NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 20 India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

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NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 20 India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

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Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 6 Social Science Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 20 India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife, NCERT Class 6 Social Science Textbook of Our Pasts – I: History, The Earth – Our Habitat: Geography, Social and political Life: Civics. for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

Chapter: 20

THE EARTH – OUR HABITAT [GEOGRAPHY]

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

Q. 1. Answer the following questions briefly: 

(a) Which winds bring rainfall in India? Why is it so important?

Ans. South-West Monsoon winds brings rainfall in India. These winds are important because the agriculture of whole country mainly depends upon this rainfall. 

(b) Name the different seasons in India.

Ans. The different seasons in India are: 

(1) Cold Weather Season (Winter) from December to February.

(2) Hot Weather Season (Summer) from March to May.

(3) South-West Monsoon Season (Rainy) from June to September. 

(4) Season of Retreating Monsoon (Autumn) from October and November.

(c) What is natural vegetation? 

Ans. The grasses, shrubs and trees, which grow on their own without interference of help from human beings is called natural vegetation.

(d) Name the different types of vegetation found in India.

Ans. The different types of vegetation found in India are:

(i) Tropical Rain Forests. 

(ii) Tropical Deciduous Forests.

(iii) Thorny Bushes.

(iv) Mountain Vegetation.

(v) Mangrove Forests.

(e) What is the difference between evergreen forest and deciduous forests?

Ans. Evergreen Forests:

(i) These forests are also called Tropical Rain Forests which receive heavy rainfall and high temperature. 

(ii) Many species of trees are found in these forests.

(iii) The trees of these forests do not shed their leaves in any season of the year.

(iv) Mahogany, Ebony, Bamboo and Rosewood are the major trees of these forests.

Deciduous Forests:

(i) These are also known as Monsoon forests. 

(ii) The trees of these forests shed their leaves at a particular time of the year.

(iii) Sal, Teak, Peepal, Neem and Shisham are the major trees of these forests. 

(f) Why is tropical rainforest also called evergreen forest?

Ans. The trees of tropical rain forests do not shed their leaves at a particular time of the year. So, these always appear green and are also known as evergreen forests.

Q. 2. Tick (✓) the correct option: 

(a) The world’s highest rainfall occurs in:

(i) Mumbai.

(ii) Asansol.

(iii) Mawsynram.

Ans. (iii) Mawsynram.

(b) Mangrove forests can thrive in:

(i) Saline water.

(ii) Fresh water.

(iii) Polluted water.

Ans. (i) Saline water. 

(c) Mahogany and rosewood trees are found in:

(i) Mangrove forests.

(ii) Tropical deciduous forests.

(iii) Tropical evergreen forests.

Ans. (iii) Tropical evergreen forests. 

(d) Wild goat and snow leopards are found in:

(i) Himalayan region.

(ii) Peninsular region.

(iii) Gir forests.

Ans. (i) Himalayan region.

(e) During the south west monsoon period, the moisture laden winds blow from:

(i) land to sea.

(ii) sea to land.

(iii) plateau to plains.

Ans. (ii) Sea to land.

Q. 3. Fill in the blanks:

(a) Hot and dry winds are known as _______blow during the day in the summers.

Ans. Loo or heat wave. 

(b) The states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu receive a great amount of rainfall during the season of _______.

Ans. Retreating monsoon.

(c) _______forests in Gujarat is the home of _______.

Ans. Gir, lions.

(d) _______is a well-known species of mangrove forests.

Ans. Sundari.

(e) _______are also called monsoon forests. 

Ans. Tropical Deciduous Forests.

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION 

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. What is the duration of south west monsoon season? 

Ans. The duration of south west monsoon season is from June to September. 

Q. 2. Define climate.

Ans. The climate is about the average weather conditions have been measured over many years. 

Q. 3. Which is the freezing cold area in Jammu and Kashmir?

Ans. The freezing cold area in Jammu and Kashmir is Drass sector or Kargil.

Q. 4. Name the five types of natural vegetation. 

Ans. The five types of natural vegetation are:

(a) Tropical evergreen forests.

(b) Tropical deciduous forests.

(c) Mountain vegetation.

(d) Thorny bushes.

