Key Highlights
- India is divided into ten biogeographic regions, each delineated by climate, landform, vegetation, and wildlife.
- The zones range from the icy Trans‑Himalayan belt to the tropical Western Ghats and the extensive Deccan Plateau.
- Collectively, these regions host a large proportion of the nation’s endemic and threatened species.
- Human pressures such as climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity threaten the ecological integrity of all zones.
Detailed Insights
Trans‑Himalayan Region: Occupying roughly 5.6% of the country, this high‑altitude, arid zone includes Ladakh and parts of Jammu‑Kashmir. It shelters iconic species such as the Snow Leopard and Black‑necked Crane, while supporting a sparse but highly specialized flora.
Himalayan Zone: Covering about 6.4% of India, the Himalayas host dense temperate forests and alpine meadows. Notable fauna include the Himalayan Tahr, Bharal, Ibex, Markhor, Musk Deer, and the endangered Hangul.
Indian Desert Zone: Spanning 6.6% of the land, this arid expanse stretches across Rajasthan and Gujarat’s salt flats. Adapted mammals like the Indian Wolf, Desert Cat, and various bustard species persist in isolated vegetated patches.
Semi‑arid Zone: Encompassing 16.6% of India, this transitional belt links deserts to deciduous forests. It features patchy shrubland, dry grasslands, and supports predators such as lions, jackals, and wolves.
Western Ghats: A narrow mountain chain along the western coast, representing 4% of the nation’s area. Recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, it harbours over 1,500 endemic plant species and mammals like the Lion‑tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, and Malabar Grey Hornbill.
Deccan Plateau: The largest zone (≈42% of India) includes the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and others. Its semi‑arid rain‑shadow environment sustains deciduous forests, elephants, Nilgai, Gaur, and barking deer.
Gangetic Plain: Extending over 10.8% of the country, this fertile alluvial belt supports intensive agriculture and the Terai‑Bhabar forests, which provide habitat for Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, and Asian Elephants.
North‑East Region: Accounting for 5.2% of India, this area links the Himalayas with the peninsular plateau. It is a hotspot for endemic flora and fauna, with many species confined to isolated hill ranges such as the Khasi Hills.
Islands: Comprising only 0.3% of the land, the Lakshadweep and Andaman‑Nicobar archipelagos host tropical evergreen forests, coral reefs, and unique birds like the Narcondam Hornbill.
Coastal Region: Stretching 5,423 km along the shoreline (≈2.5% of land), this zone includes mangroves, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and seagrass beds that underpin rich marine ecosystems.
Key Concepts
- Biogeography: The scientific discipline that examines the spatial distribution of organisms and ecosystems across the Earth and the processes shaping those patterns.
- Biodiversity hotspot: A region that harbours exceptionally high numbers of endemic species but is under severe threat from human activities.
- Endemic species: Organisms that occur naturally only within a defined geographic area and nowhere else on the planet.
- Rain shadow: A dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range where precipitation is significantly reduced.
- Conservation challenge: Any anthropogenic factor—such as climate change, habitat loss, or resource overexploitation—that jeopardises the long‑term survival of species and ecosystems.