Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India.

bution of forest types: Alpine in the Himalayas, Desert in Western India, Tropical thorn in the Northwest, Tropical Moist Deciduous in the Northeast and parts of central India, Tropical Dry Deciduous in the interior Peninsula, and Moist Tropical Evergreen along the Western Ghats] Fig showing distribution of forests in India

Characteristic features

(1) Alpine - grow on high altitude

• Fir, Pine, chir
• needle like leaves to conserve water (2) Moist tropical Evergreen
• in Western ghats (Windward side)
• green throughout the year
• dense canopy. (3) Tropical Moist Deciduous
• not evergreen
• more rains than desert
• Sal, etc trees grow here. (4) Tropical Dry Deciduous
• receive less rainfall than moist deciduous
• on leeward side of western ghats. (5) Desert type - in Thar desert
• thick cuticle in plants to save water
• Ex - Sangri, Kher, cactus etc.

Major causes of Deforestation (1) Growing population requires houses, offices etc. (2) Need for furniture leads to cutting of trees. (3) Forest Fires due to climate change also leads to large scale deforestation. (4) Need for fuel also causes deforestation. Ex- In Brazil, amazon rainforest are facing threat. (5) Unsustainable living. Ex- Paper requirement etc.

STEPS FOR CONSERVATION :-

(1) CAMPA funds should be used for afforestation. (2) Full fledged efforts to ensure environment triumphs over economy. (3) REDD+ membership should put onus on govt, NGOs & individuals to plant more trees. (4) World Environment Day should be used for promoting awareness.