Question

How much was the forest cover in India in 2001 natural vegetation zones mainly related to difference in relief and climatic conditions? Explain.

Answer 1

Natural Vegetation Zones are mainly related to difference in relief and climatic conditions.

(a) Tropical rain forests are located on the rainy slopes of Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar islands. They are best where rainfall is 200 cm or more with short dry season.

(b) Tropical deciduous forests are located where rainfall is 20070 cm on the eastern slopes of Western Ghats, West Orissa, Chhattisgarh.

(c) The Thorn forests and Shrubs are located where rainfall is less than 70 cm. This type of vegetation is found in Rajasthan, Haryana, M.P., Uttar Pradesh.

(d) Temperate forests with grasslands are found in mountainous regions. With decrease in temperature there is a succession of natural vegetation belts. Temperate forests are located between a height of 1000
2000 metres, e.g., oak, chestnuts etc, 1500-3000 metres coniferous forests, pine, deodar etc.

(e) Alpine Vegetation like Silver fir, Jumpers etc. found at 3,600 metres above sea-level. Above snowline, shrubs and Alpine grasslands are located.‘