Assignment 8 Class VIII Geography

Chapter 9 : , FLORA AND FAUNA

Note: The Study Material consists of 3 parts -

○ Part I - The important highlights of the chapter. ○ Part II - The activity based on the chapter. ○ Part III - The questions based on the study material that you need to answer in your respective notebook and submit when you are back to the school.

PART I HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION - The climate of a country is based on the detailed study of its temperature, rainfall, atmospheric pressure and direction of the winds.

The climate of greatly influenced by two factors :

(a) The (232°N) – It divides India into two halves - north temperate zone ​ and the south tropical zone.

(b) The Great Himalayan range from northwest to northeast direction - It separates India ​ from the rest of , thus preventing the country from the bitter cold winds from . The vast north-south extent of India 8°N to 37°N covers a distance of about 3214 km from north to south. While one can observe the unique climatic contrasts from north to south. One factor which unifies the climate of India is the fact of with alternation of seasons and reversal of winds. Therefore, the climate of India is called Tropical .

2. FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE OF INDIA India experiences great variation in temperature and rainfall due to various factors affecting its climate. They are:

(a) and topography (b) Influence of the (c) Altitude

(d) Distance from the sea (e) Western disturbances and tropical cyclones (1) Upper air currents and jet streams

(a) Latitude and topography: The Tropic of Cancer divides India into temperate or subtropical north and tropical south. Thus, northern India experiences continental or extreme types of climate whereas the southern part experiences tropical climate. The southern peninsula experiences moderate climate as it is enclosed on three sides by the , the and the Bay of . Coastal experience marine or equable climate.

(b) Influence of Himalayas: The great Himalayan ranges obstruct the bitter cold winds from from entering the . The Himalayas intercept the moisture laden South west monsoon winds forcing them to shed their moisture, resulting in heavy rainfall in the northeast and Indo-Gangetic .

(c) Altitude: Temperature decreases with increasing altitude at the rate of 1°C for every ​ 166m. Hence, places situated at the higher altitude are cooler as compared to places in the plains, c.g., Nainital is cooler as compared to .

(d)Distance from the sea: The places situated in the interior experience extreme or continental type of climate, whereas places situated at the coast experience marine or equable type of climate, e.g., situated at the coast experiences equable climate, whereas experiences extreme type of climate.

(e) Western disturbances and tropical cyclones: Western disturbances or temperate cyclones originate in during winter and bring rainfall in Northwest India and snowfall in the Himalayas. During summer the whole of eastern coast of India comes under the influence of tropical cyclones. They cause heavy loss to life and property

(f)The upper air currents or jet streams: The Upper air CURRents or jet streams affect the onset and departure of the monsoon.

3. THE CLIMATIC CONTRASTS Due to its vast north-south extent. India experiences sharp climatic contrasts. ● The places to the north of the Tropic of Cancer experience continental type of climate, i.e. very hot during summer and very cold during winter, e.g., temperature rises upto 55°C. in Rajasthan while in near Kargil, the temperature may go down to 40°C. ● The places along the eastern and western coast experience equable or marine type of climate, e.g., Mumbai and Chennai. Here the range of temperature is very low being near to the Equator.

● The annual rainfall varies from 1187 cm at (highest in Asia) in the state of to 25 cm in Rajasthan. ● Himalayas experience heavy snowfall during winter, while in the south, even in winter the places at high altitude do not receive any snowfall, being nearer to the Equator.

4. CHANGE OF SEASONS IN INDIA

India's tapering peninsular topography, surrounded on three sides by water, plays an important role in determining the course of monsoon winds and resulting in unique climate of India consisting of four seasons:

1. Monsoons : The word monsoon owes its origin to an Arabic word Mausim meaning season. These winds reverse their directions seasonally. They blow from southwest to northeast for six months and from northeast to southwest for another six months. Hence, they are called southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon.

