Natural Vegetation| Class 11 Geography Notes

India is one of the world’s 12 mega biodiversity countries. We boast around 47,000 plant species, ranking us tenth globally and fourth in Asia for plant diversity. Among these, we have about 15,000 flowering plants, making up 6 percent of the world’s total. Additionally, India is home to numerous non-flowering plants like ferns, algae, and fungi. In this article, we will learn more about Class 11 Geography Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation in great detail.

Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that have grown on their own without human intervention and have been undisturbed by humans for a significant period. This untouched plant cover is often referred to as virgin vegetation. Therefore, cultivated crops, fruits, and orchards are not considered part of natural vegetation, as they are intentionally grown and managed by humans.

Did You Know?

The virgin vegetation, which are purely Indian are known as endemic or indigenous species but those which have come from outside India are termed as exotic plants.

Types of Forests

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

Natural Vegetation: Overview

Forest Type	Location	Rainfall Range	Characteristics	Common Species
Tropical Evergreen Forests	Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, etc.	>200 cm	– Dense, multilayered vegetation<br>- Trees up to 60m tall – Green throughout the year – Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, cinchona	Elephants, monkeys, deer, rhinoceroses, birds, bats, etc.
Tropical Deciduous Forests	Northeastern states, Eastern Ghats, etc.	200-70 cm	– Shed leaves in dry season – Teak, sal, bamboos, sandalwood, etc.	Lions, tigers, pigs, deer, elephants, birds, snakes, etc.
Thorn Forests and Scrubs	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, etc.	<70 cm	– Thorny trees & bushes – Drought-resistant adaptations	Rats, mice, rabbits, foxes, wolves, tigers, lions, etc.
Montane Forests	Himalayan region, Southern & Northeast India	Varies	– Changes with altitude – Evergreen broad-leaf, coniferous, grasslands, alpine vegetation	Kashmir stag, snow leopard, yaks, bears, red pandas, etc.
Mangrove Forests	Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, coastal areas	Varies	– Found in tidal regions – Mangrove trees with submerged roots – Sundari trees, palms, coconuts, etc.	Royal Bengal Tiger, turtles, crocodiles, gharials, etc.

Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen Forests

These forests are primarily located on the western slope of the Western Ghats, in the hills of the northeastern region, and on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They thrive in warm and humid areas with annual precipitation exceeding 200 cm and mean annual temperatures above 22°C.

Tropical evergreen forests exhibit a well-stratified structure, with layers of vegetation ranging from shrubs and creepers near the ground to short and tall varieties of trees. Some trees in these forests can grow to towering heights of 60 meters or more. Due to the absence of a distinct leaf-shedding season, flowering, and fruiting period, these forests maintain their greenery throughout the year. Common species found in these forests include rosewood, mahogany, aini, and ebony.

Semi-evergreen forests are prevalent in regions with comparatively lower rainfall. These forests feature a blend of evergreen and moist deciduous trees, with undergrowth climbers contributing to their evergreen appearance. Prominent species in semi-evergreen forests include white cedar, hollock, and kail.

Historically, the British recognized the economic significance of India’s forests and initiated large-scale exploitation efforts. They altered the forest landscape, replacing oak forests in Garhwal and Kumaon with pine (chirs) to meet the demand for railway construction. Forests were also cleared to establish plantations of tea, rubber, and coffee. Timber from these forests was extensively used in construction activities due to its insulating properties. Consequently, the focus shifted from the protective use of forests to commercial exploitation.

Tropical Deciduous Forests

These forests are the most prevalent in India and are commonly referred to as monsoon forests. They are distributed across regions receiving rainfall ranging between 70-200 cm. Based on water availability, these forests are further classified into moist and dry deciduous categories.

Moist deciduous forests are prominent in areas experiencing rainfall between 100-200 cm. They are found in the northeastern states along the Himalayan foothills, the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, and in Odisha. Key species in these forests include teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood.

Dry deciduous forests cover extensive areas of the country where rainfall varies between 70-100 cm. They transition to moist deciduous forests in wetter regions and to thorn forests in drier areas. These forests are widespread in the rainier regions of the Peninsula, as well as the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In regions with higher rainfall, such as the Peninsular plateau and the northern Indian plains, these forests exhibit a parkland landscape characterized by open areas interspersed with teak and other trees, along with patches of grass. During the dry season, the trees shed their leaves entirely, giving the forest a grassland-like appearance. Common trees in these forests include tendu, palas, amaltas, bel, khair, and axlewood.

