Climate, Soil, Natural Vegetation And Animals Of Karnataka

march, April, May

Reason: the climatic seasons of Karnataka are classified into four parts: the SUMMER SEASON (March to May), RAINY SEASON (June to September), PERIOD OF RETREATING MONSOONS (October to November) and WINTER SEASON (December to February).

RAINY SEASON

Reason: the rainy season is also known as South-West Monsoon winds. In this season, the Western Ghats get the moisture laden winds which blow from the Arabian Sea resulting in heavy rainfall.

BLACK SOIL

Reason: this type of soil has the ability to retain moisture for many days and since it is also rich in nutrients, a variety of crops can be grown in this soil like cotton, jowar, sunflower, chilli, paddy etc.

RECEIVING MORE THAN 250 CMS RAINFALL ANNUALLY.

Reason: areas that receive more than 250 cms of rainfall annually have evergreen forests. Due to heavy rain they are tall and dense and can be found in parts of Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Hassan etc.

Uttara Kannada.

Reason: the recorded forest area in Karnataka state is 43.4 lakh sq. km and it occupies seventh place in forest resources in the country where Uttara Kannada district has the maximum forest area.

The climatic season of Karnataka over a period of one year can be classified into four parts:

(a) The Summer Season (March to May): during this season, it is very hot, dry and sultry. After the month of March the temperature rises uniformly all over the state and then it reaches its maximum during the month of April and May.

(b) The Rainy Season (June to September): during this season the Western Ghats get the moisture laden winds which blow from the Arabian Sea and it results in heavy rainfall.

(c) The Period of Retreating Monsoons (October to November): this is also known as North-East Monsoon Season. In this season due to the decrease in temperature and increase in pressure, the winds start blowing from the North-East to the South-West which is dry as they blow from the land.

(d) The Winter Season (December to February): during this season, the temperature, humidity and rainfall are low. This season is also called the ‘tourist month of the state’.

The rainy season in Karnataka is from the month of June to September. This season is also known as the season of South-West Monsoon Winds because in this season the Western Ghats get the moisture-laden winds which blow from the Arabian Sea resulting in heavy rainfall. But the rain gets reduced as it moves eastwards because the Eastern Maiden is in the rain-shadow area. During this season, in the entire state the temperature and relative humidity are very high. There is a cloudy atmosphere throughout the state and it is during this season, Karnataka receives about 80% of rainfall which helps in the cultivation of Kharif Crops.

The soils of Karnataka can be classified into four types:

(a) RED SOIL: this type of soil is obtained from the weathering of granite and gneiss and it contains iron oxides because of which it is red in colour. This soil is rich in iron, lime and salt and it also contains a small amount of humus. Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, Millets, and Pulses etc. which are rain-fed crops can be grown in this soil.

(b) BLACK SOIL: this kind of soil is formed by the weathering of basalt rocks. It is rich in aluminium, magnesium and oxides of iron. Because of this it is black in colour. This soil has the ability to retain moisture for many days. Since this soil is rich in nutrients, variety of crops can be grown in this soil like cotton, jowar, sunflower, maize etc.

(c) LATERITE SOIL: this soil is found in areas which receive heavy rainfall and have a high temperature. This soil becomes soft during the rainy season and dries up during summer, leading to the formation of laterite soil. This rock is used for construction purposes. Crops which can be grown in this type of soil are cashew, coffee, tea, cardamom etc.

(d) COASTAL ALLUVIAL SOIL: this type of soil is formed along the coast due to the deposition of alluvium and sediments which are carried by the rivers and sea waves. It is very rich in organic nutrients. The crops which grow well in this type of soil are paddy, cashew, coconut, banana etc.

The natural vegetation of Karnataka has been classified into four types on the basis of rainfall, relief features and types of soils:

(a) EVERGREEN FORESTS: these kinds of forests can be found in areas which receive an annual rainfall of more than 250 cms. These trees are tall and dense because of which they are impenetrable. Trees which grow in these forests are rosewood, mahogany, Kino, teak etc. and different types of spices which grow here are cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and medicinal herbs.

