, flowers, and bushes grow freely without any interference from people—this is like a natural garden. On the other hand, a farm where vegetables and fruits are planted and tended to by farmers is similar to a garden where everything is carefully arranged by people.

The following major types of vegetation may be identified in our country:

(i) Tropical Evergreen Forests (ii) Tropical Deciduous Forests (iii) Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs (iv) Montane Forests (v) Mangrove Forests

India has several distinct types of vegetation based on climate, soil, and topography. Each type has unique characteristics:

1. Tropical Evergreen Forests: These forests thrive in regions with heavy rainfall and have a variety of trees.
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests: Trees here shed their leaves in dry seasons and are widespread across the country.
3. Tropical Thorn Forests: Found in arid regions, these forests consist of thorny bushes and sparse trees.
4. Montane Forests: Located in mountainous areas, these forests change with altitude, featuring different kinds of trees at different levels.
5. Mangrove Forests: These grow in coastal areas and are adapted to grow in salty water.

Think of India’s vegetation like different neighborhoods in a city. Just as each neighborhood might have its own style of houses based on the community living there, India’s diverse climates and environments create different types of forests and plants that adapt to those specific conditions.

These forests are restricted to heavy rainfall areas of the Western Ghats and the island groups of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, upper parts of Assam and Tamil Nadu coast. 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.

Tropical Evergreen Forests are rich in biodiversity and are found in regions with very high rainfall. These forests do not have a specific time when all trees shed their leaves, resulting in a green landscape throughout the year. The tall trees create layers of vegetation, supporting a wide range of wildlife.

Consider a densely packed apartment building where each floor has different types of plants. In this building, some plants might be long and tall, while others are shorter and bushy. Similarly, the tall trees in tropical evergreen forests create various levels for different plants and animals to thrive.

These are the most widespread forests of India. They are also called the monsoon forests and spread over the region receiving rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. Trees of this forest type shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in dry summer.

Tropical Deciduous Forests are more common and are characterized by trees that lose their leaves during dry seasons to conserve water. These forests are further categorized into moist and dry deciduous forests based on the amount of rainfall they receive.

Imagine a tree in your backyard that looks lush and full during the rainy season, but when summer comes, it starts dropping its leaves to preserve water. This is similar to how tropical deciduous trees work, shedding leaves during the dry months.

In regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall, the natural vegetation consists of thorny trees and bushes. This type of vegetation is found in the north-western part of the country, including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and others.

Thorn forests and scrubs are adapted to dry conditions and feature plants that have thorny leaves to minimize water loss. The trees here have long roots that reach deep into the soil for moisture.

Think of a cactus in a desert—how it has adapted to survive with very little water. Similarly, the plants in thorn forests have evolved to thrive in low rainfall and harsh conditions.

Montane forests are found in mountainous areas with varying temperatures at different altitudes. As one goes higher, the vegetation changes from broad-leaf trees at lower altitudes to coniferous trees at higher ones. Meanwhile, mangrove forests grow in coastal regions where they can tolerate salty water and have unique roots.

Montane forests showcase a gradual transition in vegetation as altitude increases, while mangrove forests are significant for their ability to thrive in tidal conditions, supportive of unique ecosystems that host diverse wildlife including birds and aquatic life.

Imagine climbing a mountain; as you go higher, the air gets cooler, and the kinds of plants change, just like how the environment shifts in montane forests. For mangroves, it’s like finding trees at the beach that grow directly in the salty water, helping to protect the shoreline from erosion.

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. They constitute 13% of the world’s total. There are 2,546 species of fish, which account for nearly 12% of the world’s stock.

India's wildlife is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of animal species in various ecosystems. This includes numerous birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals, highlighting the importance of biodiversity to the ecosystem.

Think of a zoo where every cage is filled with a different kind of animal from around the world. India functions like that on a much larger scale, where different habitats support a wide array of wildlife, each playing a role in the ecosystem.

India is known for its herbs and spices from ancient times. Some 2,000 plants have been described in Ayurveda, and at least 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 traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in India is vast, with many being integral to holistic health practices. However, some of these plants are at risk due to habitat loss and over-exploitation.

Consider how families often have a trusted recipe for a specific tea made from local herbs when someone is not feeling well. This personal knowledge can be expanded to include hundreds of herbs used throughout the country for various traditional remedies.

To protect the flora and fauna of the country, the government has taken many steps. Eighteen biosphere reserves have been set up in the country to protect flora and fauna.

The Indian government recognizes the importance of preserving its biodiversity and has established protected areas, such as biosphere reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries, which help safeguard plant and animal species.

It is similar to how a community might set up a park to protect local wildlife and plants, ensuring that the area remains a safe haven where animals can live and thrive without the threat of urban development.

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