HIRANANDANI FOUNDATION SCHOOL, THANE

SUBJECT – GEOGRAPHY
India: Climate, Natural Vegetation and
Wildlife
STD- VIII
__________________________________________________________
I. Answer the following in 10-20 words:

1. Define the term ‘kalbaisakhi’

Ans- Kalbaisakhi is thunderstorms accompanied by short heavy rainfall.
It occurs in West Bengal and Assam in summer season.
2. What type of climate is found in India? State its characteristic
features.
Ans- India has a tropical monsoon type of climate.
Its characteristic features are: -
 High Temperature almost throughout the year
 Dry winters in most parts of the country
 Seasonal reversal in wind direction during the year.
3. Name the regions of India that receive more than 200 cm annual rainfall.
Ans- The regions of India that receive more than 200 cm annual rainfall
are:
 The Western Coastal Plains
 The Western slopes of the Western Ghats
 Most of the Northeastern States.

4. What is the impact of the monsoonal rainfall in the socio cultural

unity
of India?
Ans- Monsoonal rainfall plays a significant role in the socio cultural unity of
India. South – West Monsoon Winds and the associated rains provide a
rhythmic cycle of seasons. Monsoonal rains help to grow major crops in
India. Many festivities revolve around the monsoonal rain and the
agricultural calendar. The entire country celebrates these festivals together.
The monsoonal rainfall serves as a unifying force in India, shaping its socio-
cultural fabric, fostering co-operation and strengthening the bonds among its
diverse communities.

5 Why are Hill stations cooler than the plains?

Ans- Hill stations are cooler than the plains because temperature
decreases with an increase in height. For every 166m rise in altitude,
there is a decrease of 1°C in temperature according to normal lapse rate.
I. Answer the following questions in 50-60 words:
1. What are Western Disturbances? Which part of India is affected by them?
Ans- The Western Disturbances are the temperate cyclonic storms
originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain
to the Indian subcontinent. The north – west parts of India mostly Punjab
and Haryana experience light winter rain due to Western Disturbances
and the Western Himalayas receive snowfall.
2. Explain the role played by forests in protecting our environment.
Ans- Forests play an important role in protecting our environment:
 Forests help in maintaining the ecological balance of the environment.
 They absorb carbon dioxide and relese oxygen, so purify air.
 They provide the soil with the necessary humus content.
 They prevent soil erosion by binding the soil with tree roots.
 They check floods by holding rainwater in the subsoil.
 They increase the moisture content of the air through transpiration,
help to bring more rainfall.
3. Mention some important measures for conservation of forests.
Ans- Some important measures of forest conservation are as follows:
 Large-scale afforestation programmes should be undertaken.
 Rampant cutting of trees should be checked.
 The practice of shifting cultivation should be stopped.
 Forests fires should be prevented.
 Unrestricted quarrying and mining activities should be checked.
 Forested areas should not be converted into farmlands, industries, and
township.

III. Answer the following questions in 75-100 words.

1. Describe how the two branches of the south - west monsoon winds
bring rainfall to various parts of India.
Ans- The Indian Peninsula divides the South - West Monsoon winds into
two branches:
 Arabian Sea branch
 Bay of Bengal branch
 The Arabian Sea branch strikes the Western Ghats. So the western
slopes of the Western Ghats and adjoining Western Coastal Plains
experience heavy rainfall.
 The eastern slopes of the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau receives
very little rain from this branch.
 The state of Rajasthan does not get much rain because the Aravalli
Range lies parallel to the Arabian Sea branch of South – West
Monsoon Winds and does not obstruct them.
 The Bay of Bengal branch first strikes the Arakan Mountains of
Myanmar and turns towards the Ganga Brahmaputra delta.
 A part of it gets obstructed by the Garo and Khasi Hills and causes
very heavy rainfall on the Southern slope which is windward slope of
the Garo – Khasi Hills.
 The winds then get deflected to the left and bring rainfall in the Ganga
basin.
 In Punjab Plains both the branches of South – West Monsoon Winds
meet and get obstructed by the Himalayas to receive less rainfall.

2. Describe the retreating monsoon season of India.

 The month of October and November are known as the Season of the
Retreating of South – West Monsoon Winds because the monsoon
winds gradually withdraw from the Indian subcontinent.
 It is a transition season from rainy to winter season.
 By October, as the temperature start to drop, the low-pressure zone in
northern India becomes weak and cannot attract the South – West
Monsoon Winds.
 The retreating South – West monsoon season is marked by clear skies
and a rise in temperature.
 This hot and humid weather is very oppressive and is called the
October heat.

*******************************************************