(e) Mangrove forests.

Q. 5. During which season do cyclones develop in Bay of Bengal?

Ans. During winter season.

Q. 6. Name the wettest place in India. 

Ans. Mawsynram near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. 

Q. 7. Which part of India gets most of its annual rainfall in winters?

Ans. South-East coast of India.

Q. 8. Name two areas in India where tropical evergreen forests are found.

Ans. Andaman and Nicobar islands and parts of North-Eastern states. 

Q. 9. Which trees are commonly found in deciduous forests in India? 

Ans. Sal, Teak, Peepal, Neem and Shisham.

Q. 10. Name the type of vegetation found in the deltas of rivers Mahanadi and Godavari.

Ans. Mangrove Vegetation.

Q. 11. What type of vegetation is found in arid areas?

Ans. Thorn forests are found in arid regions.

Q. 12. Name a festival that promotes the plantation of trees.

Ans. Van Mahotsav. 

Q. 13. Why the wildlife is destroying?

Ans. Wildlife is destroying because of cutting of forests and hunting.

Q. 14. What are the characteristics of mangrove forests?

Ans. The characteristics of mangrove forests are:

(i) It can survive in saline water. 

(ii) It is found mainly in Sunderbans in West Bengal and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Q. 15. Which the place which receives world’s highest rainfall?

Ans. The place which receives the world’s highest rainfall is Mawsynram in Meghalaya. 

Q. 16. What is weather? Give examples. 

Ans. Weather is about day-to-day changes in temperatures. 

For example: Hot or cold, sunny or cloudy, windy or calm.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. What is weather? Name the major seasons recognised in India. 

Ans. Day-to-day changes in the atmosphere is called weather 

The major seasons recognised in India are:

• Winter: Cold weather season, December to February. 

• Summer: Hot weather season from March to May.

• Rainy: South west monsoon season from June to September.

• Autumn: Season of Retreating Monsoon from October to November.

Q. 2. What is the difference between South-West Monsoon season and season of Retreating Monsoons?

Ans.

Q. 3. State the climate of India. Name the factors which affect the climate of a particular place. 

Ans. India has a monsoon type of climate. India has broadly described as Monsoon type. The word Monsoon has been taken from the Arabic word ‘Mausim’ which means seasons. Due to India’s location in the tropical region most of the rain is brought by monsoon winds. Agriculture in India is dependent on rains. Good monsoons mean adequate rain and a good crop. 

The climate of a particular place is affected by its location, altitude, distance from the sea and relief.

Q. 4. Give four advantages of forests.

Ans. Four advantages of forests are:

(1) Plants absorb carbon-dioxide and release oxygen that we breathe. 

(2) The roots of the plants bind the soil. Thus they control soil erosion. 

(3) It provides us timber for furniture, fuel wood, fodder, medicinal plants and herbs, honey, lac, gum etc. 

(4) Forests are the natural habitat of wildlife.

Q. 5. Define climate.

Ans. It is the average weather or the regular pattern of weather conditions of a particular place over a period of time. 

Q. 6. Define monsoon.

Ans. Monsoon is taken from the Arabic word ‘mausum’ which means seasons. 

Q. 7. What do you know about loo?

Ans. Loo is hot and dry winds that blow during the day. These winds blow during the hot weather season.

Q. 8. Name the factors that determine the climate of a place. 

Ans. Factors that determine the climate of a place are: 

(a) Latitude.

(b) Altitude. 

(c) Distance from the sea.

(d) Prevailing winds.

Q. 9. Why is India’s climate referred to as Tropical monsoon climate? 

Ans. India’s climate is referred to as Tropical monsoon climate because it is influenced by monsoon winds. 

Q. 10. Why temperature is quite low in North India during winters?

Ans. Temperature is quite low in North India during winters because the sun rays do not fall directly in the region. 

Q. 11. Give another term for autumn season in India and also mention as to why is it called so. 

Ans. Autumn season in India is also known as season of retreating monsoons. It is called so as the winds move back from the mainland to the Bay of Bengal. 

Q. 12. What do you understand by natural vegetation? 

Ans. Natural vegetation refers to the plant life that grows naturally in a geographical region.

