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1. In deciduous forests, trees shed their leaves on specific time. All the trees do not shed leaves together.

2. The trees shed leaves for only 6 to 8 weeks during autumn.

3. Since these trees shed their leaves according to seasons, these are also called monsoon forests.

Flora. The vegetation or plant kingdom of an area is called flora. It consists of forests, grasslands, flowering and non-flowering trees.
Fauna. The animal kingdom of an area is called fauna. In includes birds, fish, animals, insects, etc.

(c) Khejari Devi

The Monsoon forests are also known as the Deciduous forests because they shed their leaves in summers.

(d) Monsoon forests

Correct Answer is: (c) Nagpur

Here a long type of grass-Sarkanda is available.

C. Teak, Saal, Sesame, Sandalwood

North Eastern States, Western Ghats, Odisha, few parts of Chhattisgarh.

In those areas which experience less than 70 cm. of annual rainfall.

To cure constipation and diarrhoea.

1. Indian Board for wildlife was made in 1952 whose major function is to give advice govt, for wildlife protection to encourage the people for wildlife protection and to create new wildlife habitats.

2. In 1972, wildlife protection Act was made to protect the animals which are on the verge of becoming extinct.

3. Many Biosphere Reserves were made to protect the diversity of wildlife. Till now 18 Biosphere Reserves have been made.

4. To protect and care wildlife in the country, 103 national parks and 544 wildlife sanctuaries have been made where poaching is delcared illegal.

All such wild animal, birds and reptiles which live in their natural habitat i. e. forests are known as wildlife. India experiences many climatic conditions and have many types of soil and that’s why it has many natural habitats. This is the reason it has variety of wildlife. More than 89,000 species of animals live in India which is 6.5% of the total animal species of the world. In the same way India has 2000 species of birds, 2546 species of fish, 458 types of reptiles.

In 1952 to make people conscious about the protection of wildlife.

1. 103, 544

2. Amla

3. Jamun

4. Neem

5. Geosphere, hydrosphere

6. Ecosystem.

22.7% of land area is covered with forests in India.

Mahagony, Rosewood, Ebony, Rubber, Cinchona, Bamboo etc.

The major differences between Flora and Fauna are as follows:

The relief and rainfall of any region determine the natural vegetation of that place. In Indian sub-continent it can be seen through the following points: 

1. The western slopes of the Western Ghats receive more than 200 cm of rainfall. Due to heavy rainfall, tropical evergreen forests are found in this region on a large scale. 

2. Indifferent mountainous regions different types of vegetation are found, at the height of 1500 to 3000 coniferous trees are found but at the height of 1000 to 2000 wet temperate forests are found. 

3. In areas with rainfall of 70 cm to 100 cm and in semi-arid regions, the vegetation consists of acacias and palm.

The Simlipal Biosphere reserve located in Orissa.

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Four-biosphere reserves of India, which have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves are:- 

(i) The Sunderbans in the West Bengal 

(ii) Nanda Devi in Uttranchal 

(iii) The Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu 

(iv) Nilgiris of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

1. (C)

2. (D)

3. (A)

4. (B)

Monsoon forests are found in Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, U.P., Uttranchal and Punjab.

Mangrove tidal forests are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides.The deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Krishana, the Godavari and the Kaveri are covered by such vegetation. In the Ganga- Brahamaputra delta, sundari trees are found, which provide durable hard timber. Palm, coconut, keora, agar, also grow in some parts of the delta. Contd.. 

• In regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall, the natural vegetation consists of thorny trees and bushes. This type of vegetation is found in the north-western part of the country including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. 

• Acacias, palms, euphorbia and cacti are the main plant species. Trees are scattered and have long roots penetrating deep into the soil in order to get moisture. 

• The stems are succulent to conserve water. Leaves are mostly thick and small to minimize evaporation. 

• These forests give way to thorn forests and scrubs in arid areas. 

• The common animals are rats, mice, rabbits, fox, wolf, tiger, lion, wild ass, horses and camels. 

Royal Bengal Tiger is the famous animal in these forests. Turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes are also found in these forests. 

• The main causes for this major threat to nature are hunting by greedy hunters for commercial purposes. 
• Pollution due to chemical and industrial waste, acid deposits, introduction of alien species. 
• Reckless cutting of the forests to bring land under cultivation. 
• Inhabitation is also responsible for the imbalance. 

Animals that are at the verge of extinction are called endangered species. Rhinoceros, Indian bustard and tigers are some examples of endangered species of animals. 

Sedimentary rocks are found in Northern plains and igneous rocks are found in Indian plateau. Their composition is different and different types of soils are formed. The colour, texture and composition of soil depends upon the time factor the rocks have suffered a type of climate. In West Bengal, Bacteria help in the formation of soils. But in Rajasthan, the fertility of soil decreases due to absence of vegetation. In areas of heavy rainfall and strong winds, soil erosion is active. So the fertility decreases.

Iron and aluminium elements are found in large quantity in laterite soils.

1. Alluvial soils are deposited by rivers.
2. These soils are limited to river basins and plains.
3. These are very fertile soils.
4. These consist of fine grained clay and sand.
5. These soils are rich in potash, but poor in phosphorus.
6. These are generally deep soils.

Peat soils cover an area of 1500 sq. km. It is found in Sundar Bans, the coastal area of Orissa, coastal areas of South Tamil Nadu, Central Bihar, Almora in Uttranchal. It is black and acidic. It is called Black soil in Kerala. Sometimes it takes the form of blue soils due to excess of bacteria.

