9 Natural Vegetation

llabus ttd iis Focus

mgaortance of torestS, ypes ot vegetation
tain), distribution and correlation with (tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, tropical and
their environment, forest conservation desert, n

Taman lite on earth is

possible because of the
nanure. The most precious among the bounties of nature, We obtain a
variety of substances ro
has gifts of nature are
soil, water, wildlife and
nature provided with the hidden wealth of
minerals and power sources such vegetation.
us Besides tnese
AR these (gifts of nature as solar and
are together called the Natural wind enerey
f'auna are perhaps the most
important for human beings.
Resources) Among the natural resources, tlora and

NATURAL VEGETATION AND ITS

IMPORTANCE
aural vegetation refers to a plant
heen left undisturbed by humans for a
community which has been grown naturally without human
long time) Vegetation of an area is an aid and has
nvironment. Plants provide us a lot of products important component of the naturai
Besides thi they provide including food and fibres.
shelter and food to wildlife)The natural
imatic conditions. vegetation in an area is an index of the
India is one of the
twelve mega biodiversity countries of the
has about
47.000 plant species. Due to this diversity world, JIndia has a variety of plant diversity. Ít
it has been ranked tenth in the world and fourth
The country has a great variety of in Asia.
flowering as well as non-flowering plants.
The huge diversity in flora and
fauna kingdom is due to the
1. Temperature 2. Sunlight
following factors
3. Soil 4. Relief 5. Precipitation
Temperature: Temperature and humidity are the important
xtent of
vegetation On the slopes of the Himalayas and the hillsfactors which determine the character
of the Peninsula above
and
netres, the fall in the temperature affects the types of the height of 900
btropical)temperate and alpine. vegetation and its
growth) and changes it from tropical to
Z. Sunlight:The variation
in sun's radiant energy at different places is due
ason and duration of the to difference in latitude, altitude,
dayDue to the abundance of sunlight, trees grow faster in
Precipitation Precipitation determines the density of vegetation(Areas of heavysummer) rainfall have more dense
getation as compared to other areas9 Tus
qets wal as aptpttate b
qvo
DTW-X (133
 factors
important
of the mosSt
is one diferent
ASoil:
Soil
Difierenttypesof
soilhave
given rise
affecting vegetation condtions have Emergen
sOl s such as
Changes in in many
a r e a trees rise
up to 60 m
vegetation. vegetation
fypes of coastal forests. (197 t)
to peculiar and Sandy
swamps
forests, factor affecting
mangrove important
another
5Relief(It is and mountains have
vegetation--Plains.
plateaus
vegetation
differenttypes of
OF INDIA
VEGETATION

large part of
NATURAL

cover from a
the vegetation cultivable
Although for obtaining
has beenremoved
our country
naturad vegetationstill survives. Canopy
land,inmany parts theand relief conditions make India
trees 15
53
A variety of climatic an
of plants.Himalayas are
suitable for a variety survives
natural vegetation stil rest of
importantarea where the from the
region distinct
It forms a vegetation is
outside the Himalayan region
the country. India lying The Tropical Ra
divided into four vegetation
regions: An imortant churaeteris
) The tropical evergreen forests that a
arge number
forests
(i) Tropical deciduous together. lt ereates
dittiels in the
(i) Tropical desert use of any particular variety
(iv) Littoral forests
AanHe
(v) Mountain vegetatio
repical Evergreen Forests or The Tropical INDIA
Rain Forests:
These forests are found in areas wih an anual
rainfall of 200centimetresor more CHINA
These forests grow in the areas of high
temperature and high rainfall.2
NEPA
In these forests, trees grow very vigoroOusly
Teachingheights of 60 mand above.3
These forests yield hard wood rees which is
used for making quality fumiturE. 4
Western slopes of the Western Ghats
(Windward side of the Westen Ghats). Assam,
Bengal, island groups of
Lakshadweep, and the
vaaAndaman and Nicobar islands and Odisba have
this thistype of forests. Asam
benga ttt
Ebony, mnahogany, rosewood.
Cnchona are sorme of the ubber and
mpontant uee
any,mahajn
vseiood bbe
2
t
 with Hhe environment forests. These are the most
reen Forests are very dense with thick On the basis.of extensive forests in India.
availability of water, these forests are
opcd tvergree

