India- Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

Climate

Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a given area over an averaged period of 30 years. Different parts of the world experience different seasons and temperatures. Some parts of the globe are cold and snow-covered nearly every day. They have a polar climate. On the other hand, some parts are hot and rainy. They have a tropical wet climate. In between the steamy hot tropics and the icy poles are many other different types of climates that contribute to Earth’s geologic heritage and biodiversity.

India experiences a variety of climates ranging from alpine to tropical. For the most part, the country experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. Himalayas in the north and the Thar Desert in the northwest particularly influences India’s climate.

Seasons of India: 

• Winter season (December to February): During this season in India, the nights are longer and days are smaller. The sun rays hit straight on the Southern Hemisphere. The hilly areas of the north like Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh experience heavy snowfall and record the lowest temperature. The average temperature varies from 15 to 25°C across India
• Summer season (March to May): During this season in India, the sun rays fall perpendicularly over the lands. The days are longer than nights.  Summer is the hottest season in India and scorches almost all parts of the country with hot winds. The average temperature varies from 30 to 40°C across India. In places like Rajasthan the temperature even shoots up to 45°C
• Monsoon season (June to September): This season arrives in India after the tyrannical heat of the summer. The moist air blows from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the southwest direction bringing torrential rainfall to the area. India depends heavily on the monsoon for agriculture. The Western Ghats, Himachal Pradesh and other northeastern regions of India experience heavy rainfall (100-200 cm), while Thar desert of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and some places of north India experiences low rainfall (< 50 cm)
• Autumn season (Oct and Nov): This season arrives in India after the monsoon season and before the winter season. During this period, winds move back from the central area to the Bay of Bengal. It is the best season as it’s neither too cold nor too hot. It is also known as fall season because the trees shed their leaves during this season. The southern parts of India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, experience the most  precipitation during this season

Factors affecting climates:

Following are the factors affecting the climatic condition.

1. Latitude: Due to the curved shape of the Earth, the amount of solar energy received depends on latitude or how far or how close it is to the equator. The temperature of air generally declines from the equator towards the pole.
2. Wind: The wind of the area depends on the altitude and latitude of the place. It influences the temperature and rainfall pattern.
3. Ocean currents: Ocean currents often affect the coastal climate. They have two different temperatures. The cold currents cool the temperature above it, which inturn cools the coast. Likewise, the warm ocean currents heats up the air above it, which warms the coast. 
4. Elevation: When the air rises, the temperature becomes colder and drier.
5. Relief: When the air is forced to rise and goes over the mountain the temperature increases and condensation decreases, leading to precipitation.

Natural vegetation

• The grasses, bushes, and trees, which develop alone without obstruction or help from individuals, are called regular vegetation
• Because of fluctuating climatic conditions, India has a broad scope of typical vegetation

Significance of the forests:

• Woodlands are the usual territory of untamed life
• Forests perform various essential functions such as providing oxygen, absorbing CO2, improving soil quality, controlling soil erosion, etc
• It also provides herbs, lac, honey, gum, fuel, fodder, shelter, raw material for various basic or primary industries and secondary industries
• It provides various medicinal plants for treatments, and the cultural significance of forests is very high

Wildlife

India is home to iconic and endangered wildlife like tiger, leopard and Asian elephant. Bengal tiger is India’s national animal. The country boasts more than hundred national parks which covers nearly 15,600 sq miles of protected land.

Key features of wildlife in India:

1. According to the wildlife Institute of India, the country is home to around 2,226 tigers, of which 70% reside within tiger reserves.
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Keoladeo National Park are some of the superlative spots to experience wildlife watching in India.
3. India is also home to around 6.2% of reptiles, 12.6% of birds, and 7.6% mammals of the world.
4. Some of the iconic animals are Asiatic Lions, Bengal tigers, Asian Elephants, the Great Indian Rhinoceros, Clouded leopards, the Dhole which is an Indian wild dog and many more.

Conclusion

Climate is about everyday changes in the air. It remembers changes in temperature, precipitation, daylight etc. The environment of India has extensively been portrayed as a Monsoon type. Weather is a state of atmospheric Light temperature and precipitation at a particular point of time. In Winter season (Dec to Feb) the Sun rays do not fall directly in India during this season so the temperatures are low in India. In  Summer (March to May) the Sunbeams directly fall around here on earth and Temperature turns out to be extremely high. Rainy Season (June to September) is marked by the onset and advance of the monsoon. The breeze flows from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal towards the land. In Autumn Season (Oct and Nov) winds move back from the central area to the Bay of Bengal. The southern bits of India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, get precipitation in this season. When a plant grows naturally without any human assistance and humans do not interrupt it  for a long time then it is called Natural vegetation.) Forests perform various essential functions such as providing oxygen, absorbing CO2, improving soil quality, controlling soil erosion, etc.