2. On the basis of monsoon variations the may be divided into four main seasons: (a) The hot dry season (March to May). (b) The rainy season or the season of southwest monsoon (June to September). (c) The season of the retreating southwest monsoon (October and November). (d) season or the season of the last monsoon (December to February).

(a) The hot dry season (March to May)

This season is characterised by dry weather and excessive heat practically all over the country.

Temperature conditions over the land

● During the summer solstice the sun shines directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. ● The mainland of India experiences intense heat during the months of March to May. As a result low pressure conditions develop over the land while high pressure prevails over the surrounding seas. ● There is a steady increase in temperature from south to north with the highest in the interior. Rajasthan experiences the highest temperature between 45° to 55°C. In , the temperature is above 32°C over most of the interior, whereas in the coastal areas the average temperature remains 26°C and above.

Pressure conditions

● The warmest areas shift from Deccan to Northwest India during May, where a low pressure trough develops between the and the Chota plateau. ● Since the surrounding areas are cooler and have high pressure, the prevailing southeast are attracted towards the low pressure area and blow from southwest to northeast, known as southwest monsoon. Here hot season ends and southwest monsoon sets in the month of June.

Storms during hot season

● During May, the winds surrounding the low trough area are drawn into circulation. ● These local winds give rise to thunderstorms with REMINStrong dusty winds often causing a Mshower of in , Haryana and .

Local winds during hot season ● Kali Baisakhi : In or the local winds are called Kali Baisakhi (calamity of Baisakh month). ● are hot dusty winds and are also called sandstorms which blow between the months of May and June in the northern plains. ● Mango showers: These occur in during April/May. They bring a little rain which is important for mango, tea, crops. Hence, they are called mango showers.

Characteristic features of hot season

● This season is marked by dry weather and excessive heat. ● In this season the sun shines directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. ● The range of temperature is very high. ● The brief spell of showers experienced in this season is very useful for tea crop in Assam, rice in West Bengal and mango, tea and coffee in the south.

(b) The rainy season of the southwest monsoon (from June to September)

Onset of the monsoon over the in is a spectacular event. There is a miraculous change in the general scenario of the country. The landscape seems suddenly transformed with lush green fields and overflowing rivers.

● Origin of Monsoon: Monsoons are basically land and sea breezes on a large scale. During hot season, because of the excessive heat, a low pressure develops over the landmass of India while the surrounding water bodies remain relatively cool and a high pressure develops over the seas. ● The intense low pressure over the land attracts the trade winds blowing in the . These winds, after crossing the equator, are deflected towards right in the and blow towards the mainland of India from southwest to northeast. These are called southwest monsoon. ● The southwest monsoon divides into two branches due to tapering topography of peninsular India. (i) The Arabian Sea branch ​ (ii) The branch The Arabian Sea branch : The Arabian Sea branch of southwest monsoon generally strikes the Western Coast of India in Kerala on 1st June. It gives very heavy rainfall along the windward side of as these winds are unable to cross over the Western Ghats.

● This rainfall is called orographic or relief rainfall. ● The lying in the of the Western Ghats receives very little rainfall, e.g., Mumbai situated on the western side of the Western Ghats receives heavy rainfall (more than 200 cm) whereas Pune only a little distance away, receives little rainfall. ● The duration and amount of rainfall goes on decreasing as the Arabian Sea branch moves northward.

The Arabian Sea branch gives little rainfall to Rajasthan due to the following reasons:

● The southwest monsoon winds run parallel to the Aravalis. They do not give rainfall in Rajasthan as they do not get any obstruction from the Aravalis. ● The moisture laden winds passing over Rajasthan do not give much rainfall because the heat in the desert increases their capacity to hold moisture. Hence, they do not shed any moisture in Rajasthan. ● The Arabian Sea branch gets exhausted by the time it sheds its remaining Punjab and moisture there.