Q. 13. What are coniferous forests? Give two characteristics.

Ans. Coniferous forests are the cone-bearing evergreen trees found in high altitudes. 

Characteristics of these forests are:

(i) It is on the slope of main Himalayan ranges.

(ii) Forests are found between the height of 1800 m to 3500 m. 

Q. 14. Compare the characteristics between mountain vegetation and mangrove forests. Give two of its trees found in these regions.

Ans. (a) The characteristics between the mountain vegetation are: 

(i) A variety of small and big plants are found in the mountains,

(ii) They differ according to the variation in height.

Examples: Pine, Chir and Deodar. 

(b) The characteristics between the mangrove forests are:

(i) These can survive in saline water.

(ii) Sundari is a well-known species of trees in mangrove forests after which Sunderbans have been named.

Examples: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sunderbans in West Bengal.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. What are migratory birds? Give examples. Where they migrate from?

Ans. Migratory birds are those birds which migrate to our country in the winter season.

For example: Flamingo, Pelican, Siberian Crane, Duck, Stork, Corlew, Pintail.

Siberian Crane migrate from Siberia. These birds migrate in the month of December and stay till early March.

Q. 2. What are the advantages of forests? How can we save it from destroying?

Ans. Advantages of forests are: 

(a) They perform various functions.

(b) Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen that we breathe. 

(c) The roots of the plants bind the soil.

(d) It is necessary to control soil erosion. 

(e) It provides us timber for furniture, fuel, wood, fodder, medicinal plants, herbs, honey, lac, gum etc

(f) They are the natural habitats of wild life.

The forests can be saved because:

(a) Natural vegetation has been destroyed to a large extent because of the unnecessary cutting of trees.

(b) We should plant more and more trees and protect the existing one by making people aware of the importance of forests.

(c) Special programmes like Van Mahotsav is to involve more people in making our earth green.

Q. 3. How do forests play an important role in the existence of wildlife? Name some of the animals found in different forests. 

Ans. The forests play an important role in the existence of wildlife because:

(a) It is the home to a variety of wildlife. 

(b) India is rich in wildlife.

(c) Thousands of species of animals and a great variety of reptiles, mammals, amphibians, birds, insects and worms dwell in the forests.

Animals found in the different forests are:

(a) Asiatic lions are found in Gir forests in Gujarat.

(b) One horned rhinoceroses and elephants roam in the forests of Assam.

(c) Elephants are also found in Karnataka and Kerala. 

(d) Camels and wild asses are found in the Great Indian Desert and the Rann of Kuchchh.

(e) Bears, wild goats, snow leopards, etc. are found in the Himalayan region. In addition to all these there are the animals like nilgai, cheetal, monkey, jackal, wolf etc.

Q. 4. Describe the characteristics of Tropical Evergreen Forests.

Ans. Tropical Evergreen Forests have the following characteristics:

(a) These forests occur in the areas which receive heavy rainfall.

(b) Trees of these forests shed their leaves at different times of the year. Therefore, they always appear green and are also called evergreen forests.

(c) Important trees found in these forests are ebony, rosewood and mahogany.

(d) Andaman and Nicobar islands, parts of North-Eastern states and a narrow strip of the western slope of Western Ghats are home of these forests.

Q. 5. How are Thorn forests different from Mangrove forests.

Ans.

Q. 6. How are forests in the Himalayas classified.

Or

In the Himalayan region the natural vegetation changes with altitude.’ Explain the statement.

Ans. Forests in the mountains are distributed according to altitude. 

They can be described as follows:

(a) The foothills of the Himalayas are covered with tropical deciduous forests eg., Sal.

(b) In the subtropical hill vegetation, broad leaved evergreen trees such as Oak, Chestnut and Chir are found.

(c) At still higher altitudes, there is a belt of coniferous forests.e.g., Pine, Deodar, Silver Fir. 

(d) At the height of about 3,500 m and above, shrubs and grasses of alpine variety are found. 

Q. 7. What are tidal forests? Where are they found in India?

Ans. These forests are also known as mangrove forests. They can survive in saline water.

They are found mainly in sunderbans in West Bengal and in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Sundari is a well known species of trees in mangrove forests.

