Key Points

Natural vegetation is a plant community that grows naturally without human interference. The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region or period, distinguishing them from fauna, which refers to animal species.

Vegetation left undisturbed for a long time is called virgin vegetation. Plant species that are purely Indian are known as endemic or indigenous, while those from outside India are termed exotic plants.

India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries, with about 47,000 plant species (tenth in the world) and 90,000 animal species. It has about 15,000 flowering plants, accounting for 6% of the world's total.

India's major vegetation types are: (i) Tropical Evergreen Forests, (ii) Tropical Deciduous Forests, (iii) Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs, (iv) Montane Forests, and (v) Mangrove Forests.

Found in areas with over $200$ cm of rainfall, like the Western Ghats. These forests are multi-layered with no definite time for trees to shed leaves, so they appear green year-round. Key trees include ebony, mahogany, and rubber.

These are the most widespread forests in India, also known as monsoon forests, found in regions with rainfall between $70$ cm and $200$ cm. Trees shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in the dry summer. Teak, sal, and bamboo are important species.

Occur in regions with less than $70$ cm of rainfall. Plants like acacias and cacti have long roots, succulent stems, and small leaves to conserve water. This vegetation is found in semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

Vegetation changes with altitude in mountainous areas. Wet temperate forests with oaks and chestnuts are found between $1000$ and $2000$ meters, while coniferous trees like pine and deodar are found between $1500$ and $3000$ meters. Above $3600$ meters, Alpine vegetation like junipers and birches is found.

Found in coastal areas influenced by tides, where mud and silt accumulate. These forests have plants with roots submerged in water. The deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, and Godavari are covered by such vegetation, with Sundari trees being prominent in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.

India has a rich variety of animal life, including approximately 90,000 animal species, 2,000 bird species, and 2,546 fish species. It is the only country with both tigers and lions in their natural habitats.

Elephants are found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka, and Kerala. One-horned rhinoceroses live in Assam and West Bengal. The Gir forest in Gujarat is the natural habitat of the Asiatic lion, while tigers are found in Madhya Pradesh and the Sundarbans.

The Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in India in 1972. It provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, management of their habitats, and regulation of trade in wild animal products.

Major threats to nature include hunting and poaching for commercial purposes, pollution from chemical and industrial waste, deforestation for agriculture and habitation, and the introduction of alien species.

The government has taken several steps to protect flora and fauna. These include setting up 18 biosphere reserves, providing financial and technical assistance to botanical gardens, and launching eco-developmental projects like Project Tiger and Project Rhino.

Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems that are internationally recognized. India has 18 such reserves, including the Sundarbans, Nilgiri, and Nanda Devi, to conserve biodiversity.