(ii) The Bay of Bengal branch: The Bay of Bengal branch of southwest monsoon advances towards northeast after picking moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

● The Bay of Bengal branch proceeds towards a low pressure area in Myanmar, while a part of it is intercepted by northeast Himalayas including the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills. ● Mawsynram, 16 km west of , gets the heaviest annual rainfall in the world (1187.3 cm). This is relief rainfall. , on the other hand, lying in the rain shadow area of , gets little rainfall. ● The remaining portion of the Bay of Bengal branch is deflected towards the west along the Himalayas, as they cannot cross over the Himalayas. However, the rainfall goes on decreasing as it proceeds along the Gangetic . ● The current finally merges with the Arabian Sea branch and sheds remaining moisture at the foothills of Himalayas. ● On its way, along the Himalayas, the Bay of Bengal branch gives rainfall to West Bengal, Indo-Gangetic plain, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

(C)The season of retreating southwest monsoon (October-November) :

The retreating southwest monsoon signifies the withdrawal of monsoon from India. . ● By 23rd September, high pressure begins to build over the mainland with low pressure over the sea. The southwest monsoon begins to withdraw from the mainland of India. ● Since the southwest monsoon winds are permanent winds they withdraw along the same path from which they came. They blow from northeast to southwest. ● On their withdrawal in October and November, the retreating monsoons pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and give maximum rainfall to .

(d) The cold season or the season of the northeast monsoon (December - February)

● The cold weather season commences at the end of November and continues till February. Clear sky, pleasant weather, low temperature and humidity, high range of temperature and slow northern winds are the chief characteristics of this season.

1. Temperature conditions

(i) The temperatures in this season are generally low and decrease from south towards north. The mean temperature in the north is below 20°C and much lower in Himachal Pradesh, and Kashmir. The night temperature falls below freezing point in the hilly areas where snowfall is common.

(ii)Southern India, south of the Tropic of Cancer, remains warm with average temperature ​ recorded at 31°C. Coastal regions' average temperatures remain 21°C throughout the year. ranging from 21°C to 25°C. January

2.Pressure conditions and wind direction

● Because of the apparent migration of the sun towards the south, shining directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, Indian subcontinent receives oblique rays of the sun during winter. As a result, high pressure builds up on the land with low pressure centred on the water bodies surrounding the peninsula. ● As such offshore winds start blowing towards the low pressure areas in the Bay of Bengal from northeast to southwest. These winds are called North East Monsoon.

Rainfall during winter

(i) in Tamil Nadu - During winter the dry offshore northeast monsoon ​ winds blow from high pressure to low pressure. As they cross the Bay of Bengal, they gather enough moisture. As they strike the Coromandel coast in eastern India, they give heavy rainfall to and Tamil Nadu accompanied by stormy winds. They cause heavy damage to crops and means of transport. The rainfall is highest at Nagapattinam nearly 100 cm.

(ii) Winter rainfall in Northwest India - winter, northwest India including Punjab, and Haryana, get light rainfall (10-15 cm) from the westerly depressions originating in Mediterranean Sea. This rainfall is good for wheat crops.

● Winter rainfall is good for the rabi crop in northwest India and for rice in Tamil Nadu. Hence, it is of great economic importance for the country. ● The cold weather season in the country is generally marked by fine cool weather, low humidity and large variations in temperature.

Distribution of Rainfall

Areas with over 200 cm of rain

North of Tropic of Cancer- (i) Areas: (i) Southern slopes of eastern Himalayas ​ ​ (ii) The Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and Lushai hills commonly known as the Assam hills. (iii) States: Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Bangladesh and . ​ ​

Note: Mawsynram, situated 16 km from Cherrapunji in Meghalaya state, receives the highest annual rainfall in the world (1187.3 cm).