In the western and southern parts of Rajasthan, vegetation cover is sparse due to low rainfall and excessive grazing pressure.

Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

• Found in regions with less than 70 cm rainfall, including northwestern parts of India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana).
• Vegetation consists of thorny trees and bushes with adaptations to conserve water.
• Common plant species include acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti.
• Animals include rats, mice, rabbits, foxes, wolves, tigers, lions, wild asses, horses, and camels.

Montane Forests

• Found in mountainous areas with decreasing temperature with increasing altitude.
• Wet temperate forests found between 1000 and 2000 meters, dominated by evergreen broad-leaf trees like oaks and chestnuts.
• Temperate forests between 1500 and 3000 meters contain coniferous trees such as pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce, and cedar.
• Temperate grasslands and Alpine vegetation found at higher altitudes (>3600 meters).
• Common animals include Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, jack rabbits, Tibetan antelope, yaks, snow leopards, squirrels, ibex, bears, red pandas, sheep, and goats.

Littoral and Swamp Forests

India boasts a diverse array of wetland habitats, with approximately 70 percent of these areas dedicated to paddy cultivation. The total wetland area covers 3.9 million hectares, with two specific sites, Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, designated as protected water-fowl habitats under the Ramsar Convention.

The country’s wetlands are classified into eight categories:

1. Reservoirs of the Deccan Plateau in the south, along with lagoons and other wetlands along the southern west coast.
2. Vast saline expanses in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the Gulf of Kachchh.
3. Freshwater lakes and reservoirs extending from Gujarat to Rajasthan, including Keoladeo National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
4. Delta wetlands and lagoons along India’s east coast, such as Chilika Lake.
5. Freshwater marshes in the Gangetic Plain.
6. Floodplains of the Brahmaputra, marshes, and swamps in the hills of northeast India and the Himalayan foothills.
7. Lakes and rivers in the montane region of Kashmir and Ladakh.
8. Mangrove forests and other wetlands in the island arcs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Mangroves, which thrive along coastal salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats, and estuaries, are composed of salt-tolerant plant species and provide habitat for numerous bird species. In India, mangrove forests cover an area of 6,740 square kilometers, constituting 7 percent of the world’s mangrove forests. They are particularly well-developed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sundarbans of West Bengal, as well as in the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna rivers. However, these forests are under threat from encroachment and require conservation efforts.

Forest Conservation

Forests play a crucial role in sustaining life and the environment, providing a myriad of direct and indirect benefits to the economy and society. Recognizing their significance, the Government of India introduced a nationwide forest conservation policy, initially adopted in 1952 and further modified in 1988. The revised forest policy emphasizes sustainable forest management to conserve and expand forest reserves while meeting the needs of local communities.

The key objectives of the forest policy include:

1. Bringing 33 percent of geographical areas under forest cover.
2. Maintaining environmental stability and restoring forests where ecological balance is disturbed.
3. Conserving the natural heritage, biological diversity, and genetic pool of the country.
4. Mitigating soil erosion, desertification, floods, and droughts.
5. Increasing forest cover through social forestry and afforestation on degraded land.
6. Enhancing forest productivity to provide timber, fuel, fodder, and food for rural populations and promoting wood substitution.
7. Mobilizing a mass movement involving women to promote tree planting, halt deforestation, and alleviate pressure on existing forests.

Forests are indispensable to tribal communities, serving as their home, livelihood, and sustenance. Tribal economies heavily rely on forests for food, shelter, materials for construction, and artistic endeavors. The traditional knowledge of tribal communities regarding forestry can be leveraged for forest development, emphasizing their role as growers of minor forest produce rather than mere collectors.

To implement the forest conservation policy, various initiatives were undertaken, including:

1. Social Forestry:
   • Urban Forestry: Managing and protecting trees in urban areas such as green belts, parks, and roadside avenues.
   • Rural Forestry: Promoting agro-forestry and community forestry to integrate forestry with agriculture and provide communal benefits.
   • Farm Forestry: Encouraging farmers to grow trees for commercial and non-commercial purposes on their lands.
2. Farm Forestry: Farm forestry involves farmers cultivating trees on their agricultural land for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. State forest departments distribute tree seedlings at no cost to small and medium farmers to support this initiative. Farmers can utilize various areas on their farms, such as field margins, grasslands, pastures, and spaces around homes and cow sheds, for planting trees as part of non-commercial farm forestry practices.

