What is the meaning of flora and fauna? How is India rich in its fauna? Explain. [CBSE 2016
The term ‘flora’ is used to denote plants and the term ‘fauna’ is used to denote animals. India has approximately 90,000 of animal species. The country has about 2,000 species of birds. There are 2546 species of fish, which account for nearly 12% of the world’s stock. It also shares between 5 and 8 per cent of the world’s amphibians, reptiles and mammals. India is the only country in the world that has both tigers and lions. In the rivers, lakes and coastal areas, turtles, crocodiles and gharials are found. Peacocks, Pheasants, ducks and cranes are some of the birds inhabiting the forests and wetlands of the country.