South of Tropic of Cancer (i) Areas : Western slopes of the Western Ghats or windward side of the Western Ghats comprising and Malabar coast. (ii) States: of Kerala, , and . ​

Areas with 100-200 cm rainfall

(a) In the North Areas: Middle Ganga Valley ​ States: , West Bengal and ​

(b) In the South Areas: Northern part of Andhra Pradesh and southern parts of Tamil Nadu. Parts of Western ​ Ghats and eastern Maharashtra. States: Madhya Pradesh and . ​

Areas with 50–100 cm rainfall

(c) In the North Areas: Upper Ganga Valley, eastern Rajasthan States: Parts of Punjab, Haryana and Kashmir with very short rainy seasons.

(d) In the South Areas: Southern Deccan comprising the plateau regions of Karnataka. ​ States: Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ​

Areas with less than 50 cm rainfall

In the North Areas: Western Rajasthan, southern Punjab and northernmost part of Kashmir.

In the South Areas: Regions of the Deccan in the rain shadow of Western Ghats.

On the whole, annual rainfall decreases north and westward in northern parts of the subcontinent. peninsular India, the rainfall decreases towards the interior.

5. FOREST RESOURCES OF INDIA FLORA

Introduction The is one of the richest in the world due to a wide range of climate, topography and environment in the country. ● There are over 10,000 species of flowering plants in India which account for 6 per cent of the total plant species in the world.

● Forests are our renewable resources and help in maintaining ecological balance. They reduce pollution, maintain humidity, purify air and are a source of timber, fruits, flowers and fuel. ● According to State of Forest Report 2017, the total forest cover of the country is 21.53 per cent of the total geographical area of the country ● A national policy has laid down a target of raising to be 333 Covered by forests in India chortcent, i.e. about one third of the total area .

Unfortunately due to unprecedented growth in population rate, much of our natural vegetation cover has been removed for the purpose of cultivation to feed the millions.

6.TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION IN INDIA The natural vegetation of India can be classified into the following categories: (a) Forests based on variation of rainfall ​ (i) Tropical evergreen forests or tropical rainforests (ii) Deciduous monsoon forests (iii) Desert vegetation or thorny forests

(b) Forests based on variation of relief (i) Mountain forests or mixed forests

(ii) Mangrove or tidal or littoral forests

(a) Forests based on variation of rainfall

(i) Tropical evergreen forest or tropical rainforests

● Tropical rainforests, as the name indicates, are found where the annual temperature is 25°C to 27°C. They occur where rainfall is more than 200 cm. ● Area/states: Tropical evergreen forests are found on western parts of Western Ghats, (parts of Maharashtra), Karnataka and Kerala, the eastern Himalayas ( ) and – Lushai, Khasi, Jayantia and Garo known as Assam hills, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Generally, they are found on the altitude ranging from 500 m to 1500 m on the windward or western side of Western Ghats.

Characteristics:

● As they are found in the areas of heavy rainfall, they are also known as rainforests. ● The thick ground cover of forests is characterised by climbers and epiphytes. Bamboo and ferns are also common. ● These trees do not shed their leaves at the same time. Hence, they are called evergreen. Evergreen forests have not been properly exploited due to dense undergrowth and lack of transport facilities. (See Fig. 9.6)

Species ● Rosewood tree ● Sisam ● Gurjan

Other species are toon, bamboo, jamun, canes, etc.

(ii) Deciduous monsoon forests The deciduous forests are found in the areas of average temperature of about 27°C. These forests occur in the areas of average rainfall between 150 to 200 cm.

Areas/states: Deciduous forests are found in the belt running along the Western Ghats, surrounding the belt of Evergreen forests, both on eastern and western slopes. Another belt of deciduous forests run along the Shivalik range and Chotanagpur plateau. These forests are bun PR Che following states - Bihar, UP, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, , , , Assam and parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Characteristics:

● These forests shed their leaves for about 6-8 weeks during the spring and early summer during march/April, when sufficient moisture for leaves is not available. The subsoil water is not enough for the trees to retain their leaves. By April/May the deciduous trees look almost bare. Forests of north temperate zone shed their leaves in autumn ● These are most important economically as they yield valuable timber and several other forest products. ● They occupy much larger area than the evergreen forests. ● Species: The main species of deciduous forests were Sal, , Mahua, Khair, Palas, Mango, Neem, jackfruit, Semul and Myrobalan. ● Tea ● Sandalwood ● Myrobalan ● Sal ● Semul Other trees found in this type of forest are Badam, Amla, Laurel and Chicory. These forests are easily accessible. Large areas have been cleared for cultivation

(iii) Desert vegetation

Desert and semi-desert vegetation is found in the average temperature of 25°C to 27°C and with a rainfall of less than 25 cm.