(b) DECIDUOUS FORESTS: after winters, there is a lack of moisture in the soil due to which the trees shed their leaves which reappear in spring time. This kind of forests can be seen in areas receiving 60 to 120 cms of rainfall annually. In these forests, teak, kino, mahogany, neem etc. grow in plenty.

(c) MIXED FORESTS: when both evergreen and deciduous forests grow together, they form the mixed forests. Areas which receive 120 to 150 cms of annual rainfall have this kind of forests. Here, teak, kino, mahogany, axle etc. grow in abundance.

(d) GRASSLANDS AND SHRUBS: areas which receive less than 60 cm annual rainfall have this kind of vegetation. Because of less rainfall and dry weather there is short grass, thorny shrubs and scrub vegetation.

The state of Karnataka has a rich diversity of plant species which play an important role in preserving the ecological balance. This forest is the habitat of wild animals like tigers, lion, cheetah, wild buffaloes etc. these forests are also the places of tourism and entertainment. They help in controlling environmental pollution. In the forest of Karnataka sandalwood is a special tree which is grown here. Perfumes, objects of intricate designs, soaps and medicines are manufactured from sandalwood which is popular all over the world because of which they are not only supplied to other parts of the country but is also exported to foreign countries. This is the reason because of which Karnataka is also known as the LAND OF SANDALWOOD.

The wild animals which can be found in the forests of Karnataka are:

(a) Leopards

(b) Boar

(c) Bison

(d) Stag

(e) Deer

(f) Bear

(g) Porcupine etc.

1) Adichunchanagiri—PEACOCK SANCTUARY

Located in Mandya district of Karnataka. It is a peacock sanctuary. It was declared a sanctuary in 1981.

2) Mandagadde—BIRD SANCTUARY

Mandagadde is a bird sanctuary in Karnataka’s Shimoga district. Mandagadde is an island in Karnataka. The bird sanctuary is located on it.

3) Nagarhole—NATIONAL FOREST

Nagarhole is a national forest in Karnataka’s Kodagu and Mysore district. It is a national park also. It is in western ghats.

4) Sandalwood tree—DECIDUOUS FORESTS

Sandalwood tree is deciduous forest. Characteristics of deciduous forest are- they shed their leaves in one season and grows fresh leaves. Found in middle latitude regions with a temperate climate.

Bird sanctuaries in Karnataka are:

1. Ranganathittu bird sanctuary

2. Attiveri bird sanctuary

3. Bankapura peacock sanctuary

4. Bonal bird sanctuary

5. Ghataprabha bird sanctuary

6. Gudavi bird sanctuary

7. Magadi bird sanctuary

8. Mandagadde bird sanctuary

9. Adichunchanagiri bird sanctuary

10. Ramanagar vulture sanctuary

11. Kaggaladu heronry

12. Kokkake Bellur pelicanry

Wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka are:

1. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary

2. Mookambika wildlife sanctuary

3. Adichunchanagiri wildlife sanctuary

4. Arabithittu wildlife sanctuary

5. Attiveri wildlife sanctuary

6. Bhadra wildlife sanctuary

7. Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary

8. Biligiri rangaswamy temple wildlife sanctuary

9. Ntahmagiri wildlife sanctuary

10. Cauvery wildlife sanctuary

11. Chincholi wildlife sanctuary

12. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary

13. Daroji bear wildlife sanctuary

14. Gudavi wildlife sanctuary

15. Gudekote sloth wildlife sanctuary

16. Malai mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuary

17. Melkote temple wildlife sanctuary

18. Mookambika wildlife sanctuary

Much of the area of my district NOIDA (U.P) is covered by a deep layer of alluvium spread by the slow-moving rivers of the Ganges system. The soils in the southern part of the state are generally mixed red and back or red to yellow.

The vegetation of Uttar Pradesh consists mostly scrub. Forests are generally concentrated in the southern uplands. Animals of the region include tigers, leopards, elephants, wild boars and crocodiles as well as pigeons, doves, wild ducks, partridges etc.