Q. 8. Define the following terms:

(a) National Park.

(b) Wildlife Sanctuary. 

(c) Bio reserves.

Ans. (a) National Park: It is a reserved area meant for preserving not only wildlife but also the natural vegetation and natural beauty. 

(b) Wildlife Sanctuary: It is a reserved area meant for the preservation and development of endangered species.

(c) Bio reserves: are areas meant for conservation of Biodiversity. It means different varieties of plants, animals and microorganisms found in a particular area. 

Q. 9. How can wildlife be conserved and protected?

Ans. Conservation of Wildlife:

(i) The government has set-up several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect and preserve these animals.

(ii) The efforts are not sufficient.

(ii) Each Indian has to contribute in this effort.

(iv) Most refuse to buy things made from any parts of the animal body.

(v) Check hunting and poaching.

(vi) Join hands with the government in observing the first week of October as the Wildlife Week and create awareness about the importance and need to conserve our forests and wildlife.

Q. 10. Write the types of vegetation of India. Write the characteristics and regions of each one of them.

Ans. Vegetation of India can be divided into five types: 

(i) Tropical evergreen forests.

(ii) Tropical deciduous forests.

(iii) Thorny bushes.

(iv) Mountain vegetation.

(v) Mangrove forests. 

(i) Tropical Evergreen Forests:

Characteristics:

(a) They occur in the areas which receive heavy rainfall.

(b) They are so dense that sunlight doesn’t reach the ground. 

(c) Many species of trees are found in these forests, which shed their leaves at different times of the year.

(d) They always appear green and are called evergreen forests.

Areas:

Andaman and Nicobar islands, parts of North-Eastern states and a narrow strip of the western slope of the Western Ghats are home of these forests. 

Trees: Mahogany, ebony and rosewood. 

(ii) Tropical Deciduous Forests: Characteristics:

(a) These forests are also called monsoon forests.

(b) They are less dense.

(c) They shed their leaves at a particular time of the year. 

Areas: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and parts of Maharashtra. Trees: Sal, teak, peepal, neem and shisham.

(iii) Thorny Forests: 

Characteristics:

(a) It is found in dry areas of the country.

(b) The leaves are in the form of species to reduce the loss of water.

Areas: Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Eastern slopes of Western Ghats and Gujarat.

Trees: Cactus, Khair, Keekar.

(iv) Mountain Vegetation:

Characteristics:

(a) A wide range of species is found in the mountains according to the variation in height.

(b) Increase in height, temperature falls. 

(c) At the height between 1500 meters and 2500 meters most of the trees are conical in shape.

Areas: Slopes of Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Trees: Chir, Pine and Deodar.

(v) Mangrove Forests.

Characteristics:

(a) These can survive in saline water.

(b) They are found mainly in Sunderbans.

Areas: West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Trees: Sundari is a well-known species of trees in mangrove forests.

Q. 11. Describe wildlife of India.

Ans. Forests are home to a variety of wildlife. There are thousands of species of animals and a large variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, insects and worms which dwell in the forests.

(a) The tiger is our national animal. It is found in the various parts of country. 

• Gir forests 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 Kachchh.

• Wild goats, Snow leopards, bears etc., are found in the Himalayas region. 

(b) India is equally rich in bird life:

• The peacock is our national bird. 

• Other common birds are parrots, pigeons, mynah, geese, bulbul and ducks.

• There are several hundreds of species of snakes found in India.

• Cobras and kraits are important among them. 

HIGH ORDER THINKING SKILLS

Q. 1. How the climate of a particular place is affected? Give reasons. 

Ans. The climate of a particular place is affected by:

(a) The climate is affected by its location, altitude, distance from the sea and relief.

(b) We experience regional changes in the climate of India. 

(c) Drass sector and Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir experience freezing cold.

(d) Bikaner and Jaisalmer in the desert of Rajasthan are very hot.

(e) Coastal places like Mumbai and Kolkata experience moderate temperature. They are neither too hot nor too cold. Being on the coast, these places are very humid. 

(f) Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the world’s highest rainfall. 