Areas/States: Desert and semi-desert type of vegetation is found in Kutch, Saurashtra, southwest Punjab, Rajasthan and dry parts of the Deccan.

Characteristics:

● The plants that grow in this type of vegetation are called xerophytes, i.e. they either have very thin leaves or no leaves. sharp spines (thorns). ● They have long roots to draw water as the ● Their stems and leaves are often covered by rainfall and are very scarce.

Species: This type of vegetation mainly consists of babul (acacia-arabica). ​

Other species found here are cacti or cactus which are of little use.

(b) Forests based on variation of relief

(i) Mountain forests (mixed forests -based small on relief) or Alpine vegetation

Climate : These forests are found in the areas of average temperature less than 20°C or in cool areas at an altitude of 1500 m to 3300 m. They occur in the areas getting rainfall between 150 to 250 cm.

Areas/states : In the north, they occur in the temperate zone of the Himalayas, from Kashmir ​ to Assam at varying altitude. In the south, they are found in Nilgiri and Anamalai Hills at an elevation between 1000 m to 1500 m.

Characteristics : The vegetation consists of mixed Deciduous and Coniferous forests with ​ ​ varying relief and rainfall as it occurs in the transition zone of the two. Species : Spruce and cedar are found in the north and eucalyptus are found in the Nilgiri. They form fairly open forests with shrubby undergrowth, including oaks, laurel, and bamboo. poplar, birch, walnuts ané elm are also common.

(ii) The Mangrove or Tidal or Littoral forests (littoral meaning on-shore)

Climate: The tidal forests occur in and around deltas with average temperature of about 26°C to 29°C and very heavy rainfall (more than 200 cm).

Location: The tidal forests occur in and around the delta regions, estuaries and creeks and are prone to tidal influence. Found in areas flooded by tides, these types of trees can survive in fresh and brackish water. Areas/states: Tidal forests occupy a large area, about 21,000 sq km in the Sunderban delta and along the eastern coast, Mahanadi delta, Godavari, Krishna and in . They are also found in the western region.

Characteristics: ● Mangrove vegetation is characterised by breathing roots or pneumatophores which act as respiratory organs. ● Its stilt-like roots remain submerged underwater but can be seen at low tide. This tangled mass of root helps the plant to survive.

Species- ● Sundari trees are very important in this area. ● Sunderban delta has been named after it. ● Its wood is very hard, strong and durable. ● It is used for boat building.

Other important species are Gurjan and Hintal, which provide fuel for households.

Forest products and their uses-

● They are the storehouse of timber for house making and furniture, fuel, fruits, herbs, honey, bamboo, canes and fibres.

● They provide employment to thousands of people . ● They are a source of income to the government. ● They provide raw material to many industries, e.g., paper. ● Many other products like beeswax, materials for dyeing and tanning, oil and lac are gifts of forests. ● They provide shelter for wildlife and a sanctuary to birds. Forests help in maintaining ecological balance. ● Forests prevent soil erosion as the roots of the trees hold the soil together. They also prevent floods. ● Forests provide clean ironment. Hence, it is advisable to have forests around the industries as the forests take in the and provide the surroundings with oxygen. ● Forests help to absorb much of the sun's insolation and also cause rain.

7. CONSERVATION OF FORESTS IN INDIA The latest reports of the National Remote Sensing agency (NRSA) indicate that the country is losing about million hectares of forest cover every year. This will be detrimental to our national interest. Hence the no need for conservation of forests. Forest resources of India are facing a serious threat from her own people. The has taken a serious view of this problem and as such has introduced a programme to protect, conserve and develop the forest area. This a called the Programme of Forest Conservation.

