⁠Natural Vegetation and Wildlife: Overview, Importance, Co-Dependency, Threats and Conservation

Natural vegetation and wildlife are not just beautiful features of the landscape. They are the living foundation of our planet's health; purifying air, regulating climate, maintaining soil fertility, supporting agriculture and providing the resources and inspiration that human civilisations have depended on since the beginning of time.

Table of Contents

• What is Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
• Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of India
• Relationship between Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
• Importance of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
• Threats to Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
• How can we Conserve Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
• Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

What is Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Natural vegetation refers to the plant community which has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. It is also called virgin vegetation. There are various factors determining the type of natural vegetation of a particular region including soil type, topography, climatic conditions and more. 

Wildlife refers to the species of living organisms such as animals, birds, reptiles and others that live in a natural habitat without domestication. They independently survive in the natural ecosystem by finding their own food and shelter. Wildlife plays an important role in our environment and ecosystem from balancing the food chain to producing food through pollination.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of India

India ranks 10th in plant diversity globally and 4th in Asia. It is among the top most places on earth with natural vegetation and plant diversity. There are around 47,000 plant species and 89,000 species of animals in India. Its rich variety of fish and other aquatic animals lives in both fresh water and marine water. Let’s learn more about the natural vegetation and wildlife of India.

The natural vegetation of India is divided into different types based on the factors such as climate, rainfall and geography. Tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, tropical thorn forest, mangrove forest and mountain vegetation are the five major natural vegetations found in India. This rich natural vegetation of India supports diverse wildlife including mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians. With four of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots, India is home to 172 globally endangered species. The Western ghats, eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma region and Sundaland are the four major biodiversity hotspots of India. 

Relationship between Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Natural vegetation and wildlife are deeply linked with each other as they share a complex relationship of mutual dependencies. They support the existence of each other: while natural vegetation provides habitat, food and shelter, wildlife helps in reproduction of food through pollination and seed dispersal. Together they build the foundation of different ecosystems on earth. 

Importance of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

• Ecological Importance: Natural vegetation is important for soil preservation, biodiversity conservation, water and climate regulation. Natural vegetation offers habitats to all wildlife while pollination and seed disbursal by wildlife supports the growth of natural vegetation. Both of them are important for maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
• Cultural Importance: Natural vegetation and wildlife are central to many cultures including India. They are a part of our identity holding enormous significance in mythology and art. Trees such as peepal and banyan are believed to be sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism.
• Economic Importance: Natural vegetation and pollination plays a crucial role in our economy by supporting food production through pollination of seeds, controlling pests, regulating water and maintaining fertility of soil.

Threats to Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Various human activities pose a big threat to our natural vegetation and wildlife. Poaching, deforestation, urbanization and pollution are factors that destabilize our ecosystem and lead to loss of biodiversity.

• Habitat Fragmentation: Human activities such as construction of highways, agricultural farms or land transformation leads to fragmentation of wildlife habitat.
• Deforestation: Selective logging or cutting trees in forest can lead to destruction of natural vegetation and loss of wildlife.
• Invasive species: Some shrubs and other invasive species preventing the growth of native trees and plants can impact the natural vegetation eliminating the natural habitat of wildlife.

How Can We Conserve Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Conserving natural vegetation and wildlife is important for regulating the water cycle, maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Habitat restoration, policy enforcement, designated protected areas, species recovery programmes and community involvement are some of the ways to conserve natural vegetation and wildlife.