due to the heavy rainfal. further divided into

ndergrowth

and heavy rain aiso causethe

moist and dry deciduous.
h temperature
w vigourously,sometim reaching a height Moist deciduous:
reesto
ó0m. These forests
t moretharn
are found in
se 1rees ore
evergreen, hich means.that they do 200 centimetres of rainfall.) the/areas of 100 to
1
shedtheir eaves. This
is because of the warm Due to a
longer dry season, the trees
peraturos and plenty
of water
forestsare deciduousie they shed in these
floor lacks grasses because ot deep shade. duringthe dry seaso) However, as their each
leaves
of the
species has a different time of
the entire forest is not shedding leaves,
NOTE bare at any time.
e western side of the Western Ghats receives more
Shisham, Sandalwood, Teak and Sal are the
foll asitis on the windward side so tropical evergreen common trees found in these forests. Other 2
sts orefound on this side whereas eastern side of the economically important trees are khair,
ternGhatsis on the leeward side which receives less rosewood, shisham, etc. Bamboos are also very
fall so Tropical moist deciduous forests are found. commonly found in these forests.
This vegetation
belt covers a vast area of India

. The Tropical Deciduous Forests : These extending from north-eastern states,

along the
foothills of the Himalayas,
sts are the typical type of natural vegetation of Jharkhand, West
Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and on the
soon regions. They are also called a
the eastern
n
monsoon
Soon
slopes of the Western Ghats., HEmalajous JhoMana
IMPORTANT TREES tc.

Associated Vegetation KCharacteristics Use

Ebony Tropical Evergreen Forest Hard and durable wood Ornamental wood
Mahogany Tropical Evergreen Forest Resistance to insect and rot Used in furniture
Rosewood Tropical Evergreen Forest Strong and heavy Used for making
furniture, doors, ship
floor, plywood etc.
Cinchona Tropical Evergreen Forest Medicinal Plant Bark is used to prepare
quinine - an anti-fever

agent.
Shisham Tropical Evergreen Forest Golden to dark brown Used for plywood
agricultural and musical
instruments
Sandalwood Tropical Deciduous Forest Sweet smelling Used for making incense
medicinal produis,
talcum pOwder etc. mehcs,
Semal Moist Deciduous Forest Soft wood tree Used to manufacture
matchwood, brush,
Teak handles, toys, etc. blquspad.
Tropical Deciduous Forest Durable, weather Outdoor furniture
Sal and pest resistance éxpensie evea
ropical Deciduous Forest Strength and elasticity Railway sleepers, wheels o
Neam Mdina
DTW X (135) le ahers

oo beanin
 reiafrnwi? )a trr.

whern t e shottng t wr: h s r i

weater is not
siyttcient te rrirsritrsin
serson. fr rs way hese trae
from geting evaporgted becrn
source of evaporation. TFe hei

metres. The trees

do ngt hri.

rays reach
the lOwer portions
EA grows.
The trees here dre typicaliy
in the tropical raintorests, s r
between
floor, especially when the decidur
rainfall
found in arcas having their leaves. The availability of su
Ihese are

in dense undergrowth.
found in the rainier parts of the
These are
Bihar and
and the pilains of
peninsular plateau Stunted growth and smail
leaves m
Urtar Pradesh. 2 loss of water.
and
These are open stretches. Teak, sal, peepal
trees.
Trees are scattered and have lonz
the important
Reemare penetrate ep into soil to get :
Most of these forests have been cleared for
minerals from the soil.
Cultvation and grazing.
Vegetation consists of Babool. acacia, ce
Tropical desert: palm, shrubs and thorny bushes etc
in the
Tropical desert vegetation is found
areas

Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Punjab

receivingannual rainfall of less 70
cm.

and dry parts of Madhya Prades

One of the chief adaptation of plant life to
Deccan plateau and the rain-shadow
desert climates has been_stunted growth and
Snalleaves 2 the Western Ghats have this type of veg
Stunted growth is basically due to lack of Babool's leaves, bark. pods and the
moisture and minerals in the soiI g medicinal virtues. The leaves and the bark ar
Kaots ace exmsivt to duans w o t Bult.
Atav a spinas W=X (136 thovms
Xiholshyts'-lau aonaphsh'n.
Ra shados a west ghats a n d westenn fau