(g) Sometimes, in a particular year it might not rain at all in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

Q. 2. Why have the trees belonging to the thorn forests long roots and small leaves?

Ans. The trees belonging to the thorn forests have long roots and small leaves because the trees of these forests have small leaves to reduce water loss from the leaf surface and also have deep roots to draw water from the sub-soil. 

Q. 3. Why has Government taken steps to protect the wildlife. Discuss.

Ans. The Government has taken steps to protect the wildlife because due to deforestation and hunting several species of wildlife of India are disappearing rapidly. 

In order to protect them many sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves have been set-up. The Government has also started Project Elephant and Project Tiger to protect these animals..

We can also refuse to buy things made from parts of the bodies of animals such as their horns, fur, bones, skins and feathers. We observe every year to create awareness of conserving the habitats of the animal kingdom.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

Q. 1. Why are monsoon forests less dense than the evergreen forests? Name the trees of monsoon forests.

Ans. The monsoon forests are less dense than the evergreen forests because Tropical Deciduous Forests or the Monsoon forests shed their leaves at a particular time of the year. Important trees of these forests are teak, sal, peepal, shisham and neem.

Q. 2. How does distance from the sea determine the climate of a place?

Ans. The distance from the sea determines the climate of a place because: 

(a) The climate of places on the coastal is moderated by land and sea breezes that originate due to the difference in heating and cooling of land and sea.

(b) Therefore, Kolkata, Chennai, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram have neither hot nor cold climate. 

(c) Place far away from the sea like Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur experience an extreme climate ie., very warm summers and very cold winters

Q. 3. Why do we use forests? 

Ans. There are many uses of forests:

(a) The forests are extremely important for our survival. 

(b) Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

(c) One-third of the land surface should be covered with forests in order to maintain balance between gasses. 

(d) Roots of trees bind the soil together and prevent soil erosion.

(e) They control floods, provide useful things like wood, fruits, oils, dyes, gum, paper pulp and medicines.

Thus, forests act as a natural habitat for wildlife.

PICTURE BASED QUESTIONS 

Q. 1. Identify the picture and answer the following questions that follow:

(a) Which type of vegetation is shown in picture?

Ans. The picture is of Tropical Deciduous Forests. 

(b) Name the important trees found in these forests. 

Ans. The important trees found in these forests are sal, teak, peepal, neem and shisham.

(c) Name the important states where these forests found. 

Ans. These forests are found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand. Chattisgarh, Odisha and in parts of Maharashtra.

Q. 2. Identify the picture and answer the following questions:

(a) Which picture is given above?

Ans. It is the picture of wildlife.

(b) Identify two of its animals and mention the parts of India where they are found?

Ans. (i) Tiger-Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand. 

(ii) Elephant-Kerala and Karnataka.

(c) Name the two projects started by the Government to protect animals.

Ans. The two projects started by the Government to protect animals are:

(i) Project Tiger. 

(ii) Project Elephant.

(d) Mention two ways to conserve wildlife. 

Ans. Two ways to conserve wildlife are:

(i) We can refuse to buy things made from the parts of the bodies of animals such as their bones, skins etc.

(ii) By making sanctuaries and parks and ban on hunting, poaching etc.

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

l. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:

Tick (✓) the correct option:

(a) Elephant is common in:

(i) Himalayan Region.

(ii) Peninsular Region.

(iii) Thar Desert.

Ans. (ii) Peninsular Region.

(b) The most important species of tropical deciduous forests are __________.

(i) Teak and Sal.

(ii) Pine and Fir.

(ii) Ebony and Mahogany.

Ans. (i) Teak and Sal.

(c) Mangrove forests grow in the: 

(i) Sunderbans.

(ii) Himalayas.

(iii) Deserts.

Ans. (ii) Sunderbans.

(d) The factor determining the climate of a place:

(i) Latitude.

(ii) Sea.

(iii) Buildings.

Ans. (i) Latitude.

Il. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

(a) _________ is the other name of the monsoon forests.

Ans. Tropical deciduous forests: 

(b) The central part of the Deccan plateau has _________ forests.

Ans. Thorny. 

(c) The climate of India is broadly described as _________ type.

Ans. Tropical monsoon. 

(d) _________ is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger.

Ans. Sundarbans.