Topic outline

    • India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

      Q40. What do you mean by season of the retreating monsoons?

      Ans. Winds move back from the mainland to the Bay of Bengal. This is the season of the retreating monsoons. The southern parts of India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh receive rainfall in this season.

       

      Q41. Write a note on thorny bushes.

      Ans. This type of vegetation is found in dry areas of the country. The leaves are in the form of spines to reduce the loss of water. Cactus, khair, babool, keekar are important and are found in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Eastern slopes of Western Ghats and Gujarat.

       

      Q42. Name the different seasons in India.

      Ans. The major seasons in India are:

                              i.        Cold Weather Season (Winter) December to February

                             ii.        Hot Weather Season (Summer) March to May

                            iii.        Southwest Monsoon Season (Rainy) June to September

                            iv.        Season of Retreating Monsoon (Autumn) October and November



      Q43. Why are forests necessary?

      Ans. Forests are necessary due to the following reasons.

                              i.        Plants release oxygen that we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide.

                             ii.        The roots of the plants bind the soil; thus, they control soil erosion.

                            iii.        Forests provide us with timber for furniture, fuel wood, fodder, medicinal plants and herbs, lac, honey, gum, etc.

                            iv.        Forests are the natural habitat of wild life.

       

      Q44. Write a short note on cold weather season and hot weather season.

      Ans. Cold Weather Season (Winter)

      During the winter season, the sun rays do not fall directly in the region. As a result the temperatures are quite low in northern India.

      Hot Weather Season (Summer)

      In the hot weather season sun rays more or less directly fall in this region. Temperature becomes very high. Hot and dry winds called loo, blow during the day.



      Q45. Why do we experience regional differences in the climate of India? Explain.

      Ans. The climate of a place is affected by its location, altitude, distance from the sea, and relief. Therefore, we experience regional differences in the climate of India. Jaisalmer and Bikaner in the desert of Rajasthan are very hot, while Drass and Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir are freezing cold. Coastal places like Mumbai and Kolkata experience moderate climate. Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the world’s highest rainfall, while in a particular year it might not rain at all in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

       

      Q46. Write about wildlife of India.

      Ans. Forests are home to a variety of wild life. There are thousands of species of animals and a large variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, insects and worms which dwell in the forest. Gir forest in Gujarat is the home of Asiatic lions. Elephants and one-horned rhinoceroses roam in the forests of Assam. Elephants are also found in Kerala and Karnataka. Camels and wild asses are found in the Great Indian desert and the Rann of Kuchchh respectively. Wild goats, snow leopards, bears, etc. are found in the Himalayan region. Besides these, many other animals are found in our country such as monkey, wolf, jackal, nilgai, cheetal, etc. India is equally rich in bird life. This includes birds are parrots, pigeons, mynah, geese, bulbul and ducks.



      Q47. What is the difference between evergreen forest and deciduous forest?

      Ans. Difference between evergreen forest and deciduous forest

      Evergreen forest

      Deciduous forest

      1. Tropical Rain Forests occur in the areas which receive heavy rainfall.

      1. In a large part of our country we have this type of forest.

      2. They always appear green and are

      called evergreen forest

      2. These forests are also called monsoon forests.

      3. They are so dense that sunlight doesn’t reach the ground.

      3. They are less dense.

      4. They shed their leaves at different times of the year.

      4. They shed their leaves at a particular time of the year.

      5. Important trees found in these forests are mahogany, ebony and rosewood.

      5. Important trees found in these forests are sal, teak, peepal, neem and shisham.

      6. They are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, parts of North-Eastern states and a narrow strip of the Western slope of the Western Ghats

      6. They are found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,

      Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and in parts of Maharashtra.

       

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