Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Natural vegetation and wildlife of India for UPSC: forest types, rainfall ranges, characteristic trees, mangroves, forest cover and conservation.
SyllabusGS I · Changes in critical geographical features and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes; physical geography of India
Natural vegetation is the plant cover that has grown without direct human help and adjusted to its climate and soil. In India, rainfall is the master control: as it falls from more than 200 cm to less than 50 cm, evergreen forests give way to deciduous forests, then to thorn scrub.
What UPSC asks
- Prelims: which forest type grows where, its rainfall range and characteristic trees; mangroves and shola forests; biodiversity hotspots; flagship conservation projects and Acts. Questions often pair a tree with its forest type or a region with its vegetation.
- Mains (GS I and GS III): the effect of changes in flora and fauna, deforestation and forest degradation, forest policy, and the balance between conservation and livelihoods.
Key sub-topics
| Sub-topic | Core idea |
|---|---|
| Factors | Rainfall, temperature, relief, soil, photoperiod |
| Forest types | Tropical evergreen, deciduous, thorn, montane, littoral and swamp |
| Forest cover | India State of Forest Report; National Forest Policy target |
| Wildlife | Biodiversity hotspots, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Project Tiger, Project Elephant |
The legal and protected-area side is covered in depth in Protected Areas and Wildlife. Start here with Forest Types of India, then use the quick revision sheet and practice questions.