The measures taken under this programme are -

● Preventive act on destruction of forests . ● Various research programmes to prevent various diseases of trees and make the forests more productive and useful. ● Prevention of wildlife as many species have become extinct and many are on the verge of extinction. ● This is being done by promoting Biosphere reserve forests. ● To protect both trees and species, several forest regions have been declared Reserved forests in Rajasthan, Nilgiri, Cochin and Meghalaya. Under Biosphere reserve forests, Reserved forests cover about 400 lakh hectares, whereas protected forest area covers about 200 lakh hectares. ● Planting more trees for development of environmental forestry to maintain ecological balance. ● In various states and Union Territories, the Forest Development Corporation has been established for taking care of forest products and developing new forest resources. ● To protect the forests from fire, a strip of land between the two sections of forest is cleared to prevent the spread of fire. This is called the fire line. ● Owing forest reserves, especially the flora and fauna, prevent this practice.

● It is very important that they realize the significance of forests in their Dan interest. The public at large should be properly educated Under severe threat of extinction . ● To get a sustained yield or timber, silviculture is being practised. Silviculture means timber farming, i.e. the preparation of the soil to grow trees at the same time so that all the trees mature together and make clear cutting possible. ● Foresters use the latest genetic information to have improved growth rate and greater resistance to pests and diseases.This would stop the indiscriminate cutting of the trees for timber trade.

8. INDIA-WILDLIFE a. Like its flora, India is also rich in its fauna. It has more than 89,000 animal species. The country has more than 1,200 species of birds. They constitute 13 per cent of the world's total. There are 2,500 species of fish, which account for early 12 per cent of the world's stock. It also shares between 5 and 8 percent of the world's amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

2.The elephants are the most majestic animals among the mammals. They are found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka and Kerala. One-horned rhinoceroses are the other animals, which live in swampy and marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal. Arid areas of the Rann of Kachchh and the Thar desert are the habitat for wild ass and camels respectively.

3. India is the only country in the world that has both tigers and lions. The natural habitat of the Indian lion is the Gir forest in . Tigers are found in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, the of West Bengal and the Himalayan region. Leopards too are members of the cat family. They are important among the animals of prey. is found only in Gir forests.

4.The Himalayas harbour a hardy range of animals, which survive in extreme cold. 's freezing high altitudes are a home to yak, the shaggy horned wild ox weighing around one ton, the Tibetan antelope, the bharal (blue sheep), wild sheep and the kiang (Tibetan wild ass). Furthermore, bear, snow- leopard and very rare red panda are found in certain pockets.

5.In the rivers, likes and coastal areas, turtles, crocodiles and gharials are found.

6.Bird life in India is colourful. Peacocks, peasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes and pigeons are some of the birds inhabiting the forests and wetlands of the country.

9. CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE

Due to excessive exploitation of the plants and animal resources by human beings the has been disturbed. About 1,300 plant species are endangered and 20 species are extinct. Quite a few animal species are also endangered and some have become extinct.

The main cause for this major threat to nature is hunting by greedy hunters for commercial purposes. Pollution due to chemical and industrial waste, acid deposits, reckless cutting of forests to bring land under cultivation and inhabitation are also responsible for the imbalance in our ecosystem.

To protect the flora and fauna, several steps have been taken by the government. They are as follows:

(a) Legal protection act has been provided to wild animals against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

(b) Financial and technical assistance is provided to the state government under the sponsored schemes of integrated development of Wildlife habitats, like Project Tiger and for providing better protection.

(c)The government has set up a number of National Parks (103) Wildlife Sanctuaries and Bird Sanctuaries (535) and Biosphere Reserves (18) to preserve and protect wildlife.