Wildlife

Visiting a zoo allows one to observe animals and birds in captivity, but India’s wildlife represents a significant natural heritage. It’s estimated that around 4-5% of all known plant and animal species on Earth are found in India, owing to its diverse ecosystems preserved over ages. However, human activities have disturbed their habitats, leading to a significant decline in their numbers. Some species are on the verge of extinction.

Several factors contribute to the decline of wildlife:

1. Industrial and technological advancements have led to increased exploitation of forest resources.
2. Expansion of agriculture, human settlements, roads, mining, and reservoirs has resulted in habitat loss.
3. Local communities lop trees for fodder and fuelwood, affecting wildlife and their habitat.
4. Grazing by domestic cattle further impacts wildlife habitats.
5. Hunting, once a sport for the elite, has now turned into commercial poaching.
6. Forest fires also pose a threat to wildlife and their habitats.

Recognizing the importance of wildlife conservation for national and global heritage, as well as the promotion of ecotourism, the government has taken steps in this direction.

Wildlife Conservation in India

India has a rich tradition of wildlife protection, reflected in stories from sources like the Panchtantra and Jungle Books, which have influenced generations. In 1972, India enacted a comprehensive Wildlife Act aimed at conserving and protecting wildlife. The Act has two primary objectives: safeguarding endangered species listed in its schedule and providing legal support for conservation areas like National parks, sanctuaries, and closed areas. Amended in 1991, the Act strengthened punishments and included provisions for protecting specified plant species and conserving endangered wild animals.

The country boasts 101 National parks and 553 wildlife sanctuaries. Recognizing the importance of wildlife conservation for national and global heritage, the government has collaborated with UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme to initiate special steps. Biosphere Reserves play a crucial role in this effort, with several designated across the country.

Special schemes like Project Tiger (1973) and Project Elephant (1992) have been implemented to conserve these species and their habitats sustainably. Project Tiger aims to ensure the maintenance of viable tiger populations in India and preserve areas of biological importance. Initially launched in nine tiger reserves covering 16,339 sq. km, it has expanded to 50 reserves covering 71,027.10 sq. km. The tiger population has increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2020, representing 70% of the global tiger population.

Project Elephant, launched in 1992, aims to assist states with free-ranging elephant populations, ensuring the long-term survival of viable elephant populations in their natural habitat. Implemented in 16 states, this project focuses on protecting and conserving wild elephants. Other projects, such as the Crocodile Breeding Project and Project Hangul, also contribute to wildlife conservation efforts in India.

Biosphere Reserves

A Biosphere Reserve is a distinctive and characteristic ecosystem encompassing terrestrial and coastal regions, internationally acknowledged under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The primary goals of a Biosphere Reserve, as illustrated in Figure 5.9, are to facilitate conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research.

India boasts 18 Biosphere Reserves, as detailed in Table 5.1 and Figure 5.8. Among these, eleven Biosphere Reserves have received recognition from UNESCO and are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Conclusion – Class 11 Chapter 5 Geography Natural Vegetation

India has many different kinds of forests, like dense green forests, thorny bushes, and trees near mountains. Each forest has special plants and animals. Some forests stay green all year, while others lose their leaves in dry times. Mangrove forests grow near the sea and help protect the land. But these forests are in danger because people cut down too many trees. We need to protect them so that animals have homes and our environment stays healthy.

FAQs on Class 11 Chapter 5 Geography Natural Vegetation

What is natural vegetation Class 11 geography?

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.

What is natural vegetation in detail?

Natural vegetation implies plants that have not been developed and processed naturally by mankind. They have been left undisturbed by humankind for a long period of time. The types of natural vegetation differ according to precipitation, soil, climate, and topography.

What is natural vegetation questions and answers?

The grasses, shurbs and trees that grow on their own without any human interference or help are termed natural vegetation.

How many of the biosphere reserves from India are Recognised by the Unesco Ncert?

There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India established by the government that protect large areas of natural habitats but only 12 are recognised by UNESCO.

Why is natural vegetation important?

Importance of Natural Vegetation: Vegetation provides shelter to animals and provides us with timber and many other forest produce. Plants also produce oxygen when they make food and oxygen is the gas we breathe. Plants protect soil from degradation. Plants help in recharging the groundwater.