Water Hyacinth plant is called. Terror of Bengal.

In Sunderbans are Royal Bengal Tigers found.

The species of deer found in India are Black Deer, Chikara, Ordinary Deer and four horn deer are main species.

Red soils are formed as a result of wide diffusion of iron in the rocks.

Characteristics of Red Soils: These soils are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and areas on periphery of Deccan Plateau. These soils have been formed due to the decomposition of underlying igneous rocks. The red colour of these soils is due to oxidation and diffusion of iron in hard crystalline rocks. These are given to the cultivation of millets, pulses, linseed, tobacco etc. These soils cover the largest area in Peninsular India. These soils are poor in lime, nitrogen and humus. Fertilizers are added to make these soils fertile.

Soil Erosion. Soil erosion is of two types:

Types of Soil Erosion:

1. Sheet Erosion: When the soil is washed away in thin layers by water or wind, it is called Sheet Erosion. Fine silt and clay is removed from the top soil.
2. Gully Erosion: It is done by running water by cutting channel. Gullies and ravines are formed by rapid run off. Badland is formed over clay soils in Chambal Valley.

Correct option is (a) Evergreen

Flood water seeps into the ground and decreases the flow of floods and control floods.

Dead leaves of trees mix with soil and become humus. It increases fertility.

Delta forests are found in coastal areas where Deltas are formed. Sundri is an important tree.

Nearly 40% of plant species found in India have come from outside and are called exotic plants. These plants have been brought from Sino-Tibetan, African and Indo – Malayasian areas. These plants were brought as decorative garden plants in India. These plants rapidly multiply so that it is difficult to eradicate these. These reduce the useful land cover. These prevent the growth of economic plants. These spread diseases and are a hazard to public health. Lantana and water hyacinth are two such species. Water hyacinth is known as “Terror of Bengal”. It has choked up all the water courses like rivers, streams, tanks, canals, etc.

The growth, types, and diversity in flora and fauna kingdom is due to the following factors:

1. Temperature
2. Sunlight
3. Precipitation
4. Soil
5. Relief

1. Temperature : The character and extent of vegetation are mainly determined by temperature along with humidity in the air, precipitation and soil. On the slopes of the Himalayas and the hills of the peninsula above the height of 915 metere, the fall in the temperature affects the types of vegetation and its growth, and changes it from tropical to subtropical temperature and alpine.

2. Sunlight: The variation in sun’s radiant energy at different places is due to the difference in latitude, season and duration of the day. Due to long duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in summer.

3. Precipitation: Almost the entire rainfall occurs by the advancing south-west monsoon (June to Sept.) and retreating north-east monsoons. Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared to other areas.

4. Soil: Changes in soil conditions have given rise to peculiar types of vegetation in many areas such as mangrove forests swamps and sandy coastal forests.

5. Relief: It is another important factor affecting vegetation. Plains, plateaus and mountains have different types of vegetation.

Increasing human and animal population has adverse impact on natural vegetation. Areas which were once covered with forests, have now become semi-desert. Even Rajasthan has forests. Forests are essential for ecological balance which in turn is essential for human survival and development. For balanced ecology and healthy environment, at least one third of the land of India must be kept under forest. Unfortunately we do not have even one fourth of the total area under forest. The need for a policy for conservation and management of forest resources, therefore, demands no emphasis.

Soil Erosion: It is the destruction and removal of top soil by running water, wind, etc. Soil erosion has become a serious problem in many areas. Soil formation is a slow process and takes thousands of years to develop soil, but it may be removed in a matter of a few years. Soil erosion results from the following causes ;

Causes of Soil Erosion:

1. Steep Slopes: Steep slopes affect the rapidity of running water on steep slopes, and the intensity of soil erosion increases.
2. Torrential Rainfall: Heavy rainfall lessens the soil particles and scoops out the soil-forming gullies and ravines. This gives rise to a dissected surface called badland as in the Chambal valley of India.
3. Strong Winds: Winds and dust storms blow away soil in dry areas. This process is known as deflation.
4. Over-grazing: Due to over-grazing, the vegetation becomes too thin to protect the soil. Rain and wind can easily erode the loose soil.
5. Over-cropping: Crop rotation maintains soil fertility. But over-cropping and shifting cultivation render soil infertile.
6. Deforestation: Deforestation means the removal of forest cover and it exposes the area of soil erosion. Reckless cutting of trees has resulted in soil erosion by chos along the Shiwalik hills. Human misuse of the land through wrong farming practices, deforestation etc. leads to the removal of soil cover.

Correct option is (c) Assam

A new National Forest Policy was adopted in 1988 to stop the further decrease in the forest cover:

1. The policy aimed at bringing 33 percent of India’s landmass under forest cover. The world coverage was 27 percent, and India’s own coverage at that time was only 19 percent.
2. The policy further stated that efforts would be made to maintain environmental stability and to restore forests where ecological balance was disturbed.
3. The other objective was to conserve the natural heritage of the country, its biological diversity and genetic pool.
4. The policy further aimed to check soil erosion, an extension of the desert lands and reduction of floods and droughts.
5. Other objectives of the policy were to increase the forest cover through social forestry and afforestation denuded and unproductive land, increase in productivity of forests to make timber, fuel, fodder and food available to rural and tribal populations dependent on forests and encourage the substitution of wood.
6. Lastly it emphasized the creation of a massive people movement involving women to encourage planting of trees and stop felling of trees.

Lion is our national animal and peacock is our national bird.

Royal Bengal Tiger