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ICSE Class 8 Geography Question 2 of 12

Asia: Climate, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife — Question 2

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Question 2

Compare and contrast the summer and winter conditions of Asia.

Answer
Summer conditions in AsiaWinter conditions in Asia
During summer, the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer, the main landmass of Asia develops low pressure. The surrounding seas being cooler, develop high pressure. Since the winds blow over the oceans, they pick up a lot of moisture and give heavy rainfall in South Asia. These are known as southwest monsoon winds as they blow from southwest to northeast.During winter, the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn, Central Asia becomes extremely cold and develops high pressure. The surrounding oceans are relatively warm and have low pressure over them. The winds start blowing from land to sea. The winds are dry and do not bring rain. These cold winds blowing southward are checked by the Himalayas in South Asia. During winter, northeast monsoon winds blow from northeast to southwest. They pick up moisture from Bay of Bengal and give rainfall to eastern coast of India. In the south western part of Asia, western disturbances originating in the Mediterranean Sea bring winter rainfall.
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ICSE Class VIII | Academic Year 2026-2027
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Geography | Chapter 3: Natural VegetationWeb Content

Natural Vegetation — Interactive Study Guide

Vegetation Types — Memory Card

Remember: “Every Mother Drives To Mountain”

(Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Dry Deciduous, Thorn, Mountain) — in decreasing order of rainfall

TypeRainfallKey TreesWhere in India
Tropical Evergreen>200 cmMahogany, ebony, rosewoodWestern Ghats, NE India, Andaman
Moist Deciduous100–200 cmTeak, sal, bambooEastern Western Ghats, NE plains
Dry Deciduous70–100 cmNeem, peepal, palasCentral India
Thorn & Scrub<75 cmBabool, cactus, khejriRajasthan, Gujarat
MangroveCoastal tidalSundari, rhizophoraSundarbans, Gujarat coast
Mountain/AlpineVariesDeodar, pine, firHimalayas

Himalayan Vegetation Zones

As you go UP the Himalayas, vegetation changes:

  1. Up to 1000 m: Tropical Deciduous (teak, sal)
  2. 1000–2000 m: Wet Temperate (oak, chestnut)
  3. 2000–3000 m: Coniferous (deodar, pine, fir)
  4. 3000–4000 m: Alpine Meadows (grasses, flowers)
  5. Above 4000 m: Tundra → permanent snow

Conservation Quick Facts

Protected AreaStateFamous For
Jim Corbett NPUttarakhandFirst national park (1936); Bengal Tiger
Kaziranga NPAssamOne-horned Rhinoceros
Gir NPGujaratOnly home of Asiatic Lion
Sundarbans NPWest BengalRoyal Bengal Tiger; largest mangrove

Key Conservation Movements

  • Chipko Movement (1973): Uttarakhand; villagers hugged trees to prevent cutting
  • Van Mahotsav: Tree planting festival in first week of July every year
  • Project Tiger (1973): Launched to protect Bengal tigers

Test Yourself

  1. Why do evergreen forests remain green throughout the year? Answer: Because they receive over 200 cm rainfall and trees shed leaves at different times (not all at once), so the forest always appears green.
  2. What are pneumatophores? Answer: Breathing roots of mangrove trees that stick up above the waterlogged soil to absorb oxygen.
  3. Why are deciduous forests commercially more important than evergreen forests? Answer: Because they have fewer species mixed together, making it easier to harvest commercially valuable trees like teak and sal.
  4. What percentage of India should be under forests according to the National Forest Policy? Answer: 33%

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