Kajousthan, uja
 NDE The plonts ot the
Desert
hot tet eiren
extremo y usg o h have o s
7%n Forest to its dry, hot
behavioural mechanisins. ycl
Pigr:ts
altering their physicai structure tho ha va
cre crled
doptar
Xerophytes, such Os cacti, xeropyes
storing and conserving usualty have specia' wys of

oCEAN water, hey otten ave taw

leaves, which reduces or ro
water loss. Most o
The pods help remove
adapted to living in the desert tme
piants heve
tion or bleeding. roots, allowing ihem to by grtwing very
long
ing get ftheir moisture
T The
7atier. Th
matter. gum allays any iritation of the earth, at or near the water deep within he
inflamed membranes of the table. Perennials
ad soothes the live for years) and ipians which
annuals (plants which live
simentary canal and genito-urinary organs. also have behavioural one
seasor
adaptations. The perenriais survive
ofhabooltree
is useful:in the treatment of by remaining dormant
bark

to life when water

during the dry periods and
for its edible fruit. come
Date Palm is harvested is available.
Annuals germinate after
Palmlisan ediblevegetable oil produced by the oil heavy rain and complete their reproductive cycle quickly.
sPalm sapis sometimes fermented to produce palm
They bloom for a tew weeks in
spring. Their
e ody, an alcoholic beverage. Coir is a coarse
dormantin the soil until the next year's rain.seeds remain
srESISTantfibre extracted from the outer shell of
introduced and cultivated for erosion and
, Usedin doormats, brushes, mattresses, and wood. fuel
Flowers are used for omamental
Some indigenous
groups living in palm-rich areas as fodder for
purposes. leaves serve
goats, also used in fencing and
alms to make many of their necessary items and Its wood is used for the hedges.
paper production. lt is also
sometimes used as the
gum.
The bark and seeds of kikar are the source of
atait.The various parts of kikar are useful in
Correlation with their environment
Drartoea. The leaves and the bark Remain small, it saves surface
are useful in through which water
ing secretion or bleeding. The pods evaporates.
help remove Get round, a more
rial matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes. advantageous ratio volume/surface,
and develop green
s widely used for firework and timber. It is cylindrical stems able to perform
photosynthesis.
nusudt
Sa mLalina þob DIW X(137
lemsatment gem
bloed co thin, Sta bld fos.
ut
Diuretu. buasinj ow

Latbl fu l o a bwmase a l u a l .
 surfece
ose o to
rot systern
nxtoudet faintal
m seanty
Deahop wgter
cEllect
fet of
m still
gfoundwaler
ond rech
r o o t system
pvelkoyp o deep wthern sufficient
dormnH as
a seed and 3 week
S h a y many years active ite to a
ther
speei up
roin folis, tHowers ond
new

p r o d u n g legves,
c E m r s s e d cyce,

also olluk vOves

mVThese
4. 1ittoral Swampy Forests
or cstuaries and
N u r in amd around the delas,
forests
influcnces and as such are also
r e h s pronc to tdal
known as delha or snampy foresis.
() They found in the Andaman
are Nicobr and
of West Bengal. They
1slands and the Sunderbans the coast. swanp Correlatlon with the environment
also occur at several places along
forests are confincd to the(dcltas
of the Cianga, the Mangroves (generally) are trees
, rat

Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kavcri)D

in saline (brackish) Coastal habitat
Is
subtropics. Mangroves can live the
(ii) The most pecuiar featurc ofthese forcsls
in

and grow both in fresh as wcll

prop themselves up
above the water ator ate
thatthcy can survIve
and can then take in air through pore it stit
asbrackish waler root systems allow mangroves to tab
moMs) cnable the planis
(n)Acrnalnvas (breathing from the atmosphere, and various othe ases de
o breath in air. from the inhospitable soil. Gases ar irierts, lie
ite often str
directly inside the roots and processeden
are submerged during high tide. wNen th

climatic conditions here change wih altitude

direction of slopes in relation to sun In
theHin
Hinde
region, the northern slopes usually receive the
only for a few hours during the day at
louSun
ang
a

contrast he southern slopes

receive com
vertical rays duringg the middle of the dayAs
the southern slopes being warmer, fall s afre-
in the ar.-
greater evapotranspiration, consequently the veoer
Aerial roots enable the plants to breath. is up to higher altitude on the
(1) The most important tree is the sundari tree
souther slopes tharm
thenorthern slopes.
after which the Sunderbans are named. It_provides The altitude is the most
hard and durable timber which is used for construction important factor contr
the type of vegetation in this
andbuilding purposes as well as for making boats mountainous
(vi) The important species found in these Vegetation in the foothill zone is similar to that rfoune
forests
are Sundri, burguiera, sonneratia, agar, bhendi, keora, the neighbouring plains. Tropical deciduous foret
ipa. amur, bhara, rhizophora, screw therefore the natural
nd palms, hintal etc. pines, canes
is one of the most
vegetation of the foothill zone
one

important trees growing in this i

Mountain Vegetation: especially the central and the eastern parts
in
of

The Himalaya has natural a

Himalayas. Above the tropical deciduous fores
cover of found
ging from subtropical forests to vegetation the subtropical hill
vegetation. In this z0
e fver sub-arctic. The found the forests of evergreen oaks, chestnuls

