Here is the clear and easy-to-understand notes from Class 6 NCERT Geography – Chapter 8: India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

Weather

  • Weather is about day to day changes in the atmosphere.
  • It includes changes in temperature, rainfall and sunshine etc.

Main seasons:

  • Cold Weather Season (Winter) – December to February
      • The sunrays do not fall directly in the region.
      • Temperature are quite low in northern India.
  • Hot Weather Season (Summer) – March to May
      • The sunrays more or less directly fall in this region.
      • Temperature becomes very high.
      • High and dry blows during the day, is called loo.
  • Southwest Monsoon Season (Rainy) – June to September
      • This season is marked by the onset and advance of monsoon.
      • The winds blow from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal towards the land.
      • They carry moisture with them.
      • When these winds strike the mountain barriers, rainfall occurs.
  • Season of Retreating Monsoon  (Autumn)– October to November
    • Winds move back from the mainland to the Bay of Bengal.
    • The southern part of India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh receive rainfall in this season.

Climate

  • The average weather condition of a place over a long period of time.
  • The climate of India is described as Monsoon type
 Monsoon
  • Monsoon is taken from the Arabic word ‘mausim’, which means seasons.
  • India receives most of its rainfall from monsoon winds.
  • It is a seasonal wind.
  • Very important for agriculture.

Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the world’s highest rainfall.

Natural Vegetation

The grasses, shrubs and trees, which grow on their own without interference  or help from human beings are called Natural Vegetation.

 Factors Affecting Vegetation:

  • Temperature
  • Rainfall
  • Soil type

Why are forests necessary?

  • Plant release oxygen the we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide.
  • They control soil erosion.
  • Forests provide us with timber for furniture, fuel wood, fodder, medicinal plant and herbs, lac, honey, gum, etc.
  • Forests are the natural habitat of wild life.

Wild life

  • 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.
  • Tiger is our national animal.
  • 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 Rann of Kuchchh respectively.
  • Wild oats, snow leopards, bears are found in the Himalayan region.
  • The peacock is our national bird.
  • Other common bird are parrot, pigeon, mynah, geese, bulbul and ducks.
  • There are several bird sanctuaries which have been created to give birds their natural habitat.
  • There are several hundreds of species of snakes found in India. Cobra and Kraits are important among them.
Reason for the decline of wild life
  • Deforestation
  • Hunting
Preservation
  • Many national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves have been set up.
  • The Government of India has also started Project Tiger and project Elephant to protect these animals.
  • We observe Wildlife week in the first week of October, to create awareness of conserving the habitats of the animal kingdom.
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