Biogeographic Zones in India

Introduction

India, a mega-diverse country, is home to 10 distinct biogeographic zones, each characterized by unique ecosystems, flora, and fauna. These zones reflect the country’s varied climatic conditions, topography, and biodiversity. The classification was proposed by Rogers and Panwar in 1986 for conservation planning. Below is an in-depth exploration of these zones.

Biogeographic Zones

1. Trans-Himalayan Zone

• • Location: Covers Ladakh, Lahaul-Spiti, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Characteristics: This cold desert region lies north of the Great Himalayan range and accounts for 5.6% of India’s landmass. It features barren landscapes, sparse alpine vegetation, glaciers, and rocky terrains.
  • Biodiversity: Notable species include snow leopards, black-necked cranes, wild goats, and sheep. The fragile ecosystem is highly sensitive to environmental changes.

2. Himalayan Zone

• • Location: Extends across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and parts of Sikkim.
  • Characteristics: Covers 6.4% of India’s geographical area with diverse ecosystems ranging from subtropical forests to alpine meadows and glaciers.
  • Biodiversity: Endangered species such as musk deer, hangul (Kashmir stag), bharal (blue sheep), and Himalayan tahr thrive here.

3. Desert Zone

• • Location: Includes the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab.
  • Characteristics: Covers 6.6% of India’s area with xerophytic vegetation, sand dunes, saline lakes, and extreme arid conditions.
  • Biodiversity: Hosts species like caracals, desert cats, wolves, Great Indian Bustard, and Houbara Bustard.

4. Semi-Arid Zone

• • Location: Spans parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Characteristics: Acts as a transition zone between the desert and Western Ghats. Features shrublands, grasslands, dry deciduous forests.
  • Biodiversity: Includes species like chital (spotted deer), sambar deer, jackals, caracals, and lions (restricted to Gujarat).

5. Western Ghats

• • Location: Runs parallel to India’s western coast across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala.
  • Characteristics: A biodiversity hotspot with tropical evergreen forests covering 4% of India’s area.
  • Biodiversity: Endemic species like lion-tailed macaque, Malabar civet, Nilgiri tahr; reptiles like Travancore tortoise; and birds like Malabar grey hornbill are found here.

6. Deccan Plateau

• • Location: Covers central and southern India including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Characteristics: Largest biogeographic zone (42% of India’s area) with dry deciduous forests and scrublands.
  • Biodiversity: Species like gaur (Indian bison), elephants, swamp deer thrive here alongside agricultural landscapes.

7. Gangetic Plain

• • Location: Encompasses fertile plains along the Ganges-Brahmaputra rivers across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal.
  • Characteristics: Rich alluvial soils support wetlands and diverse vegetation over 10.8% of India’s area.
  • Biodiversity: Includes Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, Ganges river dolphin.

8. Northeastern Zone

• • Location: Includes Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam.
  • Characteristics: A biodiversity hotspot with subtropical forests transitioning into montane forests.
  • Biodiversity: Home to one-horned rhinoceros (Assam), red panda (Arunachal), clouded leopards.

9. Coastal Zone

• • Location: Covers coastal regions along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
  • Characteristics: Features mangroves (e.g., Sundarbans), estuaries, coral reefs.
  • Biodiversity: Rich marine life includes dugongs (sea cows), olive ridley turtles; mangroves support unique ecosystems.

10. Islands

Lakshadweep Islands

• • Located in the Arabian Sea; characterized by coral reefs and lagoons supporting marine biodiversity.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• • Situated in the Bay of Bengal; feature tropical rainforests with endemic species like Andaman wild pig.

Significance of Biogeographic Zones

India’s biogeographic zones are essential for understanding biodiversity distribution and planning conservation strategies. Challenges such as habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change threaten these zones. Protecting them ensures sustainable development while preserving India’s rich natural heritage.

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