DTW-X (138) Altule

hoprrot
 Its histrocia use to
construct
INDIA
landscape arour temples is reli 1mples and
n salya Vegotation during the British colonial well n fndia.
used extensively period,
for construction ofderbat
buildings. bridges, canals and
railway cas
CHINA
Forest Conservation and tts
NEPL need
(Clearing of forest and other
Trpkr eftante
vegetation for agita
commercial, housing ctc. is.known
Forests are Shrinking
as
deforestatio
The British directly
BAY OF BENGAL commercial crops likeencouraged
jute,
the
production of
sugar,
demand for these crops increased und cotton. The
NDEX Europe where tood grains were in nineteenth-century
growing urban needed to feed the
Himalayan Vegetation
required population and
for industrial raw
moterials were
I n the early nineteenth
production.
forests were century, the British
thought that
be wildernessunproductive.
A R T H A

Forests were considered

that had to be to
that the land could brought under
yield agricultural cultivation
so
OCEAN
revenue, and enhance the income products and
of the British.
The increased
Berween the altitude
of 1,600 metres and demand for commercial like jute,
sugarcane, cotton has lead to huge loss crops
lies the elt of the coniferous trees such The spread of of forest.
eres
railways and construction of
hoe pire,
deodar, etc. This belt is
silver fir, ceda the 1850s created a
new demand.
roads from
.

lagad by the belt of alpine flora at an altitude of essential for trade and for the Railways were
movement of
m han 3,500 metres
where the vegetation consists run
locomotives, wood was needed fuel, people. To
and to lay
as

grasses. The upper limit of the railway lines sleepers were essential to hold the
spbs, scrubs and tracks
together. Each mile of railway track required around
nie vegetation
is the permanent snow line above
2,000 sleepers. As the railway tracks
spread
larger and larger number of trees werethrough
h no plaals grow.
India,
a

The wood of oak is hard and tough, used since felled.

Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to
nent times for general construction purposes as make way for tea, coffee and rubber
plantations.
ars. 30ots, wagons, vessels, and wine casks. It is
Epwd, orin charcoal manufacture. Need for Conservation of Forests
Piaes are among the most commercially important A forese is a complex ecosystem which is
f species, valued for their timber and wood pulp. predominantlycomposed of trees, shrubs and is usually
zmdir their use as omamentals throughout the world. a closed canopy.)Forests are storehouses of large a
The wood of silver fir is soft and not
very strong; it variety of life forms such as plants, mammals, birds,
LSed for
paper making, packing crates and other insects and reptiles etc. Also the forests have abundant
pconstruction work. microorganisms and fungi, which do the important work
g r e a t demand as building material of decomposing dead organic matter thereby enriching
eof
its durability, rot-resistant character and the soil. So forests are one of the most important
Se grain, which is capable of taking high polish. component of ecological balance.

DTW X(139
 sandalwood (fOr
its tragrance ). fe

pread worth about 7

60 million.
sand
for the
by Various Measures
n
here Forests evatio
erts. conservation does not mean
Forest ne denial
esof the proper use without co
use, but rather
Thus adverse affect on our economy or cnviron ng
ent
1. The Ministry of Environment and E
rtant The Ministry of Environment and
rests
nd Fore Forests is th
ather administrative
nodal agency in the structure
for the planning, promot oft
ater.
Central Government,
both
ordination and overseeing the implementati
on
environmental and forestry programmes. The Mini
ers The C
is also the nodal agency in the country for the In
ing
and
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The Chipko Movement

The principal activities undertaken by Minist women mnovement in the

nd. fo prevent the cutting o
Environment and Forests consist of conservation
cle. survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife, preveni forest rights that were fa
e a of the state
and control of pollution, afforestation and regenern Forest Dep-
the
ce of degraded areas and protection of environmem. One of Chipko's
of the framework of legislations. participation ot tema=
ity 2. Forest Policy: India is one of thefewcounr Uittarakhand agrarian s
attected oy environmer
ey which has a forest policy since 1894. It was revst and
ihus
connected ihe
TW-X (140
 forest
ef the
lA77k
p*1pt
roititXR, C9AServatimn and 33 e
ffarest atinn 3n saf
rograms:

preMec ting
the uder he prv161997 the
e s n y iand

rses.