(1) A National park is a large area where several exist freely. They are not ​ ​ disturbed by human exploitation and occupation. is a reserved area meant for preserving natural vegetation, wildlife and natural beauty. No deforestation or commercialisation of plants is allowed. Here the plant and animal species, geomorphologic sites and habitats for special scientific education and recreation are preserved.

(2) A wildlife sanctuary is almost like a national park and special care is taken of the endangered species.

(3)Project Tiger was launched by Kailash Sankhala in India on 1st April, 1973. It has become one of the most successful conservation ventures in modern history.

The objectives of Project Tiger :

(a) The Project Tiger aims at ensuring a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats. (b) It aims at elimination of all forms of human exploitation and biotic disturbance from the core area. (C) It aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted tiger reserves which are geographical regions falling within India.

Today there are 50 Project Tiger wildlife reserves in India. Many projects like Project Rhino, Project projects have been launched by the government.

(iv) Biosphere Reserves in India

Protection of the animals and plants is among the important challenges that are being faced by mankind. The 21st century must emerge as an age of conservation and protection if human beings want to survive on Earth. Biosphere reserves happen to be protected regions of the terrestrial, marine and coastal environments for the conservation of the diversity of species of plants and animals.

● The Biosphere Reserves in India have been established for the conservation of the natural habitats of plants and animals such as national parks and sanctuaries. ● The Government of India has identified 18 biosphere reserves in the country, with the aim to promote a balanced relationship between the biosphere and humans. ● Further, the reserves also aim at conserving all forms of life and also supervising and evaluating the changes in the ecosystems.

10. ENDANGERED SPECIES

(a) Endangered species of plants and animals are those which are so rare that it is likely that they will soon become extinct. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a watch on the number of animals and publishes a Red Data Book with details of the rarest animals and plants.

(b) The exploitation of land and forest resources by humans along with hunting and trapping for food and sport has led to the extinction of many species in India in recent times. These species include mammals such as the Indian/Asiatic Cheetah, Wild Zebu, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros.

(c) Some species of birds have gone extinct in recent times, including the Pink-headed Duck and the Himalayan Quail. A species of warbler, in Himachal Pradesh was rediscovered after 139 in Thailand

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF INDIAN MONSOON

1. Most of the country gets rainfall from the south-west monsoon. 2. It is unevenly distributed. 3. It is erratic and unpredictable. 4. It is orographic in nature: 5. India's economy depends on the intensity of the monsoon. All the hydroelectric projects, agriculture, perennial and non-perennial rivers of north and south, wells, lakes, irrigation etc. depend on monsoon.

PART II ACTIVITY

1.LEARN THE FOLLOWING TERMS :

1. Monsoon : Rainy season 2. Western Disturbances : Depressions originating in Mediterranean Sea that give rain to northwest India during winter. 3. : Cyclonic storms caused by low pressure, mostly in the Bay of Bengal, during summer Orographic rainfall : Relief rainfall caused due to the obstruction by the mountains or highlands to the bearing winds. 4. Flora : Plants of an area. Fauna : The animals of a particular region. 5. Fauna : The animals of a particular region,

2. On an outline map of India mark and name the following:

(i) Direction of Southwest monsoon winds (ii)Direction of Northeast monsoon winds (iii) Retreating monsoon winds (iv)Area of Tropical Evergreen Forests (v) Tropical Deciduous Forests

PART III QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1. Give reasons for the following:

1. The Himalayas act as a barrier for India. 2. Mumbai experiences less range of temperature as compared to Agra. 3. Northwest India receives rainfall in winter. 4. Chennai has more rainy months but receives less rainfall than Mangalore. 5. in Rajasthan receives very low rainfall from southwest monsoon.

2. Answer the following questions in brief : ​

(i) Name the four seasons of India. (ii) State any two characteristics of southwest monsoon. (iii) What are the characteristic features of the hot season? Give any two features of the hot season. (iv)Differentiate between a National Park and a Sanctuary. (v) Why is it necessary to conserve forests?