bility through Re afforesafon and Defore

halance.
oration of evological
Affotestotion:The
forest is called
scheme of ofantotion of ne
age. offorestorion
and deCnudation in Urder this scheme riewly pfarnted foresis
sn orosion ara
corefily
Jakes and reservoirs, supervised to protect agairist forest fires. Researgh is
es
1ivers,
also corried out to ascertun fhe
duncs in desert areas type of traes hot
extension
of sand best in diterent regions and grpw
k on types of so
tracts,
coastal
Under the "Van
of trees have beenMohatsavg
that ad along movement, housands
pianted along roads, rgifway lines
and hill slopes.
THE CHIPKOMOVEMENT
(ii) Re-afforestation The restoration
of forasts that had
been indiscriminately destroyed,is called

(iii)
ra-fforestation
Deforestation:Clearing
as deforestation.
or
cuting ot trees is knoww

3. Social Forestry: Sociai forestry means the

management and protection of the forests as well as
afforestation of barren lands aimed at
environmental, social, and rural developmenthelping in

the traditional
as
against
objective of securing revenue. It is apthy
described as forestry of the
and for the people. The main
people. by the peopie
thrust of social
is to reduce foresry
pressure on the traditiona! forests areas
by developing plantations of fuelwood. fodder and
grasses. Social forestry has become very
The Chipko Movement
the last three popular during
Te
decades.
Cinpk Movement (literally "to stick" in 4.
nar
niovement in the Uttarakhand
indi) was a Agriculture and forestry : Ever since man
BEvent the
e
region which acted began cultivating crops and domesticating animals. he
cuting of trees and reclaim their traditional
hàs been practising
arest rnghits thict

he Stote Forest
were threatened
by the contractor system agroforestry as these actüvities took
Department. place along forest areas.
UTE
Lpko's most salient Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use
on of female villagers.teatures
was the mass systems
As the backbone of
involving trees combined with
crops on the
f Ograrian same unit of land. lndian
economy, women were most directly government is alsc
Dy
TE
uS ironmental degradafion and deforestation, encouraging Agroforestry
Conmected the issues most easily To meet the demand of fuel, fodder and timbe-
for the increasing population.

B-to sthh DIW X(141)

 fOrests. degraded forestS. Under the schent
biotic pressure o n cXIsting
Th reduce the committee known as the Forest Proi
in tenns of yicld from
To obtain a x i m u n utpH (FPC) and the Forest Department lae
the s a m e picce of
land.
agreement. Villagers agree to assist i Tle
wastelandklegraded lands by planting
develop
To of forest resources through protectieon
suitable tree species with agricultural crops. and illegal harvestinig in exchange for
To rxhce the
envionmental pollutiom by planting non-timber forest products and a sh
from the sale of timber products. T
tree speCICs.
To reduce soil erosion Forest Management (JFM) was acc
CVere
5. Joint Forest Management: In i1990, the
The JFM Programme was pursued
a result JFM resolution has now b
yinitiandatedz
sly
guidelines to involve the villagge
vernment issued
in the development and protection
of the 28 states. opiedina
ununities

jlossary are called natural

like air, water, minerals, etc., resoi
urces.
Natural Resources: All the gifts of nature
of trees.
Forest: A forest is an area with a high density
Flora: Plants of a particular region.
Fauna : Species of a particular region.
species living in association with each other.
Vegetation The assemblage of plant
wood, etc.
Timber, small wood, fuel
Major Forest product: than wood.
obtainable from the forests other
Minor Forest products : All forest products
and developing forest by cal me
involving loCal
Forest Management (JFM): t is a concept of preserving pecole
Joint

JSel Assessmen
nswer the following questions
and fauna ? Give two reasons.
Why india has huge diversity in flora
the type of vegetation ?
How sunlight and precipitation determine
What is vegetation ?
Mention the types of vegetation prevailing in India.
identihy the type of vegetation:
to 100 cm
(a) The forests are found in areas having rainfall between 70
cm

(b) The forests are found in areas with annual rainfall of 200 cm or more.

() The forests are found in areas of less than 70 cm of rainfall.

Mention two features of Tropical rain forest.
Mention two features of Tropical deciduous (moist) forest.
Mention two features of Tropical deciduous (dry) forest.
Aention two features of Thorn forest.
ention two features of Tidal forest.
lention any two important trees of following forest:
Tropical rain forest (b) Tropical dry deciduous
Tropical moist deciduous (d) Tidal forest.

DTW-X (142)